Simple Braised Tofu Recipe: 3 Tips for Making Braised Tofu

Braised tofu is a popular side dish consisting of seared tofu slices simmered in a braising liquid. To make the dish, cooks sear tofu slices in a form of fat, usually vegetable oil, to develop a golden-brown crust, then simmer them in a seasoned, aromatic braising liquid until they become tender and juicy. Braised tofu is vegan, and depending on the individual sauce ingredients, may also be gluten-free. You can serve braised tofu as a side dish, part of a larger meal, or main dish.

There are numerous styles of braised tofu throughout Asian cuisine, featuring all varieties of tofu, from firm or extra-firm tofu to silken or similarly soft tofus. Try a Chinese-style braised tofu, made with deep-fried pieces of silken tofu, tossed in a thick sauce mixture consisting of oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine. You can also make Korean-inspired spicy braised tofu (dubu jorim) with gochugaru chile flakes or gochujang paste.

Once you get the formula down, improvised recipes for braised tofu are easy to tweak according to what you have on hand. Start with a basic group of aromatics (garlic, ginger, and scallion) and build a salty, sweet, and spicy braising liquid, and you’re set. Here are some other tips to consider:

1. 1. Press the tofu. To remove as much excess water from the tofu as possible—and ensure a tender and flavorful final result—slice the rinsed tofu and place it on an unfolded kitchen towel (or paper towels). Fold the towel over the tofu, and place a half-sheet tray on top of it. Finally, place a heavy object on the tray and leave it there for at least 10 minutes for a firm press.
2. 2. Pan-fry to create texture. In traditional braising, cooks brown the meat on all sides to boost the flavor of the braising liquid with rendered fat. However, when braising tofu, it’s primarily about texture: The fried tofu develops a crispy outer layer, which gives the braising liquid a coarse, porous surface on which to cling. You can toss the tofu pieces in a bit of cornstarch before pan-frying to enhance this effect.
   
3. 3. Side dishes to serve with braised tofu. Top braised tofu with finely sliced scallions, sesame seeds, or furikake seasoning. Serve it alongside freshly steamed rice and assorted veggie side dishes like steamed bok choy or sautéed shiitake mushrooms. Alternatively, serve braised tofu and its sauce atop creamy corn grits.