This Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce is a flavorful, plant-based dish that combines crispy tofu with a rich, spicy coconut sauce. The dish is quick to make, coming together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. The coconut sauce is infused with sambal oelek and red curry paste, offering customizable heat, while the tofu is perfectly crispy. It’s a vibrant and satisfying dish that pairs beautifully with rice or noodles.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Tofu:

  • 20–22 oz super firm or extra-firm tofu

  • 2 tbsp canola oil or any neutral oil

  • Pinch of kosher salt

• For the Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil (or any neutral oil)

  • 1 cup thinly sliced shallots

  • 2 tbsp minced ginger

  • 1 cup full-fat canned coconut milk (shaken well)

  • 3–4 tbsp sambal oelek (adjust for spice level)

  • 4 tsp red curry paste

  • 1 ½ tsp coconut or brown sugar

  • 1 tsp ground coriander (optional)

  • 1 tsp kosher salt (adjust as needed)

• Optional Garnishes:

  • Thinly sliced scallions

  • Red pepper flakes

  • Toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Prepare the Tofu: If using extra-firm tofu, press it to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes. For super-firm tofu, pat it dry and cube it directly.

2. Pan Fry the Tofu: Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 12–15 minutes, turning to ensure all sides are crispy and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Cook the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook for 4–5 minutes, until soft. Add ginger and cook for another 30 seconds. Stir in coconut milk, sambal oelek, red curry paste, sugar, and salt. Simmer for 3–4 minutes.

4. Combine and Serve: Turn off the heat and add the crispy tofu to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Garnish with scallions, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. Serve over jasmine rice or noodles, and enjoy!

Nutrients

• Calories: 568 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 31g

• Protein: 20g

• Fat: 35g

  • Saturated Fat: 13g

• Cholesterol: 0mg

• Sodium: 1170mg

• Potassium: 479mg

• Fiber: 4g

• Sugar: 7g

This dish is full of rich, bold flavors, with customizable spice levels to suit any taste. The crispy tofu with the creamy coconut sauce makes it a delightful vegan meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

Why Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce is a Perfect Meal

This dish is the ideal option for anyone looking for a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal. The crispy tofu provides a satisfying bite, while the creamy coconut sauce infuses the dish with layers of depth and heat. It’s a plant-based dish that doesn’t compromise on flavor, making it perfect for those on a vegan or vegetarian diet, but it’s also a great option for anyone who loves bold flavors.

The coconut milk creates a rich, velvety sauce, while the sambal oelek and red curry paste offer a punch of heat and spice, which you can adjust to your preference. The tofu adds protein, and the dish can be paired with jasmine rice or noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.

How to Make Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce

This recipe is quick to prepare and doesn’t require a lot of steps, making it a perfect go-to dinner for busy nights. Here’s how to make it:

Prepare the Tofu

Start by preparing your tofu. If using extra-firm tofu, press it to remove excess moisture. If you’re using super-firm tofu, simply pat it dry and cube it directly. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes to ensure they cook evenly.

Pan Fry the Tofu

Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will help the tofu become crispy on all sides. Cook the tofu for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure that each side is golden and crispy. Once done, remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.

Cook the Sauce

In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp of coconut oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 4-5 minutes, until they soften and become translucent. Add the minced ginger and cook for an additional 30 seconds, allowing the ginger to become fragrant.

Next, stir in 1 cup of full-fat canned coconut milk, 3–4 tbsp sambal oelek, 4 tsp red curry paste, 1 ½ tsp coconut or brown sugar, and 1 tsp kosher salt. Let the sauce simmer for about 3-4 minutes, allowing all the ingredients to blend together and thicken slightly.

Combine and Serve

Once the sauce is ready, turn off the heat and add the crispy tofu to the skillet. Toss the tofu in the sauce, ensuring that each piece is well-coated with the creamy, spicy coconut sauce.

Serve the dish over jasmine rice or noodles for a complete meal. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions, red pepper flakes, and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. The garnish adds a touch of freshness and a mild crunch, complementing the creamy tofu perfectly.

Nutritional Information for Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce

Each serving of Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce contains approximately 568 calories. The dish provides 31g of carbohydrates, mainly from the rice or noodles served alongside, and 20g of protein from the tofu. The dish is also rich in healthy fats, with 35g of fat, including 13g of saturated fat from the coconut oil and coconut milk.

This meal is high in potassium, offering 479mg per serving, and provides 4g of fiber, contributing to a healthy digestive system. It also contains 7g of sugar, mainly from the coconut milk and the honey used in the sauce, which adds a touch of sweetness to balance the heat.

The dish also offers important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A (for skin health) and vitamin C (for immune support), as well as iron and calcium, making it a well-rounded meal for those on plant-based diets.

Serving Suggestions for Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce

While this dish is delicious on its own, it pairs well with a variety of sides to complete the meal. For a more substantial meal, you could serve it alongside steamed broccoli, roasted vegetables, or a side salad for extra greens. The richness of the coconut sauce pairs well with the freshness of a cucumber salad or pickled vegetables, which will add some acidity to balance the creamy sauce.

If you want to make this meal even more filling, serve it with a side of quinoa or brown rice for added texture and fiber. The jasmine rice or noodles soak up the sauce wonderfully, creating a satisfying and comforting meal.

Customization and Variations

This recipe is highly customizable based on your dietary preferences or ingredient availability. For a spicier version, feel free to increase the amount of sambal oelek or red curry paste in the sauce. If you want a milder dish, reduce the spice and focus more on the creamy coconut flavor.

You can swap the tofu for other plant-based proteins such as tempeh or seitan. If you prefer crispy tofu but want a different cooking method, you could also bake the tofu cubes at 400°F for about 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy. Alternatively, for a quick cooking version, use tofu puffs or extra-firm tofu without pressing, cutting down on prep time.

For a low-carb version, serve this dish with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice instead of regular rice or noodles.

Conclusion

The Spicy Tofu with Creamy Coconut Sauce is an exciting and flavorful plant-based meal that brings together the perfect balance of spicy, creamy, and tangy flavors. The crispy tofu, creamy coconut sauce, and customizable spice levels make it a dish that everyone will enjoy, whether you’re a tofu lover or new to plant-based meals. Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, offering a satisfying and nutritious meal that’s full of bold, rich flavors.