Peanut Tofu Power Bowl (Printable)

Crispy tofu, wholesome grains, and colorful vegetables with creamy peanut sauce for a nourishing plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup brown rice or quinoa, uncooked
06 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

07 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
08 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
09 - 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
10 - 1 cup edamame, steamed and shelled
11 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
12 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

→ Peanut Sauce

13 - 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
14 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
15 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
16 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or lime juice
17 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
18 - 2 tablespoons warm water
19 - 1 garlic clove, minced
20 - 1 teaspoon grated ginger
21 - Pinch of chili flakes, optional

→ Toppings

22 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
23 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
24 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves

# How-To Steps:

01 - Cook brown rice or quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
02 - Preheat oven to 400°F or heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
03 - Toss cubed tofu with cornstarch and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
04 - Drizzle tofu with olive oil and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Alternatively, pan-fry in skillet until browned on all sides.
05 - Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, warm water, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes until smooth. Add additional water as needed to reach desired consistency.
06 - Julienne or slice vegetables as directed. Steam edamame if using frozen until heated through.
07 - Divide cooked rice or quinoa among four bowls. Arrange tofu, carrots, bell pepper, cabbage, edamame, cucumber, and spring onions on top in an organized manner.
08 - Drizzle bowls generously with peanut sauce. Garnish with roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro or mint leaves as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The tofu gets legitimately crispy and golden—not rubbery or bland—thanks to a cornstarch trick that feels like cheating but isn't.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, and most of that is passive cooking time while you sip coffee or scroll your phone.
  • The peanut sauce is creamy, tangy, and rich enough to make you feel like you're eating something indulgent when you're actually eating plants.
02 -
  • If your tofu turns out soft instead of crispy, you didn't press it long enough or your oven wasn't hot enough—both are easily fixed next time and worth the extra attention.
  • The peanut sauce thickens as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than you think you want it, and you'll find it's perfect once everything comes together in the bowl.
03 -
  • Make your sauce a day ahead and store it in a jar in the fridge—the flavors deepen and it's ready to drizzle whenever you want a quick bowl.
  • Cook your grain in larger batches and portion it out for the week; having cooked grains on hand means weeknight bowls go from idea to table in 15 minutes flat.
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