30 minute black pepper tofu has all of the fiery, umami-qualities you love about the classic takeout meal. Serve over rice with broccoli or bok choy for an easy, flavorful dinner.
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Why You'll Love this Black Pepper Tofu
Since 2018, this has been a reader-favorite tofu recipe on my blog. It also happens to be the first tofu recipe I cooked for my (now) husband when we first started dating.
Quickly followed by my Tofu Tikka Masala, which is also a must-make!
Beyond its ease and 30-minute time stamp, this tofu recipe:
- Comes together in a single skillet.
- Delivers BIG umami flavor with minimal ingredients.
- Can also be made with chicken or shrimp.
Garnishing with a fresh herb like basil or cilantro right before serving adds a layer of freshness and pop of color.
I love serving this saucy tofu over steaming white rice (such as Jasmine or Basmati) alongside my Perfect Sautéed Broccoli.
And if you should wind up with leftovers, they reheat like a dream up to four days later.
The Ingredients
- Tofu: Be sure to use EXTRA-FIRM tofu, which has the least amount of moisture to press out. This leads to the crispiest texture.
- Corn Starch: Coating the tofu in a light dusting of cornstarch imparts ultra-crispy texture once the tofu is pan-fried. (I use the same technique in this Orange Tofu recipe!)
- Black Pepper: This recipe calls for one full tablespoon of black pepper, which may seem like a lot, but keep in mind it's the headliner ingredient. Using this much black pepper does add spiciness, however it's not too overpowering.
- Aromatics: A mix of ginger, shallots, and garlic create the aromatic backbone of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce: Use lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari to prevent the sauce from becoming too salty.
- Sugar: To help balance the spice of the black pepper.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Substitutions/Additions:
- Use Chicken or Shrimp: If you're not a tofu fan, swap it for 12 ounces of boneless, skinless chicken thighs or medium shrimp.
- Add Veggies: Toss some green beans, mushrooms, or cabbage into the mix to punch up the fiber.
- Make Less Spicy: Scale the black pepper back to 2 teaspoons if you're spice-averse.
How to Make Black Pepper Tofu:
Step 1: Prepare Tofu
Press excess moisture out of the tofu using either paper towels or a kitchen towel. Slice into 1 inch cubes and and toss with cornstarch.
Step 2: Prepare Black Pepper Sauce
Combine soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and ginger in a small bowl or glass measuring cup; stir with a whisk.
Step 3: Cook Tofu and Aromatics
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook tofu until golden and crispy on all sides. Transfer to a plate and reduce heat to medium.
Next, cook garlic, shallots, and chile until soft. Add tofu back to the pan, along with black pepper sauce and green onion. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, tossing often to fully coat tofu.
Recipe FAQs
In short, black pepper sauce is a punchy combo of aromatics, black pepper, and a kick of heat. It's Chinese in origin, and traditionally prepared with chicken
Coating the tofu in a light dusting of cornstarch imparts ultra-crispy texture once the tofu is pan-fried.
Another trick is patting the tofu dry before cooking to keep it soft on the inside while the outside gets golden and crisp.
And, of course, make sure you use EXTRA-firm tofu. It will produce the crispiest cubes by far.
Refrigerate leftover tofu in an airtight container for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, sauté in a skillet over medium until warm for the best texture.
More 30 Minute Tofu Recipes to Try:
If you give this Black Pepper Tofu recipe a try, be sure to snap a picture and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Also, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates.
30 Minute Black Pepper Tofu
Equipment
- Large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 (14-oz.) block extra-firm tofu
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 3 Tbsp. neutral cooking oil, divided
- 5 Tbsp. lower-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cracked black pepper
- ½ tsp. freshly grated ginger
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 1 small Fresno chile seeds and ribs removed, thinly sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onion
- White rice and fresh basil for serving
Instructions
- Press excess moisture out of the tofu using either paper towels or a kitchen towel. Slice into 1 inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Toss with cornstarch until tofu is well coated.
- Combine soy sauce, sugar, black pepper, and ginger in a small bowl or glass measuring cup; stir with a whisk. Set aside.
- Heat 2 Tbsp. of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add tofu; cook for 7 to 8 minutes, turning to brown all sides, until golden-brown and crisp. Transfer tofu to a plate and reduce heat to medium.
- Add remaining 1 Tbsp. oil to pan, along with garlic, shallots, and chile (if using); cook 2 minutes, stirring often, until aromatic.Add tofu back to pan, along with black pepper sauce and green onions; cook 1 to 2 minutes, tossing often, until the sauce fully coats tofu.Serve over rice and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- Be sure to press as much moisture out of tofu as possible. This will create the crispiest texture.
- For LESS spice: Omit Fresno chile and scale black pepper back to 2 teaspoons.
- Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: For the best texture, reheat tofu in a skillet over medium heat. You can also microwave individual portions, however the tofu will be softer.
Lisa Wilk
Love this recipe. I used tapioca flour instead of corn starch, because that's what I had on hand. I also added roasted veggies on top. Delicious.
Courtney Barrett
This was *chef’s kiss* wowww. I made a rash decision to drizzle some agave on top and it was a nice touch. This tofu recipe is very unique and so so good. New staple!
Chello
My family really enjoyed this recipe. We paired it with the cucumber and edamame salad and some rice. I appreciate the leftovers reheating instructions. Sometimes I don’t know how a recipe will hold up for meal prep so it’s great to know ahead.
Jamie Vespa
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
MB
Made this for dinner last night. This was so good! My husband absolutely loved it. He was surprised that it was tofu.
Jamie Vespa
Hi MB - I'm so glad the recipe was a hit! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
Amy M
We had this tonight. We left out the pepper (couldn’t find one) and added broccoli for some color. Turned out great. Thank you!
Barn
Granulated sugar. Hmmm
Not a healthy ingredient. We are an over-sweetened culture.
Inbal
Love it!
Instead of 1 tbsp black pepper and sugar, I used 1 tsp black pepper and 2 tsp sugar. Also, I used 1/2 tsp chili flakes. It turned out really good! 🙂
Amy
Outstanding! We lived in China for years, and this recipe took us back! Hubs LOVED it, and even the kids said it was the best tofu they’ve ever had (they don’t normally like tofu). Will make again, Thanks!
Cameron M.
We are obsessed with this recipe!! On repeat!
Jamie Vespa
I'm so glad you love this one!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!
ERIN
Very delicious! I love the level of spice and saltiness. Comes together very quick.
Mallory S.
This was SO delicious!! I have been impressed with all of the recipe I have tried from your site so far. Cheers from Canada!
Jamie Vespa
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, my friend! Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and review!
Diana Keetz
A favorite of ours!!
Jamie Vespa
So glad you enjoy this one, Diana!
Joanne Robertson
Absolutely delicious. I’ve never made a tofu dish before, but this was a hit with my husband and I. We’re heading to more plant based eating and we were missing some Asian flavours, and this was just perfect. I used maple syrup because I have no sugar in the house and it was a fine replacement.
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Ro
To make it diabetic friendly, I’d cook coliflower to serve with this mouth watering dish.
L
Like so many of your recipes this was amazing. Already planning to make it again next week and thinking to add in broccoli. My husband is still a meat eater so he grilled pork chop and used the sauce and loved
It. Thank you!
Jamie Vespa
Woohoo! I'm so glad the recipe was a hit, Lauren! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review.