Craving a flavorful, protein-packed dish? This Miso Tofu is crispy on the outside, tender inside, and coated in a rich, umami miso glaze, offering the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors!
Ginisang Repolyo, Ginisang Monggo, and Ginataang Gabi are delicious vegetarian food too. Consider giving them a try!
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What is Miso Tofu?
This Asian fusion dish takes miso, a popular Japanese seasoning, and gives it a Filipino twist for a unique, flavorful tofu recipe. Miso adds a deep, savory taste, while Filipino flavors bring a balance of sweet, tangy, and salty notes.
The tofu is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and coated in a rich, umami-packed glaze. It’s a simple, tasty meal that goes great with rice or veggies!
Health Benefits of Tofu
- High-Quality Protein - Tofu provides a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans.
- Bone Health - Rich in calcium and magnesium, tofu supports strong bones and helps prevent osteoporosis.
- Heart Health - Tofu contains isoflavones and unsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and improve overall cardiovascular health.
- Rich in Iron - Tofu contributes to healthy red blood cell production and helps prevent anemia, especially when combined with vitamin C-rich foods for better iron absorption.
Substitutions
- Dried shiitake mushrooms - Fresh shiitake, cremini, or button mushrooms (adjust cooking time).
- Red bell pepper - Yellow or orange bell pepper, carrots (thinly sliced), or snap peas for color and crunch.
- Baby bok choy - Spinach, napa cabbage, or Swiss chard for a similar leafy green texture.
- White miso paste - Yellow miso (milder) or red miso (stronger flavor).
- Teriyaki sauce - Soy sauce + 1 tsp maple syrup/honey or tamari for a gluten-free option.
Variations
- Spicy - Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of sriracha, gochujang, or chili flakes to the sauce. Stir in sliced jalapeños or a dash of chili oil before serving for extra heat.
- Garlic Butter - Add 1 tablespoon of vegan butter to the pan after cooking the tofu. Stir in 1 extra clove of minced garlic for a rich, buttery miso flavor.
- Japanese-Inspired - Add ½ teaspoon of toasted sesame oil for a more authentic Japanese flavor. Top with sesame seeds and serve with steamed Japanese rice and pickled ginger on the side.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store the cooked tofu in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in the microwave for a few seconds before serving.
- Freezer: Freezing is not recommended, as tofu’s texture changes when frozen after being cooked with sauce. However, if you must freeze it, store it in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Expect a slightly chewier texture upon reheating.
- Sauce Storage: If you have extra miso teriyaki sauce, store it separately in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze it for up to 2 months.
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:
- extra firm tofu
- vegetable oil
- white onion
- dried shiitake mushrooms
- red bell pepper
- baby bok choy
- white miso paste
- teriyaki sauce
- ginger juice
- cornstarch
- water
- salt
- ground black pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
In a bowl, combine white miso paste, teriyaki sauce, ginger juice, cornstarch, and water. Mix well until fully incorporated. Set aside.
Heat half of the vegetable oil in a skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and pan-fry until crispy on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil. Sauté the white onion until translucent, then add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the red bell pepper and fried tofu, cooking for 1 minute.
Add the baby bok choy and stir-fry for another minute. Pour the miso-teriyaki sauce mixture over the veggies and tofu.
Stir well to coat everything evenly. Then, stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.
Turn off the heat. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper to taste. Then serve hot!
Hint: For extra flavor absorption, press the tofu before cooking! Removing excess moisture helps it soak up the miso teriyaki sauce, making each bite more flavorful.
⭐ Top Tips
Sear the tofu first before adding the sauce! This creates a crispy golden crust, preventing it from becoming too soft when the sauce is added.
Cook the tofu until lightly browned on all sides, then pour in the miso teriyaki sauce and let it caramelize for the best texture and flavor.
FAQ
More Recipes
Loving veggies in new recipes? Get some more here:
Miso Tofu Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 7-ounce package extra firm tofu, pressed and cut into medium dice
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup sliced white onion
- 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms soaked in hot water overnight and sliced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 3 ounces baby bok choy ends removed and sliced in half lengthwise
For the Sauce:
- ½ tablespoon white miso paste
- 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 2 teaspoons ginger juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons water
Seasoning:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine white miso paste, teriyaki sauce, ginger juice, cornstarch, and water. Mix well until fully incorporated. Set aside.
Cook the Tofu:
- Heat half of the vegetable oil in a skillet or pan over medium heat. Add the tofu and pan-fry until crispy on all sides. Remove and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining oil. Sauté the white onion until translucent, then add the sliced shiitake mushrooms and cook for 1 minute.
Add Remaining Ingredients:
- Stir in the red bell pepper and fried tofu, cooking for 1 minute.
- Add the baby bok choy and stir-fry for another minute.
Add the Sauce:
- Pour the miso-teriyaki sauce mixture over the vegetables and tofu. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds.
Season and Serve:
- Turn off the heat and season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately.
Watch The Recipe Video!
Claire says
I love how fast this recipe comes together. So simple and looks delicious!
Juanita says
I LOVE Miso, I can't wait to try this!
J.Mar says
This looks absolutely delicious and seems easy to prepare.
Sheen says
Came out very delicious! Thanks for the recipe. My family loved it!
Dimple says
Can't wait to try this! Love high-protein recipes!
Cherry says
I would love to try this for a healthy dinner! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jane says
Super excited to try this recipe, thanks Lainey!
Lainey says
Looks really yummy!
Elie W says
I'm so excited to try this recipe, thanks Lainey!
Aira says
This Miso Tofu recipe is absolutely delicious! 🍱✨ The combination of savory miso and tender tofu is perfect, and the recipe was so easy to follow. I love how quick it was to prepare, making it a great option for a healthy and flavorful meal. Thank you for sharing this simple yet tasty dish—I'll definitely be adding it to my regular meal rotation!
Sweet says
Not fond of tofu but this seems like the perfect recipe!
Ani says
Can't wait to try this recipe! Looks incredible!