Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl, a plant-based protein-packed brown rice bowl with crispy ginger soy tofu, roasted Japanese yam, edamame, and shaved carrots. An easy yet flavorful healthy tofu bowl recipe!
If you’ve been following us here at Fork in the Road for long, you’ll know we love vegetable-packed grain and legume bowls. From farro to lentils to rice, we can’t get enough of veggie bowls for easy weeknight dinners (and leftover lunch the next day).
This vegan Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl is a new favorite recipe on repeat in our weeknight menu. Fiber-packed brown rice is topped with crispy tofu, roasted Japanese yams, crunchy edamame, shaved carrots and is topped with a deliciously easy ginger soy sauce. Clocking in at under 40 minutes to make, this recipe is a perfect weeknight meal that is perfect for lunch leftovers the next day.
HOW TO GET PERFECTLY CRISPY TOFU
I love crispy tofu, but I haven’t always felt that way. Raise your hand if you’ve had high hopes for tofu and were then served wet, mushy white cubes with absolutely no flavor (I have!). Never fear, because after trial and error I have found the perfect trick for getting crispy tofu every time.
The secret: time, heat, and patience.
- Time: Getting perfectly cooked crispy tofu takes time. Give yourself about 15-20 minutes for browned and perfect crunchy tofu.
- Heat: Start the heat on medium-low to first dry out the tofu, and then add a bit of heat at the end to brown and get the crispy texture you crave.
- Patience: Try not to move the tofu too frequently or it will not brown well. Have patience and let the tofu cubes slowly brown and get crispy.
GINGER SOY, YOUR NEW FAVORITE STIR FRY SAUCE
As you’ve probably already realized, I’m a fan of big and bold flavors and this ginger soy sauce recipe fits my criteria for a flavor punch. It starts with a low-sodium soy sauce base and then minced ginger and a bit of sugar are added (sugar is to help the sauce thicken once it’s reduced–completely optional, but does help thicken sauce). Add a bit of sesame oil and you have the perfect drizzle for stir frys and bowls, like this Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl.
GINGER SOY TOFU BOWL: TIPS, TRICKS & TOOLS
This vegetable tofu bowl recipe is a very easy and does not require special equipment, however the following are products and tools I have used and recommend.
- Cast iron skillet: I’ve said it many times before, but a cast iron skillet is a MUST for your foundational kitchen toolkit. The cast iron of this skillet helps to brown the tofu and provides it with a great texture.
- Low-sodium soy sauce or Tamari: I love soy sauce as much as the next person, but it’s important to keep portion sizes in mind as most soy sauces are very high in sodium. That’s why I use low-sodium soy sauce or low-sodium tamari.
- Extra firm tofu: Forget soft, mushy tofu. Extra firm tofu is necessary for crispy tofu.
- Japanese Shichimi Togarashi: I was gifted this shichimi togarashi spice blend by a good friend and it has quickly become one of my favorite spice jars!
Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl
Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl, a plant-based protein-packed brown rice bowl with crispy ginger soy tofu, roasted Japanese yam, edamame, and shaved carrots. An easy yet flavorful healthy tofu bowl recipe!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Ingredients
- 1 sweet potato, sliced and baked
- ½ teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 8 oz super firm tofu, sliced into cubes
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 cups brown rice, cooked
- 1 cup edamame, cooked
- 1 cup carrots, shaves
Instructions
- To cook potatoes: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss potato slices in oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 30-40 minutes or until golden brown, flipping every 10 minutes to cook all sides. Set aside.
- Heat sesame oil in medium-low heat. Add tofu and let sit without moving for 3-5 minutes, or until brown. Stir and let tofu brown again. Repeat until tofu cubes have dried and begin to become crispy.
- Meanwhile, heat soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil over medium heat in a small saucepan until mixture starts to boil. Add a small amount of sauce to pan to let tofu soak up liquid. Reduce saucepan heat and cook until sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- To build bowl: Add brown rice, edamame, carrots and sweet potato to bowl. Add tofu and ginger soy sauce on top. Enjoy!
