This Crispy Teriyaki Tofu with Cauliflower Rice has a sweet and savory sticky teriyaki sauce over crispy tofu and cauliflower rice.
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This Crispy Teriyaki Tofu with Cauliflower Rice is one of my favorite ways to eat tofu. The tofu is really crispy, and the sauce is sweet and savory - just what you would expect from a teriyaki sauce.
I love to eat it with cauliflower rice so that I get in more veggies and less carbs than I would with regular rice.
If you have ever had tofu at an Asian restaurant, you may have fallen in love with their crispy tofu. I assume that they deep fry it because it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Since I don't eat a lot of deep-fried foods, it is a special treat to order it.
This crispy teriyaki tofu tastes like restaurant-style tofu without deep frying it. I used tapioca flour to achieve the texture that I wanted, which works quite well.
Other recipes to try are my Vegan Spaghetti Squash with Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce, Lentil and mushroom Shepherd's Pie, and my Easy Tofu Meatballs with Asian Sauce.
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❤️ Why You'll Love It
- It is sweet and savory.
- It is healthy and satisfying.
- The tofu is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside like you would get at a restaurant.
🧾 Ingredients
- Cauliflower: When I originally published this recipe I used fresh cauliflower that I riced in the food processor. When I republished this recipe I used store-bought frozen riced cauliflower. Both work, but store-bought riced cauliflower is a lot easier and less messy. You could also use regular rice.
- Olive oil: For cooking the cauliflower rice.
- Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.
- Extra firm tofu or firm tofu: When I originally published this recipe I used extra firm tofu packed in water found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Then later I used firm tofu. Both work.
- Tapioca flour: For coating the tofu to make it crispy and thickening the teriyaki sauce. When I originally published this recipe I used cornstarch, but have found out since that I am intolerant to corn. You can use either. If you use cornstarch for the sauce, you will only need half the amount listed.
- Vegetable oil: For frying the tofu.
- Tamari: I used gluten-free low-sodium tamari because I like to control the amount of sodium. You could also use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos.
- Mirin: Adds a sweet tangy flavor. You could use rice vinegar with extra brown sugar instead.
- Brown sugar: Adds sweetness. You could use coconut sugar (which I used when I republished this recipe), white sugar or even maple syrup.
- Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
- Ginger: Adds a spicy flavor.
- Water
- Green onion and sesame seeds (optional): For garnish. You could also use cilantro.
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
📖 Variations / Additions
- Broccoli
- Red pepper
- Snow peas
- Mushrooms
- Cabbage
- Bok choy
- Carrots
- Quinoa
- Brown or white rice
- Rice noodles
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Put cauliflower into a food processor. Pulse until you get a rice consistency. Add to a pan with olive oil. Cook until tender.
Step 2: In a small bowl combine tapioca flour and water. Whisk out clumps. Set aside.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine tamari, sugar, mirin, minced ginger, and minced garlic. Cook at 30-second interval in the microwave until the brown sugar dissolves.
Step 4: Drain and press tofu. Slice into cubes. Dredge the tofu in tapioca flour.
Step 5: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet. Place coated tofu in the pan and cook on both sides until crispy.
Step 6: Add the teriyaki sauce and the tapioca mixture to the pan.
Step 7: Cook until the sauce thickens. Serve over tofu and cauliflower rice.
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
Cauliflower rice is raw cauliflower that has been chopped into small pieces that are the same size as rice. Cauliflower rice can be made in a food process or grated by hand.
This gluten-free teriyaki sauce is made with tamari, mirin, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, tapioca flour, and water.
Other Vegan Asian-Inspired Recipes
If you tried this Crispy Teriyaki Tofu with Cauliflower Rice Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
There's no need to order takeout when you can easily make this vegan teriyaki tofu at home!
I originally posted this recipe on November 30, 2016. I added new photos and text when I republished it.
📋 Recipe
Crispy Teriyaki Tofu with Cauliflower Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
Cauliflower Rice
- 1 head cauliflower broken into large pieces (4 cups after being riced)
- drizzle of olive oil
- salt and pepper
Tofu
- 14 ounces extra firm tofu drained and pressed
- 5 tablespoons tapioca flour
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Teriyaki Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium gluten free tamari
- ¼ cup mirin
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 4 teaspoons tapioca flour
- 4 teaspoons water
- 1 green onion chopped and divided
Instructions
Cauliflower Rice
- Put cauliflower in food processor. Pulse until you get a rice consistency.
- Drizzle olive oil into a pan. Heat on the stove on medium heat. Add riced cauliflower and salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Teriyaki Sauce
- In a small bowl combine tamari, mirin, and brown sugar.
- Heat in the microwave until sugar dissolves. Add the white and light green parts of green onion and garlic. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, add tapioca flour and water. Whisk to dissolve. Set aside.
Tofu
- Slice drained and pressed tofu into cubes or triangles. Dredge in tapioca flour. Heat enough vegetable oil in a pan to cover pan. Add tofu. Cook on both sides until crispy and browned.
- Add the teriyaki sauce and the tapioca mixture to the pan. Stir to combine. Simmer until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.
- Serve over crispy tofu and cauliflower rice. Top with dark green parts of green onion.
Notes
Nutrition
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*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
katie says
I love tofu! Yummmm
Maggie Unzueta says
I love tofu. Will need to make your recipe soon. 🙂
Kiley Smith says
I love tofu and am always looking for new ways to incorporate it into family meals! I will definitely be trying this recipe!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
This looks so delicious! I love tofu with teriyaki sauce. Great idea to serve it with cauliflower rice!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Amy!
Lauren says
This looks amazing I am obsessed with the dishes you create! Pinned!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Lauren, you are so kind!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Willow this looks SO SO SO nom! I have a package of tofu in my fridge I keep meaning to make but haven't yet. This is the PERFECT recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Chrissa! I hope you like it!