This easy Harissa Tofu recipe has a big flavor, thanks to a few tablespoons of Harissa paste. You might want to make extras, as leftovers make a great addition to salads and grain bowls.
Harissa is a north African hot red pepper paste that livens food up. It’s especially tasty with tofu.
Here I'll show you how to make ridiculously simple Harissa Tofu cubes. It's made with five ingredients and can be whipped up in no time.
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Here's Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy. This spiced tofu dish is healthy and can be made in 20 minutes or less. It’s great for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Healthy. This Harissa Tofu dish is an excellent source of protein — as well as essential minerals and B vitamins. Tofu contains all 9 essential amino acids that the body can't make on its own. That's why it's a good idea to include tofu recipes in your weekly menu.
- Delicious. This simple tofu dish is loaded with flavor, even without any meat. You can enjoy it alongside Basmati rice, quinoa, or salad.
Ingredients
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
Ingredient Notes
- Harissa paste. You can purchase Harissa paste in practically any supermarket in the Asian foods section. It is also sold on Amazon. There is spicy and mild Harissa. I used a mild version which is barely spicy but depending on your preferences, you can pick a spicy one.
- Avocado oil. I love using avocado oil for cooking/baking because it works great for high-heat cooking. If you don't have it, olive oil can be used instead.
- Tamari. It's very similar to soy sauce and is made from fermented soybeans. If you don't have it, you can use regular soy sauce. To minimize sodium content, choose a low-sodium soy sauce. Alternatively, you can use coconut aminos. It's not as salty though so you might want to adjust the salt content.
🔪 Instructions
Making these Harissa tofu cubes is super easy if you follow my simple steps below.
- Fold two paper towels and place them on a cutting board. Place a tofu block on top.
- Fold one piece of paper towel over the tofu and press lightly until the paper towel is all soaked.
- Discard the paper towel. Flip the tofu on its side and cut it in half.
- Flip the tofu back again and cut it into 4 even strips.
- From here, cut the tofu into even-size cubes.
- Add tofu to a medium bowl along with Tamari and Harissa sauce.
- Toss gently to combine.
- Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add tofu and cook until the sauce slightly thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tips
Make sure to pick extra-firm tofu. It's firmer than other tofu varieties and is less likely to fall apart during cooking.
Recipe Variations
You can also add more veggies to this simple yet flavorful harissa tofu dish. I recommend stir-frying the vegetables first, then cooking the tofu separately and combining the ingredients all together at the end.
Here're some ideas for the vegetables that will work well in this recipe:
- red onion, thinly sliced
- broccoli, cut into small florets
- cauliflower, cut into small florets
- garlic, sliced and sauteed for 30 seconds
Want to make it spicy? Mix Harissa with some hot Chili sauce or Sriracha sauce. Finally, generously sprinkle cooked harissa tofu cubes with ground black pepper.
Crave more Asian flavor? Drizzle cooked tofu with one teaspoon of sesame oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions.
Frequently Asked Questions
To make crispy tofu, sprinkle it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Cook in oil until tofu is nicely crispy on the sides. Then, add the remaining ingredients and finish cooking according to the instructions.
Harissa has a spicy and savory flavor. The chili peppers used to create harissa give it its predominant flavor.
Typically, these peppers are smoked or roasted, giving harissa a smoky, faintly charred taste. Depending on the variety of chili used, the heat level can change, but harissa is typically quite hot.
In plant-based cooking, harissa goes well with tofu, tempeh, or soy curls. If you're cooking for carnivore friends, feel free to use harissa as a marinade for chicken or pork.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this fantastic Harissa Tofu with a variety of side dishes. Here's what I recommend:
- Basmati rice (white or brown)
- Quinoa
- Couscous
- Noodles
Additionally, don't forget to pair up this extra-firm Harissa tofu with a fresh green salad. I recommend Broccoli Mushroom Salad or Cauliflower Salad With Cucumber and Corn.
Storage Tips
Storage. These easy Harissa Tofu Cubes leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Make sure to cool them first and then put them in a covered food storage container in the fridge.
Reheat tofu in a pan or in a microwave until heated through.
Freezing. You can also freeze tofu for up to 3 months. Defrost the container with tofu overnight in a fridge and then reheat in a pan until heated through.
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Recipe
Super Easy Harissa Tofu Cubes (Vegan and Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1 block 14 oz extra-firm tofu
- 4 tablespoon Harissa paste mild or spicy
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Tamari choose low-sodium if needed
- 2 tablespoon cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Fold two paper towels and place them on a cutting board. Place a tofu block on top.
- Fold one piece of paper towel over the tofu and press lightly until the paper towel is all soaked.
- Discard the paper towel. Flip the tofu on its side and cut it in half.
- Flip the tofu back again and cut it into 4 even strips.
- From here, cut the tofu into even-size cubes.
- Add tofu to a medium bowl along with Tamari and Harissa sauce.
- Mix gently to combine.
- Heat oil in a medium pan over medium heat. Add tofu and cook until the sauce slightly thickens, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve with rice, quinoa and a sprinkling of cilnatro.
Kulia says
I'm not a big fan of Tofu, but this recipe looks so interesting. I'm definitely gonna make it. Thanks.