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A green bowl filled with a vibrant spicy tofu salad with cucumbers, cilantro and peanuts.

Spicy Asian Tofu Salad

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5 from 1 review

This show-stopping Spicy Asian Tofu Salad is tossed in a creamy, tangy, spicy peanut dressing that's bursting with Asian flavors! This super healthy vegan salad recipe is the perfect way to spice things up this summer!

  • Total Time: 30 min
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the tofu salad:

  • 1 block extra-firm tofu
  • 1 English cucumber, seeded and chopped
  • 1/4 cup crushed peanuts
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

For the peanut dressing:

  • 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
  • 1 Thai chili pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

Instructions

  1. Wrap the tofu block in a kitchen towel or paper towels for at least 1 hour to remove the moisture from the tofu. Or, use a tofu press. (This can be done a day in advance storing in the refrigerator.)
  2. Bake the whole block of tofu in the oven or toaster oven until golden brown at 325 degrees for 25 minutes, flipping half-way through cooking.
  3. Remove from oven. Cool and cut tofu into even cubes.

Make the Spicy Peanut Dressing:

  1. Add the peanut butter, soy sauce, hot water, and sesame oil, cilantro, and Thai chili pepper to a blender and purée until smooth and creamy.

Assemble the Salad:

  1. Place the tofu cubes and chopped cucumber in a large salad bowl. Gently toss with the spicy peanut dressing and chopped peanuts. Garnish the salad with sesame seeds and remaining cilantro. Serve with extra dressing on the side.

Notes

  • IMPORTANT STEP: Wrap the tofu block in a kitchen towel or paper towels for a few hours to remove all of the moisture from the tofu. (Or, use a tofu press to do the job!) This can be done a day in advance storing in the refrigerator.
  • You can always turn up the heat with more Thai chili peppers. If you can't find Thai chili peppers, you can substitute them with jalapeño peppers or another spicy pepper.
  • Don't like peanut butter? Try making this spicy dressing with almond butter instead!
  • Use different toppings on this Spicy Asian Tofu salad, like sprouts, mint, and roasted seaweed. There are no rules!
  • Save the leftover spicy peanut dressing for other uses! Use it to toss with noodles or zoodles!
  • Author: Asian Caucasian
  • Prep Time: 10 min
  • Cook Time: 20 min
  • Category: Salads
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Asian Fusion
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 301
  • Sugar: 4.2 g
  • Sodium: 293.7 mg
  • Fat: 21.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.1 g
  • Protein: 17.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Find it online: https://asianinspiredeats.com/spicy-asian-tofu-salad/