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This flavor-packed savory lime tofu is pan-fried until crispy and simmered in a sweet and sour sauce for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. It hits all the right notes and is ready in just 30 minutes!
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Why You’ll Love Lime Tofu
Gone are the days of bland and lackluster tofu! It’s time to elevate your tofu game with this surprisingly simple but flavor-packed marinated and sauteed tofu recipe that’s a great variation to my tried-and-true favorites like quick teriyaki tofu stir-fry, and sticky sesame tofu.
This tofu marinade uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand: soy sauce and lime juice, further balanced and enhanced with a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup, some lightly spicy black pepper, and onion. Serve with rice or noodles and veggies for a simple, protein-dense, satisfying, meat-free mid-week dinner.
You may also enjoy flavor-packed pan-fried garlic tofu, buttery lemon tofu and asparagus, General Tso’s tofu, or easy lemon basil tofu.
Ingredient Notes
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
Recipe Variations
- Sesame oil: Replace the neutral oil with sesame oil for a toasty, nutty flavor.
- Garlic: I prefer fresh or jarred minced garlic, but garlic powder works in a pinch.
- Ginger: Add minced ginger for depth to the tofu marinade recipe.
- More spice: Pepper adds subtle spiciness. However, boost it with finely sliced chili, red pepper flakes, chili paste, or chili sauce (like sriracha) for chili lime tofu.
- To garnish: Sesame seeds and green onion or cilantro.
How to Make Soy Lime Tofu
Step 1: First, if you haven’t already, drain and press the tofu (for 30 minutes either with a tofu press or wrapped in a kitchen towel beneath a heavy cast-iron skillet or several books). Then, pat dry and slice into ½-inch strips (or cubes). Next, combine the soy sauce, lime juice, and pepper in a small bowl and set aside. Also, peel and slice the onion.
Step 2: Next, heat the oil in a large skillet/pan over medium heat. Add the tofu and brown sugar and mix until coated, then sauté for about 10 minutes, flipping every 2-3 minutes, until golden-brown all over.
Alternatively, add the sweetener to the sauce and pan-fry the tofu as-is or gently dusted with cornstarch for crispier edges.
Step 3: Stir in the onion and cook until translucent (about 3 minutes). Finally, add the lime soy sauce to the pan and simmer for a few minutes until the tofu has had a chance to soak up the marinade and the liquid has almost fully evaporated.
FAQs
While It’s not necessary, marinating the tofu in soy sauce or the entire marinade for 1-4 hours (30 minutes minimum – up to 24 hours total) will allow the flavor to permeate the tofu, for even better flavor.
Bake or air fry the tofu until crispy (at 400F/200C for 10-15 minutes in air fryer or 25-30 in oven, flipping halfway) before pan-frying it with the sauce. OR marinate it in the sauce, pat it dry, then air fry/bake it.
Toni’s Recipe Tips
- Press the tofu: This is important for the best texture and crispiness and to allow it to soak up the lime soy tofu marinade better. Check out this guide to tofu pressing here.
- For crispier tofu: Gently toss the tofu in cornstarch before pan-frying it.
- For a thicker glaze: Add a tablespoon of cornstarch slurry to the sauce and simmer until thickened to create more of a glaze.
- For more flavor: Marinate the tofu in the sauce (sugar included) for 1-4 hours, pat dry, pan-fry until crisp, then add the sauce back to the pan (with or without cornstarch).
Serving Suggestion
- Grains: Enjoy lime and soy sauce tofu over fluffy white or brown rice (how to cook brown rice), jasmine rice, or rice noodles/garlic sesame soba noodles. Quinoa (check out this guide to quinoa) works well, too.
- Salad: Serve over or alongside spicy cucumber salad, easy edamame salad, soba noodle salad, etc.
- Simple sides: Like crispy vegan spring rolls, tofu vegetable crispy wontons, etc.
- Veggies: Roasted or steamed broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, zucchini, green beans, etc.
Storage Instructions
Store the cooled lime soy tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I used this container in the photo below along with these labels.
Alternatively, freeze it for up to 3 months, though the texture of tofu changes upon thawing.
Reheat it in a skillet, optionally with a splash of liquid or oil, over medium heat OR microwave in 30-second increments until heated through.
Other Vegan Tofu Recipes to Consider….
Vegan Dinners
Orange Ginger Tofu (Marinated to Perfection!)
Vegan Dinners
Tofu Fillets with Tomato Herb Pan Sauce
Vegan Dinners
Spicy Tofu with Coconut Lime Sauce
Vegan Dinners
Buttery Lemon Tofu and Asparagus
If you tried this sauteed lime tofu recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
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Sautéed Lime Tofu
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Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- ¾ teasppon of pepper
- 2 tablespoons of oil
- 1 (16-ounce) package of extra firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cut into ½-inch strips
- 4 teaspoons of brown sugar
- ½ cup of sliced yellow onion
Instructions
- Combine the lime juice, soy sauce, and pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large pan over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the tofu and brown sugar and mix until coated. Cook for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally until tofu becomes golden brown.
- Stir in onion and cook until translucent, for about 3 minutes.
- Finally, add the lime soy sauce to the pan and simmer for a few minutes until the tofu has had a chance to soak up the marinade and the liquid has almost fully evaporated.
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Notes
- Press the tofu: This is important for the best texture and crispiness and to allow it to soak up the lime soy tofu marinade better. Check out this guide to tofu pressing here.
- For crispier tofu: Gently toss the tofu in cornstarch before pan-frying it.
- For a thicker glaze: Add a tablespoon of cornstarch slurry to the sauce and simmer until thickened to create more of a glaze.
Has anyone tried it without adding sugar?
You are missing the step with the marinade.
Thank you for pointing that out! It’s been updated 🙂 Hope you enjoy the recipe!
What happened to the green beans?
Adding some green beans to this dish would be great!
Such an amazing tofu dish!
Na