Crispy Tofu Salad (Printable)

Golden crispy tofu on mixed greens with ginger-soy dressing, offering a fresh, protein-packed meal option.

# What You 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

# Steps:

01 - Cut 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 to 12 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
04 - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey or maple syrup, fresh ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and water until well combined.
05 - Arrange mixed greens, julienned carrot, sliced cucumber, bell pepper, and spring onions in a large salad bowl or individual plates.
06 - Top salad with crispy tofu cubes and sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top.
07 - Drizzle salad with ginger-soy dressing just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tofu gets genuinely crispy and satisfying, not rubbery or bland.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes and tastes far more restaurant-worthy than the time investment suggests.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and dairy-free without feeling like you're missing anything.
02 -
  • Pressing your tofu is non-negotiable if you want crispy results—skipping this step means you'll get soft, steamed tofu instead.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when frying; give each cube space to develop that golden crust rather than steaming next to its neighbors.
03 -
  • Make the dressing the night before so the flavors meld together beautifully—it actually tastes better after sitting a few hours.
  • Keep your cooked tofu separate from the greens until the last moment, and dress right before serving so everything stays at its best texture.
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