Notes
Leftovers and Storage: This Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl is great for leftovers and will keep for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
Dietary Preference and Allergen Information: This recipe is entirely plant-based and is appropriate for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians alike. This recipe contains soy and may contain gluten if using soy sauce; substitute Tamari or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos in place of soy to be gluten-free.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 7
- Protein: 16
- Cholesterol: 0
LOVE THIS GINGER SOY TOFU BOWL?
Loving this Ginger Soy Tofu Bowl recipe? Try another of my favorite grain and lentil bowls, like this Za’atar Crispy Chickpea and Leek Salad and this Easy Lentil Salad with Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes. And check out all of our Japan-inspired recipes.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to let us know! Leave a comment, rate the recipe, and tag your photo #FITRfood on Instagram!
This bowl is too pretty to eat. I love that you give such precise instructions for ensuring that your tofu is crispy and has some good texture. I also love that you used sesame oil to add extra depth of flavor.
Almost too pretty…but I definitely still ate it! 😉 I’ve been trying to make the perfect crispy tofu for years and I feel I’ve finally found the perfect technique so I just had to share. Thanks for stopping by!
The flavors here sound so delicious! I love the way you shaved the carrots!
Yum, this bowl sounds amazing. I recently posted a very similar recipe, except no tofu and a mixture of millet and quinoa instead of brown rice. Thanks for sharing those tofu frying tips!
That sounds delicious! I can’t get enough of bowls lately, love playing around with a mixture of seasonal veggies and different grains. I’ll have to try millet!
I’m raising my hand high and waving it. I’ve been served so many flavorless soggy tofu that I could write a book about it. Your tofu looks stupendous! What great flavor combinations! And it’s a pretty bowl to boot. I can’t wait to try it!
I swear I’ve been trying to find the perfect way to make tofu for years and finally found the trick that works for me. To get it really flavorful I also add the sauce once it’s dry and the tofu sucks up the flavor. Works every time!
Sounds delicious!
And I like your very clear directions for the tofu – more people need to know this!
Thank you! Yes, I agree. It took me years before I figured it out, but I was also just told about a technique for baking as well so I’ll update this post if it’s good advice!
We love tofu. Another great recipe to try. Thanks for sharing!
Of course! I’m happy to share, this has quickly become a favorite in our house.
I used to be very skeptical about tofu and I never really liked it until I visited my daughter in Hanoi. When I was there we cooked some Vietnamese dishes at a friend’s house and the crispy tofu was outstanding. Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
★★★★★
These do look like a fantastic weeknight meal – I’d be looking forward to the leftovers for lunch, too! Love your clear instructions for getting the tofu nice and crispy. I think many people could be persuaded over to the tofu-loving side if they had it really well-prepared like this!
★★★★★
Exactly! I love crispy tofu that I eat in restaurants, but I didn’t know how to make it at home. This is my tried and true technique and I hope it helps some people choose plant-based proteins over meat.
Love everything about this recipe, from the crispy tofu to the ginger soy sauce, the brown rice, the edamame!, and the fact that it is a lovely bowl of goodness!
“A lovely bowl of goodness” is always the goal!
You had me at ‘crispy tofu’. 🙂 I bet each mouthful of this is like an explosion of flavors!
Thanks for this recipe!
★★★★★
If it’s not an explosion of flavors, then I’m not interested.
So many colors in this tasty looking tofu bowl! I’ll definitely have to try it out!
★★★★★
I’m not one for boring looking food or boring flavored food. Give me the drama! And all of the flavors.
I’m not a big fan of tofu, but if I were ever going to try it again, THIS would be the recipe – it looks so good!
I used to feel the same way, but this recipe will reform you!
That is totally my kind of meal and I can literally see myself making this again n again. Love the addition of Japanese spice in it.
★★★★★
I’ll sneak in spice however (and wherever) I can.