One-Pan Tofu Bulgogi
Craving bold, savory Asian flavors but don't want to spend an hour in the kitchen? This is your fix.
Look, it’s been a long day and the last thing you want is a mountain of dishes or a complicated multi-step process. This tofu bulgogi gives you those iconic, mouth-watering flavors of traditional Korean BBQ—think sweet soy, toasted sesame, and garlic—but simplified into one single pan. The tofu soaks up that incredible marinade perfectly, creating a satisfying texture that's way more exciting than your standard stir-fry. It’s fast, filling, and hits those deep savory notes when you just need a win for dinner tonight.
Ingredients
- 14 oz extra-firm tofu — pressed and cubed
- 0.33 cup soy sauce
- 0.25 cup brown sugar
- 1 unit garlic bulb — 3 cloves minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger — grated
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 0.5 cup green onions — sliced
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes — optional for heat
- 0.5 cup carrots — thinly sliced or julienned
Method
- 1 Pat the tofu dry and cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss in a bowl with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
- 2 Let the tofu marinate for at least 5 minutes (or while you prep the veggies).
- 3 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with a splash of oil.
- 4 Add the tofu cubes to the pan. Sear until the edges are slightly crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
- 5 Toss in the carrots and half of the green onions.
- 6 Sauté for another 4-5 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glaze and coats everything beautifully.
- 7 Top with remaining green onions before serving over rice or noodles.
Variations
- Add a Crunch — Toss in some sliced almonds or cashews during the last 2 minutes of cooking for added texture.
- Extra Veggie Boost — Swap the carrots for a handful of snap peas or baby bok choy.
Notes
For the best texture, make sure to press the tofu first. If the sauce feels too thin, let it simmer for 2 extra minutes; the sugar will help it caramelize and thicken quickly.
Equipment that helps
- Large Skillet — Allows you to sear the tofu and simmer the sauce in one go without extra pans.
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