Vegan Sweet Chili Tofu Cups (Print Version)

Crispy tofu coated in sweet chili glaze atop fresh lettuce with a crunchy veggie slaw for a light, vibrant dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed
02 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
03 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil such as canola or sunflower

→ Sweet Chili Glaze

04 - 1/3 cup vegan sweet chili sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free option
06 - 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon sesame oil

→ Veggie Slaw

08 - 1 cup red cabbage, finely shredded
09 - 1 cup carrot, julienned or grated
10 - 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
11 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup or agave nectar
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
16 - Pinch of salt

→ For Serving

17 - 12 large butter or romaine lettuce leaves
18 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
19 - Lime wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Pat tofu dry with paper towels and cut into bite-sized cubes. Place cubes in a shallow bowl, add cornstarch, and toss gently until evenly coated.
02 - Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add coated tofu cubes and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until golden and crispy on all sides, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
03 - While tofu crisps, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl until combined.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, julienned carrot, sliced red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Drizzle with rice vinegar, maple syrup, and sesame oil. Add pinch of salt and toss thoroughly to coat.
05 - Once tofu reaches golden crispness, reduce heat to medium. Pour sweet chili glaze over tofu and stir continuously to coat evenly. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce thickens and tofu becomes glossy.
06 - Arrange lettuce leaves on serving platter. Add generous spoonful of veggie slaw to each leaf, top with sweet chili tofu, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately with lime wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The whole thing comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that tastes like you tried harder than you actually did.
  • That contrast between crispy tofu and cool lettuce is genuinely addictive, and honestly, the slaw is the unsung hero that makes every bite taste alive.
02 -
  • If your tofu doesn't get crispy, the heat wasn't high enough or you crowded the pan—next time, work in batches and resist the urge to peek constantly.
  • The slaw can be made 30 minutes ahead, but assemble the lettuce cups right before serving or the leaves will soften and lose their appeal.
03 -
  • Make your glaze and slaw ahead of time, but only assemble the cups right before eating—this preserves the contrast between crisp lettuce and warm tofu that makes them sing.
  • If you're cooking for guests, set out all components separately and let people build their own cups, which feels interactive and lets everyone customize their ratio of slaw to tofu.
Go Back