Crispy Tofu in Lemon Sauce
Welcome to our kitchen!
Today we are making Crispy Tofu with a Sweet and Tangy Lemon Sauce; an easy 20 minute vegan recipe for beginners!
Start by marinating your tofu for maximum flavor. Then, coat each piece with a light, vegan-friendly batter and fry it until it's beautifully crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
The highlight of this dish is the lemon sauce—zesty, sweet, and packed with a tangy punch that complements the crispy tofu perfectly. This recipe is high in protein, easy to prepare, and perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a wholesome family dinner. Ideal for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking for a healthy, satisfying meal. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, this simple dish will bring a burst of flavor to your table.
Ingredients:
Firm Tofu - 350g
Light Soy Sauce - 1 tbsp
Rice Wine - 1/2 tbsp
Sesame Oil - 1 tbsp
Cooking Oil - 1/4 cup
BATTER
Corn Starch - 1/4 cup
Flour - 3 tbsp
Water - 1/2 cup
LEMON SAUCE
Lemon Zest - 1 lemon
Lemon Juice - 3 tbsp
White Vinegar - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tbsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Soy Sauce - 1 tbsp
Corn Starch - 1 tbsp
Water - 1/2 cup
COOKING PROCESS:
TOFU PREPARATION
Begin by pressing the firm tofu block with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Marinate the tofu with soy sauce (1 tbsp), rice wine (or Chinese cooking wine - 1/2 tbsp) and sesame oil (1 tbsp). After marinating, lightly coat the tofu with 1/4 cup of cornstarch.
Cut tofu into bite-size pieces
Prepare a batter by mixing 1/4 cup of cornstarch, 3 tablespoons of flour, and 1/2 cup of water. Coat the tofu pieces evenly with the batter.
Heat oil (1/4 cup) in a pan or wok and fry the tofu in batches (to avoid overcrowding) for 2-3 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Transfer the fried tofu to a wire rack to drain excess oil and cool. Once the tofu reaches room temperature, the outer layer will become crispy.
Place the crispy tofu on a serving plate and prepare the lemon sauce to drizzle over the top.
LEMON SAUCE
Start by zesting one whole lemon, carefully peeling only the yellow outer layer to avoid the bitter white pith. Slice the zest into thin strips.
In a bowl, combine the lemon zest with 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix everything together until smooth.
Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a wok over medium heat. Pour in the lemon sauce mixture and stir continuously.
Once the sauce begins to simmer, taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed. After 3-4 minutes, the sauce will become glossy and thicken.
Remove the sauce from the heat and pour it directly over the crispy tofu
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve and enjoy!
For detailed instructions, please watch the full video on our YouTube channel.