Satisfying Lemongrass Tofu is unfussy to make with fresh lemongrass, onion, garlic and soy sauce. It’s especially well-seasoned, simple to make, and quite versatile. Dependable served on a bed of rice with stir fried vegetables, in salads, or even sliced in sandwiches!

This Lemongrass Tofu is a new regular speedy and straightforward recipe! Crispy pan-fried tofu is coated in a savory lemongrass sauce and can be served in a variety of ways. It’s a satisfying, straightforward, and well-seasoned option for your after-work dinners. Everything comes together in one pan in only about 20 minutes to help you get dinner on the table as quickly as possible.

Why you’ll love this dish

Simple and straightforward. There’s nothing complicated about this dish. You only need one pan to cook both the tofu and sauce. Plus, this dish can be ready to enjoy especially short!
So good. It’s standout how simple, pantry-staple ingredients can result in such big flavors here. You don’t need anything complicated to cook this tofu recipe, yet it turns out so incredibly flavor-packed.
Versatile. You can serve lemongrass tofu in so many different ways! Keep it simple and add it to a veggie bowl with rice, pair it with stir fry veggies or make a banh mi sandwich.

Ingredients needed

This lemongrass tofu is made with simple ingredients and packed with flavor thanks to the kitchen-made sauce! Here’s what you’ll need:

Sesame oil. Gives the sauce a welcome toasty, nutty flavor.
Extra firm tofu. Be sure to use “extra firm”. This ensures that it will hold together and become crisp, instead of crumbly.
Onion & garlic. Sautéed onion and garlic adds flavor-packed aromatic flavor.
Lemongrass. Provides a mild citrus taste with a hint of ginger.
Soy sauce. Adds great umami flavor to the sauce.

Ingredients for making tofu and sauce divided into small portions.

How to cook this dish

This is an unfussy, yet truly savory tofu recipe that comes together in under 30 minutes. Simply follow the steps below and you’ll have a satisfying dinner in no time at all! Scroll down to the recipe card for the full printable recipe.

Prep the tofu. Press the tofu according to THESE detailed directions. Next, cut it into strips or other shapes, that can be found in my tofu guide.
Cook the tofu. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add in 1 tablespoon of the oil. Once hot, add in the tofu pieces and sauté on each side until the tofu begins to brown and is crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Set the tofu aside and return the skillet to the heat.
Make the sauce. Add in another tablespoon of oil and once hot, add in the onion, garlic, and lemongrass and sauté for 7 minutes.
Combine & serve. Add the tofu back to the skillet and pour the soy sauce over the top. Mix to combine and cook for 3 additional minutes. Serve and ENJOY!

Expert tips

This lemongrass tofu recipe truly is a breeze to make, but here are some tips to make sure it’s reliable every time!

This dish is go-to served immediately, as the tofu will loose some of it’s crispiness as it sits.
Be sure to cut your tofu in similar-sized cubes, so they cook evenly.
To cook this gluten free, sub the soy sauce with Tamari, a Japanese soy sauce that is less salty, darker in color, and more savory than regular soy sauce. Coconut aminos will also work.
Looking to lower calories or carbs? Try serving this over cauliflower rice instead of old-style rice!

Frequently asked questions

Storage tips

Add any leftovers to an airtight container and place it in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Rewarm in a skillet on the stovetop or pop it in the microwave to reheat. Reheating tofu in the skillet will crisp it up the dependable.