How to make Hoisin Tofu Stir-Fry – Easy Vegan 20-Minute Meal

It’s Monday. That’s the best. Margaret jumped out of bed with more energy than usual and made her way to the kitchen. She worked as a design specialist for a very specific subgroup of specialized equipment in a highly specialized niche, which basically meant she sat in front of her computer all day moving lines around until they made sense to someone else. It wasn’t exciting, but she didn’t mind it. The company wasn’t shady, the paycheck arrived on time, and her chair was comfortable. Still, Mondays had always taken on a different kind of importance.

Because of that, everything else seemed slightly easier. The commute felt shorter, she didn’t mind the stack of emails waiting for her. Even the usual office annoyances barely registered. That was, until just before noon, when an “urgent” request dropped into her inbox. The kind that usually meant someone else had forgotten something and was dumping it on Margaret. She stared at it for a second, her stomach audibly protesting the timing. The mouse moved fast, clicking through files, adjusting measurements wildly, sending it off with a short reply, all while keeping one eye on the clock.

By the time noon approached, she had already checked the time more often than she would ever admit. When the minute finally ticked over, she got up, walked to the break room, and set her lunchbox down with a careful attention she didn’t give too much else.

Inside, still warm, was sticky hoisin tofu next to rice, the sauce dripping down roasted bok choy pieces and fried tofu, making everything shine. Her wife only made it on Mondays, mostly because it was quick, but also because she knew she liked having something to look forward to. Margaret took a bite, leaned back slightly, and let the noise of the office fade into the background. Whatever the rest of the week looked like, this part had already worked out.

What is hoisin sauce and what does it taste like?

Hoisin sauce is a thick, flavour-dense, slightly sweet sauce, similar to teriyaki in consistency but quite different in taste. It’s usually made from soy bean paste or soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and the addition of five-spice powder. That’s what sets it apart and gives it special notes like cinnamon and star anise.

You can make your own hoisin sauce at home, but if you want to keep things simple, store-bought works perfectly fine. You can usually find it in most supermark´ets, often near sriracha or other Asian sauces. The brand flying nose has one that always works decently for me. Besides using it for this tofu dish, hoisin sauce is also great as a dipping sauce for dumplings, or noodles, rice, and other stir-fry dishes.

What type of tofu works best for this recipe?

Tofu mostly varies in texture rather than taste, so there’s not really a wrong choice here. I usually go for a medium or slightly softer tofu rather than the firmest option. Very firm tofu often absorbs too much sauce, which can make leftovers pretty dry. A soft tofu stays a bit more tender and keeps a nicer texture, especially if you plan to reheat the dish later. If you want, you can also briefly cook or blanch the tofu pieces before frying to soften them even more. That said, if you only have firm tofu, it will still work fine. Just add a splash of water when reheating leftovers to keep everything nice and saucy.

Can I meal prep this hoisin tofu recipe?

Like most stir-fries, hoisin tofu is very meal prep friendly. The easiest method is making the sauce in advance. You can make a single portion, but it’s even better to make a larger batch. Keep it in the fridge for up to a week, ready to use whenever you need it. You can also fry a batch of tofu ahead of time if you want to save even more time. It may dry out slightly after a day or two, but within that time frame you can simply reheat it in the sauce for a few minutes to bring back a softer, saucier texture. The only thing I’d recommend making fresh each time is the veggies. They don’t take long to prepare, and quickly frying them for a few minutes while the sauce heats up makes everything taste fresher and delicious.

What vegetables go well with hoisin tofu?

In this recipe I use mushrooms, bok choy and cauliflower, but feel free to experiment. I think vegetables with a bit more acidity like peppers or harder ones like carrots might affect the taste too much, so I would probably avoid them. But that’s not to say you can’t use them if that’s all you have. If I have some, I also like adding greens like spinach or broccoli. They don’t take long to cook and take on the sauce really well. Snap peas or green peas are another good option if you want to add a bit of extra protein and don’t mind the added sweetness. You can’t really do much wrong here. Just don’t add tomatoes… I would consider that wrong.

What protein can I use instead of tofu?

If you’re not in the mood for tofu, don’t have any at home, or want to switch things up, you can use an alternative. Edamame or green beans are a good option if you want to add another source of plant-based protein. For a more direct substitute, tempeh works really well. Just keep in mind that it’s firmer and a bit denser than tofu, so when frying it, don’t leave it in the pan for too long or it can turn dry and overly tough. Vegetables like broccoli don’t really work as a proper substitute, but they’re a great addition if you want to up the total protein content. Just be aware that if you add more vegetables, you might want to increase the amount of sauce so everything stays nicely coated.

Did you make this delicious Hoisin Tofu?

Please let me know how this hoisin tofu recipe turned out for you, I’m super curious! You can leave a comment below or tag @lordsoftheplants on Instagram and hashtag it #lordsoftheplants for me to see! I absolutely love seeing your creations and interpretations of my recipes!

Can’t get enough of healthy and quick tofu recipes?

I’ve got you! You will love this 20-minute sticky tofu stir-fry! It is unbelievably tasty, especially considering how fast it is put together. You can make it whenever you crave some tofu, a healthy quick meal or just want to try something new!