You won’t believe how easy it is to make this tofu bulgogi with just a few simple ingredients! It comes together in no time, making it the perfect weeknight meal. Crumbled tofu cooked in a sweet, salty, and savory sauce, this tofu bulgogi captures all the delicious flavors of traditional bulgogi!
Beef bulgogi is one of my all-time favorites—I’d happily eat it every day and still crave it the next! I’ve already shared my classic bulgogi recipe, a quicker version with ground beef, and even chicken bulgogi. So, it only made sense that I’d start making tofu bulgogi when I found tofu on sale!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
This tofu bulgogi uses nearly the same sauce as my traditional bulgogi and ground beef bulgogi recipes, but swaps beef for tofu. When crumbled, firm tofu has a similar texture to ground beef, making it a fantastic meatless alternative!
- Quick & Easy: The tofu doesn’t take long to crisp up in the skillet, and once the sauce is absorbed, it’s ready to go! The only waiting is for the tofu to finish pressing.
- Familiar Ingredients: Just like the traditional recipe, this tofu bulgogi uses simple pantry staples that you probably already have on hand.
INGREDIENTS
For the Sauce
- 6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 small onion, grated
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
For the Tofu
- 2 blocks (350 grams each) extra-firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Prepare the Tofu: Press the extra-firm tofu to remove excess moisture. If you don’t have a tofu press, wrap the tofu in paper towels and place a heavy object on top.
- Make the Sauce: While the tofu is pressing, mix together the low-sodium soy sauce, dark soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, grated onion, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Tear the Tofu: Once pressed, tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces. For varied texture, crumble some pieces while leaving others larger.
- Cook the Tofu: Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and spread it in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes to allow the bottom to turn golden. Stir and repeat until the tofu reaches your desired level of crispiness.
- Add the Sauce: Pour the sauce over the tofu and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and is fully absorbed by the tofu.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired. Enjoy!
