Let’ face it. Tofu on its own is bland AF but its texture and ability to absorb the flavor of the condiments added to it makes up for its lack of taste. More importantly, I love the health benefits that tofu provides. In my books, it is still the best protein source if you don’t consume meat.

For me, the easiest and best way to enjoy tofu is by frying it. When it comes to frying tofu, I make sure to drain all the water first. You can do this by putting the tofu slices in between two plates to squeeze out any water or excess moisture from the tofu.

Tip: Use heavy plates to get the best results and leave it on for 15 minutes or so.

Before frying the tofu, you can season it with salt, pepper, and some chili flakes. I also add a dash of sugar to balance the seasonings. After 10 minutes of marinating the tofu, you can now fry it. I use vegetable oil or canola oil for frying the tofu.

When the oil is already bubbling, you can toss in the tofu and wait for it to turn golden brown. When the tofu is crisp and brown, you can now take it off the pan. Personally, I recommend that you use a strainer to drain off excess oil in the tofu.

5 Best Tofu Sauce to Make Tofu More Delicious

Obviously, fried tofu is good as is with salt and pepper. But what if we tell you that you can make it even better? Here are some of the simplest dipping sauces to pair your fried tofu with:

Soy Sauce and Lime Dip

This dip works best for people that like something tangy to go with their tofu. This dip is simple and extremely basic. I mix in 5-6 tablespoons of dark soy sauce with the juice of 1 lime. There are times when I want something spicy and I add a dash of chili flakes to go with this dip. The beauty of this dish happens once the tofu has absorbed the flavor of the sauce.

Tofu and Kimchi

Tofu is a staple at several Korean restaurants. This is why it isn’t surprising that tofu is often paired with what can be considered Korea’s flagship food, kimchi. You can just grab a bottle of Kimchi from your local store if in case you don’t want to make the kimchi from scratch.

In order to enjoy this dish, you can stir fry the kimchi with a teaspoon of sesame oil and soy sauce. You can season the kimchi with sugar and salt to taste and finish it off by topping it with green onion and sesame seeds. I usually wrap the tofu with kimchi leaf to enhance the flavor of the dish.

Oyster Sauce and Mayonnaise Dressing

This dressing has always been one of my personal favorites. It is on the heavier side, which makes it great for salads or just to eat it with tofu on its own. I combine ½ cup of mayonnaise and ¼ cup of oyster sauce in a bowl.

I also add in some chopped onions and bird’s eye chili to the mix. Afterward, I season it with salt, sugar, and pepper to taste. Once I have reached the flavor that I want, I toss in the tofu for an exciting new dish that can be enjoyed on its own or as a viand for my rice.

Buffalo Dip

Tofu is a great alternative to meat. This is why I use a buffalo dressing for my tofu when I have a hankering for Buffalo chicken wings. I toss in fried tofu in whatever buffalo dressing I have in my pantry. After that, I create the cream cheese dip by combining some cream cheese and different types of soft cheeses.

I microwave the cheese mixture for a few minutes for it to melt. Once the cheese mixture has melted, I would dip the tofu in the cream cheese mixture. Enjoy the explosion of flavor in your mouth that is set to mimic the same feeling as eating your favorite Buffalo chicken wings.

Peanut Sauce Dip

I enjoy satay in whatever form, even when I use tofu. Before frying the tofu, I try to marinate it in a mixture of coconut milk, red chili powder, curry powder, sugar, cilantro, salt, and pepper. You also have the option to grill the tofu with some vegetables.

No matter if I grill the tofu or fry the tofu, it is the peanut sauce that makes the difference when it comes to the flavor. I heat up a pan and begin making the sauce by mixing a cup of peanut butter with half a cup of broth. You can substitute the broth with warm water. Once the texture has become more consistent, you can season the sauce with soy sauce, fish sauce, chili flakes, sesame oil, and ginger.

These 5 easy recipes are sure to perk up your tofu to make it more delicious and flavorful! You can find more ways to liven up your tofu by coming up with recipes that compliment your tofu.

Recommended Recipes using these dipping sauces:

Spicy Tofu Jerky

Marinated Tofu

Curry Tofu

Homemade Pan Fried Tofu

Braised Tofu