Delicious Lemongrass Tofu is easy to make with fresh lemongrass, onion, garlic and soy sauce. It’s super flavorful, simple to make, and very versatile. Perfect served on a bed of rice with stir fried vegetables, in salads, or even sliced in sandwiches!

Lemongrass tofu served over rice. this recipe

This Lemongrass Tofu is a new favorite quick and easy 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, easy, and flavorful option for your weeknight dinners. Everything comes together in one pan in just about 20 minutes to help you get dinner on the table as quickly as possible.

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Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Simple and easy. There’s nothing complicated about this recipe. You only need one pan to cook both the tofu and sauce. Plus, this dish can be ready to enjoy super quick!
  • So tasty. It’s amazing how simple, pantry-staple ingredients can result in such big flavors here. You don’t need anything complicated to make this tofu recipe, yet it turns out so incredibly delicious.
  • 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 homemade sauce! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Sesame oil. Gives the sauce a wonderful 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 delicious 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 make this recipe

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Make the sauce. Add in another tablespoon of oil and once hot, add in the onion, garlic, and lemongrass and sauté for 7 minutes.
  4. 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!
Tofu cooking in a large skillet.

Expert tips

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

  • This dish is best 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 make this gluten free, sub the soy sauce with Tamari, a Japanese soy sauce that is less salty, darker in color, and more flavorful than regular soy sauce. Coconut aminos will also work.
  • Looking to lower calories or carbs? Try serving this over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice!

Frequently asked questions

What is lemongrass?

Lemongrass is an herb with a lemony scent. The culinary herb is produced from the stalk of the lemongrass plant. The leaves are often used to make medicine and the oil is often used in aromatherapy. It can be found in the produce department of most grocery stores. The taste is a little lemony with a hint of ginger. If you’re new to this vegetable, learn more about lemongrass here.

What flavors go well with tofu?

Since tofu is naturally flavorless and takes on the taste of the meal, the flavor options for this plant-based food are endless! You can use your choice of spices, like cayenne pepper, chili powder, curry, and garlic. It also pairs well with many different sauces and sides.

How do you press tofu without a tofu press?

While tofu presses are pretty nifty, you don’t really have to use one. Simply place the tofu on a plate lined with a few layers of paper towels. Put more paper towels on top of the tofu, place a cutting board or tray on it, and set a weight on top of that. For weight, you can use a cast iron pan, canned goods, or a heavy book. Let it drain for 30-60 minutes. See my full guide on pressing tofu.

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 best. 

Lemongrass tofu served over rice with veggies.

More tofu recipes to try

As usual, PLEASE let me know if you make this dish and how you like it! You can come back here and leave a comment or tag me on instagram (@foodwithfeeling).

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Lemongrass tofu served over rice.

Lemongrass Tofu

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  • Author: Brita Britnell
  • Total Time: 26 minutes
  • Yield: serves 2
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Delicious Lemongrass Tofu is easy to make with fresh lemongrass, onion, garlic and soy sauce. It’s super flavorful, simple to make, and very versatile. Perfect served on a bed of rice with stir fried vegetables, in salads, or even sliced in sandwiches!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, divided
  • 15oz of extra firm tofu, drained and PRESSED + cut into strips (or other shapes like THESE)
  • 1/4 of a small onion, finely diced (about 1/4 cup)
  • 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 stalk of lemongrass, cleaned and finely chopped (I recommend removing about half of the outer leaves as they’re typically drier and less flavorful)
  • 3 tablespoons of soy sauce

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. Add in another tablespoon of oil and once hot, add in the onion, garlic, and lemongrass and sauté for 7 minutes.
  3. 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!

Notes

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 best.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 21 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian