Soy Sauce Tofu

Sliced tofu on a bowl of rice with chopsticks, chopped green onion, and soy sauce beside.

5 from 1 vote

Featuring tofu simmered in a rich, umami sauce, this soysauce tofu is delicious and brimming with flavor! Ready in 30 minutes withminimal prep, it is the perfect weeknight dinner recipe.

Prep Time5

Cook Time25

Total Time30

Course: Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: servings

Calories: 110kcal

Author: Meesha

Equipment

cast iron skillet or non-stick pan
tofu press

Ingredients

1 block extra-firm tofu drained and pressed
3 whole star anise
1 inch ginger sliced
1 stalk green onion cut into 2 inches pieces
2 cups water
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce use gluten-free if needed
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce *
2 tablespoons shaoxing wine or Chinese rose wine
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch optional

Instructions

Slice the tofu into 4 large chunks.
Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet/non-stick pan. Fry star anise, ginger, and ginger for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3 whole star anise, 1 inch ginger, 1 stalk green onion
Add water and seasonings to the pan, then bring the mixture to a light simmer.
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce , 2 tablespoons shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 cups water
Gently slide in tofu cubes. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping tofu cubes over every 5 minutes to ensure that the flavors can properly infuse tofu.
Thicken sauce for drizzling (optional) - Take ½ cup of sauce, and simmer it with cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) until thick and glossy.
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Slice your soy sauce tofu, and serve it over rice or noodles. You can either drizzle the thickened sauce on the tofu or serve it on the side.

Notes

*Dark soy sauce - A thicker soy sauce with a nice, caramelized flavor, which gives dishes a dark brown hue. Substitute it with more soy sauce in a pinch.

Helpful tips

Customize this recipe – Although this recipe calls only for star anise, you could add other spices, such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, or bay leaves.
Ways to use leftover sauce – Do not discard it; instead, add it to stir-fries or soups. Its deep, umami, and savory flavor will elevate any dish.
Make tofu crispy – Drain the tofu, then slice it into cubes. Toss them in 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch, then spray with oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes in an oven preheated to 200 °C (400 °F).

Storing leftover - Soy sauce tofu is great for meal prep, as it gets more flavorful the longer it sits in the marinade. You can refrigerate it for up to 5 days.

Nutrition