Sticky Orange Tofu

This delicious vegan-friendly twist on the classic takeout meal is sweet, a tiny bit spicy and totally delicious. Made with extra firm tofu, green beans and onion, this is a straightforward dinner recipe that will be on the table in 40 minutes or less. Serve over white rice and garnish with sliced green onion.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Straightforward and no fuss! This easy-to-make recipe takes a handful of simple ingredients. Made in just under 40 minutes, it’s perfect for cooks of all levels. 
• Great for meal prep – you can make tofu and sauce beforehand. Heat it up when you’re ready to eat, and you’re good to go.
• Versatile – you can have this tofu with rice or with other options, like salads or wraps.
• Budget-friendly – this Sticky Orange Tofu is an affordable meal made with simple, inexpensive ingredients. For less than $15, you can have a gourmet-quality meal without breaking the bank. 

Ingredients

The best thing about this Sticky Orange Tofu recipe is that it’s affordable and made with basics available all year round. 

Here’s a list of some key ingredients you’ll need for this Sticky Orange Tofu recipe. 

Orange Sauce:

• Oranges – key to the tangy sweetness of the sauce, oranges give the sauce its signature taste. 
• Rice wine vinegar – a staple ingredient in most Asian cuisines, you can find this at your local Asian grocery store.
• Green beans
• Brown onion 
• Garlic cloves
• Ginger
• Red chilli flakes
• Sugar
• Soy sauce
• Cornstarch
• Vegetable oil

Crispy Tofu:

• Tofu – the star of the show (it’s in the name!) is packed with protein and is an excellent addition to your regular diet. Make sure it’s extra firm.
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Cracked pepper
• Vegetable oil

To serve:

• Cooked white rice. 

Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact quantities. 

Instructions

A good thing about this Sticky Orange Tofu recipe is you can make both parts (the Orange Sauce and the Crispy Tofu) beforehand. It’s really handy if you know you have a day you won’t have much time to cook, or just aren’t bothered! 

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to make this Sticky Orange Tofu. For detailed instructions with temperature and timings, please look at the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Crispy Tofu

• Step One: Dice tofu.
• Step Two: Mix cornstarch, garlic powder, salt, and cracked pepper.
• Step Three: Coat tofu in cornstarch mixture. 
• Step Four: Pan fry tofu on all sides until golden and crispy, then set aside on paper towel.

Orange Sauce

• Step One: Grate the orange skins and juice the oranges.
• Step Two: Cook onion until translucent, then add garlic, ginger and chilli flakes
• Step Three: Stir through the orange juice, zest, sugar, rice wine vinegar (or substitutes), and soy sauce. 
• Step Four: Add green beans, then cornstarch mix and tofu.
• Step Five: Serve immediately over white rice. Top with the remaining orange zest. Enjoy!

Substitutions

• Orange juice and zest – if you don’t have fresh oranges available, you can substitute store-bought orange juice and dried orange zest. 
• Soy sauce – if you’re looking for a soy-free option, you can use coconut aminos, which are a great gluten- and soy-free option. Keep in mind this might change the flavor slightly. You can typically find them at most major Australian grocery stores or health food stores near you.
• Rice wine vinegar – if needed, substitute it with apple cider vinegar or lemon/lime juice for a similar acidic effect.
• Green beans can be substituted for broccoli, broccoli or Asian greens.

Storage

The great thing about Sticky Orange Tofu is it keeps well and is easy to reheat. It’s great for meal prep.

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezer

You can also freeze Sticky Orange Tofu for up to 3 months. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, or microwave on a low defrost setting, stirring occasionally. Once thawed, you can reheat as per below instructions.

How to Reheat

To reheat, microwave on high in one minute intervals. Stir in between until hot. You can also reheat on the stove, but you may need to add a splash of water to loosen the sauce. 

Note: Freezing tofu will alter its texture – it becomes slightly spongier and more stringy. This is actually preferred by many people, and is sometimes added as an additional preparation step to make meaty, chicken like tofu. You can learn more about the technique here: How To Make Tofu Taste Like Chicken. 

FAQs

Serving suggestions

I love adding Sticky Orange Tofu to my regular meals to add some extra flavor. Try it with my Vegan Udon Noodle Stir Fry. It is also super tasty with just some plain boiled broccoli.

I hope you enjoy this Sticky Orange Tofu recipe. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. You can also tag me on my Instagram @glowdiaries___ – I love reposting your creations on my stories!