Green Curry Glazed Tofu

Green Curry Glazed Tofu
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Total Time
25 minutes
Rating
4(3,350)
Notes
Read community notes

To make crispy, flavorful tofu without having to press it first, use this smart method from Andrea Nguyen, the author of “Asian Tofu” (Ten Speed Press, 2012) and other cookbooks: Warm the tofu in a pan with a small amount of flavorful sauce. As it cooks, it will dry out and absorb the flavors of the sauce. Next, you add oil to the pan, which crisps the tofu. In Ms. Nguyen’s recipe, soy sauce is used, but here, the aromatics in Thai green curry paste and the sugars in coconut milk toast and caramelize on the tofu. Once the tofu has a deep-brown crust, remove it, sear a quick-cooking vegetable in the same pan, then reduce the remaining curry-coconut mixture into a fragrant, sweet-and-spicy glaze.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 servings
  • 1(14- to 16-ounce) block extra-firm tofu
  • Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
  • 1(14-ounce) can full-fat, unsweetened coconut milk
  • 3 to 4tablespoons Thai green curry paste
  • 1tablespoon neutral or coconut oil, plus more as needed
  • 2cups chopped vegetables, such as snap or snow peas, asparagus, broccoli, kale, fennel or corn kernels or a combination (see Tip)
  • 2tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)
  • Cooked rice or another grain, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

826 calories; 60 grams fat; 45 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 5 grams polyunsaturated fat; 53 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 30 grams protein; 1533 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Cut the tofu in half lengthwise, then slice crosswise into 6 sections. (You’ll have 12 squares total.) Transfer to a towel-lined plate and pat dry, then sprinkle with salt.

  2. Step 2

    Transfer the coconut milk to a liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, add the green curry paste, stir with a fork until smooth, then season to taste with salt. (Be aware that some curry pastes are quite salty.)

  3. Step 3

    Arrange the tofu in an even layer in a large (12-inch) nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. Pour 2 tablespoons coconut-curry mixture over the tofu and flip the tofu to coat. Set the skillet over medium-high and cook tofu without flipping until the skillet is dry and the undersides of the tofu are speckled golden, 3 to 5 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Add the oil, swirl to coat, then flip the tofu. Cook until browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes, then flip once more until the remaining side is browned and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes, adding more oil as needed. Transfer to a plate.

  5. Step 5

    If the skillet is dry, add more oil, over medium-high, then add the vegetables, season with salt and cook, without stirring, until charred underneath, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the remaining coconut-curry mixture and boil, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the liquid has thickened to a glaze, 4 to 5 minutes. (The sauce is ready when a spoon dragged across the bottom of the skillet leaves a trail.) Turn off the heat, stir in the lime juice, then add the tofu and gently stir to coat. Season to taste with salt. Eat on top of rice.

Tip
  • This recipe accommodates any vegetable that will cook in 6 to 8 minutes. If you’d like to use a vegetable that takes longer, like sliced carrots or winter squash, sear them for a few additional minutes, tossing occasionally, before pouring in the coconut-curry mixture.

Ratings

4 out of 5
3,350 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

I had all the ingredients on hand, so I made this and we thought it was delicious! An interesting way to deal with tofu: it did get crispy, without cornstarch or the hassle of pressing/freezing/nuking/etc. For veggies, I used asparagus + mini bell peppers + scallions, then spinach added with sauce after the initial veg sauté. I added a couple handfuls of pea shoots at the very end. The fresh lime juice was a nice touch. Suggestion: cut tofu smaller. Try technique with other jarred simmer sauces.

Why open a jar of curry paste? It takes 10 mins or less to make a much better one (where you don't have to worry, as Slagle writes, about too much salt). Basic green curry recipes involve blitzing in a food processor the following ingredients: -small green serrano chiles -green bellpepper -fresh garlic -ginger -scallions -lemongrass -lemon + lime juice -black pepper, cumin, coriander, turmeric + sea salt -oil -a dash of maple or agave syrup. Press button—and voila! (Google it.) Bon appetit!

This was a huge hit, including with my son who hates tofu. The texture of the tofu was perfect, crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, and the sauce was delicious, restaurant quality. I followed it exactly, using red and yellow peppers, sugar snap peas and scallions. It was also done in a half hour, easier than the usual pressing of tofu. Delicious!

Like a dummy I followed the recipe exactly and put all those crispy vegetables in while the sauce cooked down. I knew it would turn them to mush but still I followed the recipe to the T. And yes they turned to mush. So, once you’ve got those vegetables nice and crispy and delicious and fresh set them aside until you have cooked that sauce down to the thickness that he would like.

Followed recipe but used Thai red curry paste since that's what I had. My veggies - healthy bunch asparagus, scallions and half an onion sliced thinly. The tofu fried up nicely in a non-stick skillet and the sauce was very good. Despite being a tofu resistor, my husband went back for seconds. I look forward to trying with different vegetables, perhaps Japanese eggplant and red/yellow peppers and am also thinking the addition of roasted peanuts or cashews would be worth a try.

