Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (2024)

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (1)

by Zephyrin

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If you want to convert a non-tofu fan, crumble it up! This vegan Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl is packed with protein, vegetables, and plenty of flavor!

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (2)

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Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl

People are often turned off by tofu’s texture. However, when broken into ground meat-sized chunks, it provides an ideal canvas for any flavor combination, such as this Mexican-inspired rendition of Tofu Tacos with Potatoes and Poblanos. The heat in this Korean-inspired tofu dish pairs wonderfully with the raw cabbage and carrot slaw.

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (3)

What does gochujang paste consist of?

I enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor of Gochujang, a spicy Korean chili paste prepared from chili peppers, fermented soybeans, rice, and salt. It gives the tofu crumbles a sweet, spicy, and umami bite, which is rounded off with a fresh combination of shredded cabbage and carrots coated in a tangy sesame sauce. I added brown rice to complete the meal.

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl Ingredients

  • Tofu:I used extra firm tofu, but firm will work too.
  • Sauce:Gochujang, soy sauce, and rice vinegar
  • Ginger:Grate a teaspoon of fresh ginger.
  • Garlic:Mince two cloves of garlic.
  • Coleslaw:Rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, salt, tricolor coleslaw mix, scallions
  • Rice:You’ll need one cup of cooked brown rice.
  • Lime Wedgesfor serving

How does one squeeze water from tofu?

To avoid soggy or watery tofu, you must press out all of the moisture. Place the tofu on a dish lined with paper or tea towels. Cover with another towel and set a heavy pan on top to press out any extra water.

How to Make Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl

  • To prepare the tofu, squeeze out the moisture and break it into ground meat-sized bits.
  • Tofu Sauce: Combine gochujang, soy sauce, and a tablespoon of vinegar.
  • Cook the tofu: Set a large pan over medium-high heat and add the sesame oil. Sauté the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, then add the tofu. simmer for five minutes, then add the gochujang sauce and simmer for an additional five minutes.
  • Slaw: Combine all of the coleslaw ingredients together.
  • Serve the rice in two dishes, topped with slaw, tofu, and scallions.

How to Meal Prep

Refrigerate each tofu dish in an airtight container for four days. If you’re bringing them for lunch, combine the tofu and rice in a single container and microwave until heated. Place the slaw in a separate container and add it to the bowl before eating.

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl Variations:

  • Protein: If you prefer meat, replace the tofu with ground chicken or turkey.
  • What may be used instead of gochujang? Sriracha is an effective alternative for gochujang.
  • Rice: You may use whatever you like for the basis, including quinoa, soba noodles, and rice noodles. If you’re eating low-carb, replace the rice with cauliflower rice or additional shredded vegetables.
  • Slaw: If you don’t want to buy prepared slaw, you may create your own from green and red cabbage and carrots.
  • Vegetables: For added nutrition, add broccoli, zucchini, or bell pepper.
Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (4)
Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (5)
Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (6)
Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (7)

More Healthy Recipes You’ll Love

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  • Avocado Quinoa Salad
  • Taco Scramble

Recipe Card

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (8)

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowls

If you want to convert a non-tofu fan, crumble it up. These vegan Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowls are packed with protein, vegetables, and plenty of flavor!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course dinner, lunch, Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 14- ounce package extra firm tofu drained
  • 2 tablespoons Gochujang
  • 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 3 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cups tri-color coleslaw mix red and green cabbage and carrots
  • 2 scallions chopped, white and green separated
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • lime wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Place the tofu on a paper towel or tea towel-lined dish. Cover with another towel and lay a heavy pan on top to squeeze excess water from the tofu.

  • With your fingers, crumble the tofu into small (ground meat-sized) pieces and place in a small dish. Set aside.

  • In a small dish or measuring cup, combine the Gochujang, soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  • Add 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil and stir to coat the pan’s bottom.

  • Sauté the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, until some of the crushed tofu begins to brown.

  • Add the gochujang sauce and stir to coat evenly. Cook for a further 4-5 minutes, turning often, until the pieces are lightly browned on the edges.

