Golden Crispy Tofu Salad (Printable)

Golden crispy tofu served on fresh mixed greens with a zesty ginger-soy dressing for a light meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, drained and pressed
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
05 - 3 tbsp vegetable oil for frying

→ Salad

06 - 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, romaine)
07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
09 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
10 - 2 spring onions, sliced
11 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

→ Ginger-Soy Dressing

12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce
13 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
15 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
16 - 1 clove garlic, minced
17 - 2 tbsp sesame oil
18 - 1 tbsp water

# Directions:

01 - Cut the pressed tofu into 3/4-inch cubes.
02 - Toss tofu cubes with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu cubes until golden and crispy on all sides, about 10–12 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
04 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and water until fully combined.
05 - Arrange mixed greens, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, bell pepper, and spring onions in a large bowl or individual plates.
06 - Top salad with crispy tofu cubes and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds evenly over the top.
07 - Drizzle the ginger-soy dressing over the salad just before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between hot crispy tofu and cool fresh greens is absolutely addictive
  • Its one of those rare salads that actually keeps you full for hours
  • The dressing comes together in seconds but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
  • Do not skip pressing the tofu or it will steam instead of fry and never get properly crispy
  • Crowding the pan lowers the oil temperature and makes the tofu soggy, so cook in batches if necessary
  • Let the tofu drain on paper towels after frying to remove excess oil so the salad does not become greasy
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet for the crispiest tofu, as it holds heat better than non-stick
  • Let the dressing sit for 10 minutes before serving to let the ginger and garlic mellow slightly
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing if you like a little heat
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