Best Ever Tofu Sisig

Tofu Sisig is a Filipino dish made of fried tofu, chopped chili peppers, and mushrooms!  This dish is vegan and a bit on the spicy side with all the delicious flavors you will love! 

Looking for more tofu dishes? Try my Chicken Afritada (made with tofu of course), Bicol Express, Filipino Tofu in Coconut Milk or my personal favorite Tofu Poke!

Where did Sisig come from?

The region Pampanga in Luzon. Sisig has been a Filipino dish way back 1732 with the name derived from “sisigan” which in Kapampangan means “to make it sour”. During those years, sisig mainly consists of pig ears, snout, belly, and pig cheeks. They cook it three times – boiled, grilled, and finally sautéed with garlic, onion, and lastly drizzled with calamansi juice just before serving.

The dish was frequently given to those suffering from a hangover or from a night of alcoholic overindulgence. It was believed that it prevents vomiting because of its salty and sour flavor, all in one amazing dish.

But as times have gone by, more and more versions of the famous Filipino sisig has been made. Vegetarians, like me, also developed a delicious vegetarian counterpart, which is what I am sharing with you now. The main ingredient is tofu, also known as fermented bean curd. This is a healthier version of the classic meat sisig but nonetheless, tastes so good without the cholesterol guilt

Tips & Procedures: 

• Vegetable oil is a good alternative to coconut oil because it’s tasteless and has a high heating point.
• To make your tofu crust extra crispy, coat it with cornstarch before frying.
• Frying Tip: Frying tofu is a bit challenging when the excess water isn’t removed. To do this, use the “press” method where you cover the block of tofu with paper towels. Then, find anything in your kitchen that is heavy enough but not too heavy to break the tofu. Place it above the tofu for about 15- 30 minutes. This process will help remove the excess water and the oil splatters when frying the tofu.
• Take the sisig to the next level by drizzling calamansi juice (instead of lemon juice) right before serving.
• Impress guests (or yourself) with your cooking skills, by making this into a sizzling sisig. Simply use a sizzling plate and serve.

How to Make this Tofu Sisig Recipe:

Here is the quick look of the ingredients for Tofu Sisig:

• refined coconut cooking oil  or vegetable oil
• vegan mayonnaise
• mushrooms
• soy sauce
• extra-firm tofu
• salt
• white onion
• garlic
• red or green chili peppers
• shallots
• lime juice
• brown sugar
• pepper
• spring onions

Once the ingredients are all ready, let’s begin!

Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat, add ½ cup of vegetable oil until it heats up, fry your tofu until all its sides turn golden brown:

Set aside the tofu cubes:

On the same pan, lower heat. Sauté shallots and garlic until fragrant or when onions turn translucent:

On medium heat, sauté mushrooms, and add soy sauce. Allow to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until the mushrooms become tender:

After the mushrooms have tenderized, you can now add in the fried tofu. Mix well:

Add chili pepper, sauté for a minute. (Can add additional chili pepper if you want it to be spicier):

Season with salt and pepper:

Add mayonnaise and sauté for a minute or two:

Add brown sugar to taste:

Now it’s time to make it look more sumptuous! Garnish it with lime juice and chopped spring onions or leeks:

Serve hot. This Tofu sisig is best enjoyed with steamed white rice or brown rice. You can even eat this together with quinoa and other healthy grains. 

Frequently Asked Questions for the Tofu Sisig Recipe:

Here are some great desserts that pair well with this recipe:

• Buko Pandan
• Cassava Cake
• Shakoy
• Halo Halo
• Turon

Happy Cooking!

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