  • Meanwhile, make the slaw. In a small mixing bowl, add the remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon honey. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Whisk together until smooth and blended. Toss in the coleslaw mix and scallion whites until uniformly coated with dressing.

  • Divide the rice into two medium serving dishes.

  • Pour 1 1/2 cups slaw and 1 cup tofu into each bowl. Top each with scallion greens and serve immediately.

Keyword Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowls

Spicy Gochujang Tofu Bowl | Zazoo Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What goes well with gochujang? ›

Try it as a baste on chicken wings or pork ribs, or added to soup broths like in my Spicy Pork Miso Noodle Soup. Gochujang can also be used in marinades for meat dishes like Korean bulgogi, stirred into dipping sauces, or used to punch up stews.

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

How much gochujang to use? ›

Just remember, a little goes a long way. It's best to start with a teaspoon of gochujang, and work your way up from there according to taste.

Should you refrigerate gochujang? ›

Before opening, gochujang and gochujang sauce do not need to be refrigerated. Once opened, a lot of people recommend keeping the sauce and the paste in the fridge to help them retain freshness.

Is gochujang good for stomach? ›

Fermented soybeans in Gochujang makes it a great source of probiotics that can boost healthy gut microbiomes. Probiotics are live bacteria that are beneficial for digestion and overall gut health.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What should I season tofu with? ›

Tofu seasoning rub: Rub the pressed tofu with lots of spices like garlic or onion powder, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or a spicy taco seasoning, KFC seasoning, Buffalo spice, etc. Tofu marinade: Soak the tofu cubes in your favorite chicken/meat marinade to infuse extra flavor.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides. It's simply the best.

Can you put gochujang in anything? ›

Add sweet, fiery heat to everything from fried chicken to roasted brussels sprouts. Gochujang is a staple in Korean cooking and one of our favorite condiments to have on hand. Not familiar with it? It's the bright fermented red paste found in everything from bibimbap to tteokbokki to dakgalbi.

What's the difference between gochujang and gochujang sauce? ›

In its truest form, gochujang is sold as a thick paste, often in plastic tubs and glass jars, and ready for cooking. The kind labeled a sauce or condiment is the same paste, thinned out with other ingredients such as sugar and vinegar.

How do Koreans use gochujang? ›

This spicy paste is salty, savory and slightly sweet, and can be used in many ways including in soups, stews, marinades and sauces. Traditional Korean dishes that include gochujang are bibimbap, a mixed rice dish, tteokbokki, a spicy rice cake street food, and Jeyuk Bokkeum, a spicy marinated pork stir-fry.

What is the best use of gochujang? ›

Gochujang can do more than serve as a base for sauces and marinades. Here, it finds its way into instant noodles by adding flavor to both the short ribs and the broth. If more spiciness is desired, you can always add more gochujang, especially after dividing the soup into individual bowls.

Can you eat gochujang straight? ›

You can eat gochujang straight up [with fried rice or spread on crusty bread, say], mix it into dips like hummus to jazz them up, or cook it, and dissolving it into soups and stews, for example.”

Can I eat gochujang alone? ›

Gochujang is great for adding a quick punch of flavor to any dish and can be simply used right out of the container (we suggest mixing it with another ingredient such as rice wine vinegar or water to thin it out).

How do Koreans eat gochujang? ›

Gochujang is a fermented red pepper paste that is a staple ingredient in Korean cuisine. This spicy paste is salty, savory and slightly sweet, and can be used in many ways including in soups, stews, marinades and sauces.

What is Korean gochujang sauce used for? ›

Gochujang's sweet-hot-salty flavor shines when it's used in moderation to add depth to all kinds of dishes, from stews and braises to marinades and sauces. Unlike sriracha or Tabasco, gochujang isn't meant to be used as a finishing sauce on its own—it's too aggressive.

Can I put gochujang in ramen? ›

You can add spicy ingredients like Gochujang paste, red pepper/chili flakes, or hot sauce, and then mix it into your cooked noodles for a fiery kick. Just be aware of how it might change the texture of your ramen noodles. For instance, red pepper flakes or chilli powder won't usually change the textures of dishes.

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