Crispy Sesame Tofu Fried Rice (Printable)

Golden-crisp tofu meets aromatic fried rice in this quick 40-minute weeknight favorite featuring soy-sesame-ginger flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Crispy Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil
04 - Salt to taste

→ Fried Rice

05 - 3 cups cold cooked jasmine or long-grain rice, preferably day-old
06 - 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small onion, finely diced
09 - 2 scallions, sliced with whites and greens separated
10 - 2 tablespoons neutral oil

→ Soy-Sesame-Ginger Sauce

11 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
15 - 1½ tablespoons maple syrup or honey
16 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce, optional

→ Garnish

17 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
18 - Extra sliced scallion greens

# How To Make It:

01 - Toss tofu cubes with cornstarch and salt until evenly coated. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and crispy, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, maple syrup or honey, and sriracha if using. Set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons oil. Sauté onion and scallion whites for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in thawed vegetables and cook for another 2 minutes.
04 - Add cold rice to the skillet, breaking up clumps with a spatula. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until heated through.
05 - Return crispy tofu to the skillet. Pour sauce over everything and toss well to coat evenly. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Transfer to plates or bowls and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and extra scallion greens.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Budget-friendly meal using pantry staples and leftover rice
  • Perfect balance of crispy tofu, fluffy rice, and colorful vegetables
  • Aromatic sauce with the ideal blend of umami, sweetness, and zing
  • Ready in just 40 minutes for a quick weeknight dinner
  • Easily customizable to what you have on hand
02 -
  • Use day-old rice from the refrigerator - fresh rice contains too much moisture and will become mushy
  • Don't skimp on pressing the tofu - the drier it is before coating, the crispier it will become
  • Cook ingredients in stages to prevent overcrowding the pan, which ensures proper browning
  • Break up any clumps of rice with your spatula before adding other ingredients
  • For extra flavor, try adding a dash of five-spice powder to the sauce
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