Name: Tofu with Peanut Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 2 teaspoons light or dark brown sugar; 2 tablespoons minced shallots; ½ teaspoon finely minced garlic; 1 teaspoon Sriracha or other hot sauce; 2 tablespoons hot water; 2 tablespoons peanut, vegetable, or canola oil (, divided); 1 pound extra firm tofu (, cubed); Hot rice (to serve (optional)); Sliced scallions or fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish (optional))

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Easy Peanut Sauce

This nutty peanut sauce is an amazing companion to pan crisped tofu. You can also use it with simple tofu prepared in other ways, like baked or broiled. Lots of us are often wondering about tofu….“what goes with tofu?”, “what can I do to make tofu more interesting?” and “what’s an easy recipe to make with tofu?” Well, this is the answer, and you may well have all of the ingredients for the peanut sauce in your pantry!

Tofu with Peanut Sauce on a bed of rice on a green plate.

How to Use Peanut Sauce

Oh, there are so many other uses beyond this delicious tofu dish! You are going to be very happy to have this sauce in your life. Try it over steamed vegetables , perhaps served over a bed of brown rice. Use it as a companion to simply cooked chicken, pork or beef kebabs. Toss it with hot noodles. It also makes a nice dip for vegetables, such as carrot sticks, celery, bell pepper strips, cucumber sticks or slices, sugar snap peas, and snow peas.

This sauce also makes a great dressing to toss with a salad made with lettuce, chicken and/or vegetables. Add a bit more water if you want a thinner sauce. For a more pronounced sesame flavor you can add a few drops of sesame oil which can be found online and in the Asian aisle of most supermarkets.

Tofu with Peanut Sauce (vegan!): A nutty sauce is the perfect pairing for crispy pan seared tofu.
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Woman pouring peanut sauce onto tofu over rice.

How Long Will Peanut Sauce Last?

This sauce will last for 5 days in the fridge. Bring to room temperature and give it a stir before serving. You may need to loosen it up with another tablespoon or two of hot water.

What is in Peanut Sauce?

Peanut butter – I like smooth in peanut sauce, but you can use crunchy if you like
Soy sauce – for a salty pop of umami flavor
Lime juice – for acidity and brightness
Light or dark brown sugar – for a molasses-ey sweetness
Minced shallots and garlic – some members of the onion family are always a plus
Sriracha or other hot sauce – for some spicy kick
Hot water – to get to the desired consistency

You can add a teaspoon or two of finely minced or grated fresh ginger to the sauce if you want a gingery zippiness.

How to Make Tofu with Peanut Sauce

Combine the peanut butter, sesame paste, soy sauce, oil, vinegar, brown sugar, shallots, garlic, cayenne, and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sear the tofu until browned, about 3 minutes on each side (you don’t have to brown all of the sides of the cubes, but make sure at least a few sides have a nice golden-brown exterior). Remove the tofu to a plate.

Serve the tofu over rice if desired. Drizzle the peanut sauce on top or pass it on the side for people to help themselves.

Peanut sauce pouring from a jar onto tofu.

Sprinkle the tofu or the sauce with the sliced scallions.

What to Serve with Tofu with Peanut Sauce:

Also try Noodles with Peanut Sauce or Orange Tofu!

Plate of Tofu with Peanut Sauce on rice and a cucumber salad.