Sticky Sesame Tofu | High-Protein Vegan Meal Prep

Whether you’re vegan or not, you have to get a forkful of this sticky sesame tofu.

Niall Kirkland is here to help you spice up your Veganuary efforts with a delicious tofu recipe that’s a full-on flavor sensation. If you're not into tofu, we’re willing to guarantee you just haven’t cooked it right yet, trust us.

With a sweet and sour sauce that’s as rich as this, we promise you won't be disappointed. Not to mention the spring onion and sesame seed garnish — they might sound like a small addition but boy do they make a whole lotta difference to the finished piece.

Jump to:

• What to Serve with Sticky Sesame Tofu
• Extra Toppings
• Equipment Needed
• Tips for Making Sticky Sesame Tofu
• Batch Cook and Store Safely
• How to Thaw and Reheat
• Make it Gluten Free
• Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe
• Other Vegan Meal Prep Recipes

What to Serve with Sticky Sesame Tofu

There are plenty of sides that would complete this tasty dish. One option is steamed or stir-fried vegetables. These can include broccoli, bok choy, snow peas, bell peppers, etc. You can cook these with an Asian-inspired sauce or make it simple with garlic and a splash of soy sauce to complement the tofu.

If you want to add a fresh component to this meal, try serving with a side salad. This could be a simple garden salad or maybe a cucumber or avocado salad.

If you want to really dive into the Asian-inspired cuisine, try pairing your tofu with a warm bowl of Miso soup. You'll forget you made this meal in your own kitchen.

Extra Toppings

If you want to spice up your tofu, try these toppings for extra flavor:

• Crushed peanuts or cashews
• Chili flakes or sliced red chili
• Fresh cilantro
• Pickled ginger
• Fried garlic or shallots
• Toasted nori strips (seaweed)
• Sliced avocado
• Radish slices

Equipment Needed

To make your Sticky Sesame Tofu, you'll need the following:

• 2 small/medium mixing bowls
• Non-stick pan
• Spatula (to flip tofu)

Tips for Making Sticky Sesame Tofu

• Before cutting your tofu, press it for at least 15-30 minutes to remove excess moisture—this will help it become crispier when you cook it.
• Opt for extra-firm tofu to ensure that it holds its shape and achieves that desired crispy texture.
• When adding the flour to the tofu cubes, make sure to coat thoroughly—this will help them get crispy when fried.
• Toss the tofu in the sticky sauce only just before serving to prevent it from getting soggy.
• Serve your tofu immediately so it's as crispy and flavorful as possible.

How to Batch Cook and Store Safely

This Sticky Sesame Tofu is a great dish to meal prep so you can enjoy it throughout the week. To meal prep, start by doubling or tripling the recipe so you have plenty to put away.

Cook the tofu in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Once it's cooked, place it on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.

Cook the sauce, but do not put the tofu in it if you're planning to meal prep. Store your tofu and sauce separately to prevent the tofu from getting soggy.

You can store the tofu in the fridge in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb extra moisture. It will keep for 3-4 days.

Store the sauce in the fridge as well in a separate container—it will keep for up to a week.

For long-term storage, you can freeze the tofu and sauce separately.

To freeze, lay the tofu cubes on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

The sauce can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or ice cube trays for portion control and will last for up to 2-3 months.

How to Thaw and Reheat

To reheat the tofu, place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat it in a pan with a small amount of oil to regain some of the crispiness.

Reheat the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

Then simply toss the reheated tofu in the warmed sauce just before serving to maintain the crispy texture.

Make it Gluten Free

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the soy sauce for gluten-free soy sauce, and ensure your chili sauce, ketchup, and rice wine vinegar are gluten-free—they should have a "gluten-free" label on their bottles.

Sticky Sesame Tofu Recipe