Easy 20-Minute Teriyaki Tofu Recipe

This Teriyaki Tofu Recipe makes for a healthy and satisfying main dish, with the crispy tofu complementing the savory and sweet teriyaki sauce. Learn how to make it!

Looking for simple tofu recipes? Try my Tofu Katsu, Vegetarian Tofu Hambagu, or Fried Tofu(Atsuage) Teriyaki!

If you’re a fan of tofu, you’re sure to love this teriyaki tofu recipe! The combination of savory and sweet teriyaki sauce coating the pan-fried tofu is a perfect match!

And if you enjoy steamed rice, be sure to serve it alongside this dish for a complete and satisfying meal!

This recipe is for you if:
• You love Japanese tofu dishes.
• You are looking for teriyaki tofu recipe.
• You are looking for a vegan tofu recipe.

All right, I’m gonna show you how to make it with easy steps. If you want to check the recipe, please jump to the recipe card below. Let’s get started!

About This Recipe

• Simple Japanese tofu dish
• Easy pan-fried teriyaki tofu recipe
• Mushroom topping
• Vegan teriyaki tofu

📋 Ingredients

Here are the ingredients (amounts are in the recipe card below).

• Tofu: I recommend using firm tofu (momen) and pressing it to remove excess moisture for at least 30 mins. Click here to check how to press tofu. See more below.
• Mushrooms: You can choose any mushrooms you like. I use shimeji, shiitake, and eringi in this recipe. See more below.
• Mirin and soy sauce for making Teriyaki sauce: Some teriyaki sauce recipe calls for sake and sugar, but I like this simple method with mirin (sweet rice wine) and soy sauce. See more below.
• Flour: Any flour is ok. You can use corn starch or potato starch also.
• Salt and pepper
• Scallion or green onions for topping
• Oil for cooking: Olive oil, vegetable oil, or any other oil you choose.

Tofu

When purchasing a block of tofu at a store, you’ll find two varieties: silken tofu and firm tofu.

Silken tofu (Kinu) has a soft and delicate texture that is due to its high water content, which makes it easy to break apart. On the other hand, firm tofu (Momen) has a denser texture and a slightly richer taste.

The firm tofu or extra-firm tofu would be a better choice for this teriyaki tofu recipe as it holds its shape better. Then you will have to press the tofu block to remove the excess water and achieve a firmer texture.

Teriyaki Sauce

You can make your own teriyaki sauce easily with just two ingredients, mirin, and soy sauce. This sauce is thin as it is; however, coating tofu in flour and cooking it in teriyaki sauce will thicken the sauce and create a flavorful glaze for the tofu.

Mirin is a sweet rice wine that adds a natural sweetness to savory teriyaki sauce, which I like the moderate sweetness. However, if you prefer sweet and sticky teriyaki sauce, you can add brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup to your taste. Just keep in mind that adding sweeteners will make the sauce sweeter and thicker, so adjust accordingly.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms can be a great addition to teriyaki tofu and add a nice firm texture to the dish. We will cook them separately and add them to the finished dish.

Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent option for their deep, rich flavor, but you can use any mushroom that you like.

If mushrooms aren’t to your liking, you can easily substitute them with bok choy, broccoli, bell peppers, zucchini, or snow peas.

Where to Buy Japanese Ingredients

If you live in the US, you can find Japanese ingredients in the list below.

• Japanese market: Mitsuwa Marketplace, Marukai
• Asian market
• Whole Foods Market
• Health food stores
• Online stores: Instacart, Walmart, Amazon

🔪Instructions

Let me walk you through how to make it. Click here to watch the teriyaki tofu recipe video.

1. Chop scallions
2. Cut mushrooms: Cut mushrooms into bite sizes.
3. Cut tofu: Press tofu to remove the water and cut tofu into 1 cm/0.5 inches width.
4. Stir-fry mushrooms: Pour oil into a frying pan, stir-fry mushrooms over medium heat until tender, and season with salt and pepper. Transfer them to a plate.

5. Pan-frying tofu: Add oil to a large skillet, place tofu coated with flour, and pan-fry them for 2 minutes over medium heat.
6. Pan-frying tofu: Flive them over and pan-frying for another 2 minutes over medium heat until crispy and golden brown. Transfer them to a plate.
7. Teriyaki sauce: Add mirin and soy sauce to the pan, and bring to a boil. (Check the taste, and feel free to add some sugar if you want it to be sweeter.)
8. Combine with sauce: Put the cooked tofu back in, stir with the teriyaki sauce, and turn off the heat. 

Serve

Serve the teriyaki tofu on a plate, place cooked mushrooms, top with chopped scallion, and enjoy!

Storage

Transfer teriyaki tofu to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Good for 2 to 3 days.

What to Serve With

Serving the crispy teriyaki tofu with steamed rice is my recommendation! It’s a great way to turn it into a delicious and satisfying rice bowl! Here are some ideas:

• Japanese white rice or brown rice
• Japanese pickled napa cabbage
• Kiriboshi daikon salad
• Japanese sweet potato miso soup

Flavor Variations

• Garlic Powder: Enhance the savory profile by mixing garlic powder in the coating flour or sprinkling it over the block of tofu before pan-frying.
• Ginger: Add freshly grated ginger to the teriyaki sauce for a zingy and aromatic flavor.
• Rice Vinegar: Mix rice vinegar into teriyaki sauce for a refreshing and zesty note.
• Citrus: Squeeze a splash of fresh lemon juice or orange into the teriyaki sauce for a bright element to the sauce.
• Coconut Sugar: Add coconut sugar to teriyaki sauce for natural caramel-like sweetness.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the teriyaki sauce. It will add a touch of natural sweetness and complement the savory elements.
• Sesame Seeds: Garnish cooked tofu with sesame seeds for added texture and nutty flavor.

Thanks for Stopping By!

This easy and healthy tofu dish is great for a quick weeknight dinner or lunch. I hope you and your whole family will enjoy this teriyaki tofu recipe!

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog♡ If you’ve tried this recipe (or any other recipe on the blog), please give it a star rating below!

Also, feel free to leave comments if you have any questions. I love hearing from you!

More Tofu Recipes You Might Like

• Tofu Donburi
• Vegan Mapo Tofu
• Tofu and Seaweed Salad
• Tofu Misozuke
• Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu Recipe)