No ratings yet

Servings

Do you enjoy tofu with a firmer, meatier texture? Try this teriyaki tofu with frozen tofu! Once thawed, it becomes chewy, hearty, and perfect for soaking up sauce.

Looking for more tofu recipes? Explore my easy Japanese tofu recipes!

Why Use Frozen Tofu?

Regular tofu is soft and delicate, but frozen tofu has a completely different texture. After freezing and thawing, tofu becomes:

Firmer and chewier
More satisfying to eat
Better at absorbing sauces
Easy to squeeze and prepare
Longer storage

How to Freeze & Thaw

How To Freeze:
Simply place the unopened package of tofu in the freezer.
How To Thaw:
Move it to the refrigerator and let it thaw for about half a day. I usually transfer it to the fridge the night before and let it thaw overnight.

Recipe Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients to make this teriyaki tofu:

Teriyaki tofu using frozen tofu ingredients.

Frozen tofu: For this recipe, I recommend using firm tofu. It holds its shape much better than silken tofu after freezing and thawing, and gives you a nice chewy texture.
Teriyaki sauce: This simple teriyaki sauce is made with sugar, mirin, and soy sauce. If you don’t have mirin, you can skip it and add a little extra sugar and water instead.
Potato starch: Potato starch helps make the outside of the tofu lightly crispy and helps the teriyaki sauce coat each piece nicely. If you don’t have it, all-purpose flour or rice flour will also work.

How To Make Teriyaki Tofu: STEP BY STEP

Here’s a quick visual guide! Check the recipe card below for the video and full details!

Step 1

Gently squeeze the excess moisture out of the thawed tofu.

Step 2

Cut into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

Lightly coat each piece with potato starch.

Step 4

Heat oil in a frying pan and cook the tofu pieces until crispy.

Step 5

Add sugar, soy sauce, and mirin to the pan to make the teriyaki sauce.

Step 6

Return the tofu to the pan and coat evenly with the sauce.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Tips

Avoid sticking: When pan-frying, use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to keep the tofu from sticking.
Adjust the sweetness: This teriyaki sauce has a moderately sweet flavor. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little more sugar to suit your taste.

What To Serve With

To complement this teriyaki tofu dish, I recommend serving it with steamed rice, miso soup, and fresh salad!

Want more Japanese Plant-Based Ideas?

Get 10 Easy
Vegetarian recipes

More Tofu Recipes You Will Love

Leave a Rating!

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Don’t forget to rate it and share your thoughts!

Teriyaki Tofu with Frozen Tofu

No ratings yet

Prep: 5

Cook: 10

Total: 15

Servings:

Author: Juri Austin

Do you enjoy tofu with a firmer, meatier texture? Try this teriyaki tofu with frozen tofu! Once thawed, it becomes chewy, hearty, and perfect for soaking up sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Shopping List

Equipment

Frying pan, medium size

Ingredients

Instructions

Prepare the tofu: Transfer the frozen tofu to the refrigerator and let it thaw naturally. Once thawed, gently squeeze out the excess moisture. Cut the tofu into bite-sized pieces.
Pan-fry the Tofu: Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Lightly coat each tofu piece with potato starch. Place the tofu in the pan and cook until golden and crispy on one side. Flip and cook the other side until both sides are nicely crisp. Transfer the tofu to a plate.
Make the teriyaki sauce: Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel. Add the sugar, soy sauce, and mirin to the pan. Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until the sugar dissolves and the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thickened.
Finish the dish: Return the crispy tofu to the pan. Gently toss to coat each piece evenly with the sauce until everything is well glazed. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Notes

When pan-frying, use a non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to keep the tofu from sticking.
This teriyaki sauce has a moderately sweet flavor. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add a little more sugar to suit your taste.