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A hand holds chopsticks picking up a piece of lemongrass tofu from a plate with stir-fried tofu, green beans, red chili, herbs, rice noodles, and half a lime, garnished with cilantro on a rustic table.
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5 from 2 votes

Lemongrass Tofu Recipe

Tofu fried to gold-medal perfection, tossed with lemongrass, curry, and a saucy little mix of veggies. Serve it up with rice, and you’re officially running a five-star joint out of your kitchen.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 229kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $8

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Fried Tofu:

For the Stir-Fry:

  • 2 cups green beans stems removed, cut in 2 inch sections
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil canola oil, or sunflower oil
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • ½ cup green bell pepper diced
  • 2 stalks lemongrass dry outer layer discarded
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons Vietnamese curry powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste

Optional garnishes:

  • Thinly sliced scallion
  • Cilantro leaves
  • Sliced bird’s eye chilies

Instructions

  • Warm oil in a large skillet over medium heat. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the tofu strips in a single layer. Cook for 3 minutes per side, turning carefully, until golden and crisp. Transfer the tofu to a plate and set aside, wiping down the pan to remove oil? and particles of tofu. *Alternatively you can air fry the tofu, or use pre-fried tofu cut into strips.
  • Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. When the water is boiling, add the green beans, remove from the heat and cover the pot.
  • In the same skillet you cooked the tofu in, warm oil over medium-high heat. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the onion and green bell pepper and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
  • Finely mince the tender inner portion of the lemongrass stalks and add to the pan along with the garlic and curry powder.
  • Drain the green beans in a colander or wire mesh strainer.
  • After 3-4 minutes when the garlic is fragrant, add the green beans, the fried tofu strips, coconut sugar, water, and salt. Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the green beans are tender and most of the liquid has reduced.
  • Transfer the lemongrass tofu to a serving dish with steamed rice on the side and garnish with sliced scallion, cilantro leaves, and bird’s eye chilies if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

🍞 Pressed, Not Depressed
Wrap that tofu in a clean towel, give it a quick squeeze session, and let it chill for a few minutes before frying. Less oil drama, more golden crunch glory.
🔥 Some Like it Hot
Medium-high heat, babe. Anything lower and it’s sadness, anything higher and it’s crispy regret. Keep that sweet middle zone locked in.
🥦 Bean There, Done That
Stop when the beans still got that lil snap. No one asked for veggie mush 2.0, and the tofu deserves a supporting cast that actually shows up.

Nutrition

Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 455mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 459IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 2mg