Liked the tofu method. Agree with cutting lime juice in half. Added cubed eggplant, whole sugar snap peas, and chopped red bell pepper. 3 cups was a more appropriate amount of vegetables. Topped with fresh basil. I wanted more spice...next time will add a sliced fresh jalapeno and sliced green onions.

reduce the lime juice remove veggies when crisp, and add back after sauce reduced to reheat

I made a mistake of making this in a regular (not non-stick) pan so tofu slabs got stuck. I managed to scrape off the stuck pieces but it took a bit of elbow grease. We thought it was a tad too sour so probably would halve the lime juice. Used chopped broccoli and snow peas, finished w a dash of fish sauce. Turned out good but a tad too spicy, will try with less curry paste (I used 4 good tbsps) and less lime juice on a nonstick pan next time but I won’t use high heat as it would ruin the pan.

Made recipe as written, using dragon’s tongue beans and Thai Kitchen green curry paste. Very tasty and a great spring dish with fresh beans.

Agree that tofu should be smaller. I used my cast iron pan and I think it took too long to heat up. The tofu was a bit underdone even with several extra minutes per side. Either I’ll heat the pan first or use a lighter pan next time…and there will be a next time. Delicious and easy.

Use less lime. Use onions and bell pepper in addition to corn.

*walks up to the mic* *taps it twice* *gets very, very close to the mic* *deep breath* “do not make this dish in a stainless steel pan… do Not” *steps back, then runs offstage, from whence the quiet sobs of a person whose tofu stuck fast to the pan are heard*

Usually Maesri. In the little cans.

Use less lime

Surely the flavor and amount of curry paste makes a huge difference, as well as technique? Ours was delicious with asparagus, snow peas and red bell pepper. Did cut the tofu smaller as others have. I’m looking forward to using the same technique with other curry pastes, maybe even a Indian masala and basmati rice.

Ms. Slagle apparently likes to make recipes that are big bang for little buck. This is an excellent example of same. So many options and so easy...

3.5 TBL of green curry paste and the family's mouths were on fire!🔥 I was going to make this a private comment, so I would remember for next time, but I don't see that button anymore?

Delicious and easy weeknight meal! Loved doing the tofu this way and skipping the usual cornstarch route taken in most recipes where it calls for searing tofu. I had a lot of fresh ginger on hand so I microplaned it and added it to the coconut mixture which was very nice. Definitely will make again!

Delicious! And I agree with other comments: reduce the sauce without the veggies or they will be mushy. So grateful for readers' comments!

how are people getting the brown on the tofu? every time i make this the brown part sticks to the pan. ive tried all the types of pans. timing seems way off on this recipe too. pan frying the tofu in just oil works better but not great.

This is so good and very easy! Don’t be like me and slice your tofu too thin, it becomes very hard to flip without breaking in the pan. I would recommend thicker, but smaller pieces that are more bite sized. I would echo what many others have said, cook off your veg and take it out of the pan before adding your coconut milk mixture back in, otherwise you’ll end up with a mushier texture. Also made this with half a block of tofu and still used a whole can of coconut milk so may double the recipe next time to have more sauce. I already can’t wait to make it again!

Delicious & easy! Made this with Albertsons brand Thai green chile paste. Also used a bag of frozen stir-fry veggies (I know, but it's Monday). Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes, which toasted nicely in my cast-iron (2 sides was good for me). Defrosted the veggies a bit in microwave then added them to the pan on high. This gave the char needed before adding the sauce. Served over konjack noodles. Enjoyed by all! Next time, I'll add more lime juice or fish sauce and get/make better Thai chile paste.

Thanks to the earlier chefs who suggested removing the vegetables after charring them and adding them back at the end of reducing the coconut milk. Used 4 cups vegetables (zucchini, broccoli, snow peas, carrot) and would have enjoyed more - a lb of tofu is a lot. Two and a half tablespoons of curry made this quite tasty with a noticeable kick. Tooks longer for the coconut milk to reduce. Delicious!

Thai green curry paste is very spicy. I would start with a teaspoon and taste from there. Three-four tablespoons would be inedible in my opinion. I use Thai green curry paste frequently.

Excellent and easy! And since I used a whole bottle of green curry rather than having it molder away in my fridge, I gave it all the stars!

Looks good. I'll use red curry since I like it better than green.

The trick to crispy tofu is to boil it for a few minutes in salt water. Trust me. It draws the water out. Then proceed with the recipe.

This was delicious ! I turned my tofu with tongs and browned each side… used onions, shiitake, red bell pepper, zucchini, broccoli and kale for veggies. Topped with toasted cashews. Served on jasmine rice. Didn’t add any additional salt, had yellow curry paste on hand, ii like a strong curry so used 4 T but I think 3 would have been better ( pretty spicy!) would definitely make this again

This was fantastic, we had some elderly broccoli which we added with some sliced red onion. You can use vegetables past their prime and they will perk up with this cooking technique. Really good and the first time I have successfully cooked browned, crisp and tender tofu. If you cut the vegetables small enough, most will work in this recipe.

Added chili crisp, fish sauce, and curry powder. very good! Easy to put together.

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