This easy spicy peanut tofu power bowl is vegan, gluten-free, high in plant-based protein and packed with good-for-you ingredients. The perfect healthy meal is just at reach!
I could have this tofu power bowl (poke bowl style!) on repeat all week long! I’m obsessed with the creamy peanut sauce coating the tofu, all the raw and crunchy vegetables, the sushi rice, not to forget all the additional toppings to make this bowl a feast!
Also, if you’re new to eating tofu or have never really been a fan of it, this recipe will make you change your mind! Learn how to make it, make it again for lunch, picnic or any occasion, change the toppings every so often, and enjoy!
This spicy peanut tofu power bowl is:
- Vegan and gluten-free ✔
- Packed with protein ✔
- Healthy and satisfying ✔
- Easy to customize ✔
Main components of tofu power bowl
By reading the list of ingredients, this tofu power bowl may seem a little complex. I hear you loud and clear: “do I have all the ingredients at hand?” “Will I end up buying soooo many ingredients I will only use this one time?” “Is it even worth it?”
Good news: you DON’T HAVE TO have all the ingredients to make this power bowl! I listed all the ones I use to make this bowl extra delicious but one missing ingredient will never ruin your recipe. And there is more: there are indeed many possible variations around the recipe so you can easily swap a few ingredients!
Here are the main components you need for this recipe:
Peanut butter sauce. It is basically made of peanut butter (use it unsweetened, I prefer smooth but crunchy works too), alongside with a few condiments. Sesame oil and rice vinegar are a must in this recipe, but then you can play with the other ones, replacing fresh grated ginger with ground ginger (although for bolder flavors I always recommend the fresh one), using or skipping the hot sauce, or maybe skipping the sweetener if you wish!
Sushi rice. I use sushi rice for this recipe, to give a little Asian touch to the dish. But you could basically replace with Arborio rice or other short-grain rice of choice. For a healthier version, consider using brown rice instead.
Raw vegetables. Here I used grated carrots, sliced cucumber and a few edamame. It goes without saying that you can then let yourself be guided by your creativity and use other raw vegetables.
How to build a tofu power bowl?
Now that you feel a little bit more comfortable with the list of ingredients to use (or at least I hope!), let’s build this tofu power bowl together!
- Start with cooking the rice separately and set aside.
- Gather all the ingredients for the spicy peanut sauce and combine them in a bowl. You can thinner out the sauce a little by adding some water if needed.
- Chop or shred all the veggies you’re using and set aside.
- Stir-fry diced tofu until nicely seared and golden. When ready, coat in the peanut sauce.
- Now, evenly distribute the rice in 4 bowls, then add the peanut coated tofu, all the raw veggies, and toppings of choice (I highly recommend soy sauce and fresh mint). And voilà!
A little variation around the recipe
A quick, simple variation I love for this tofu power bowl consists in replacing peanut butter with cashew butter instead! Then, I replace the carrots with diced mango, add the remaining cucumber and edamame, and top with toasted cashews. Delicious!
More Asian-inspired meals you’ll love:
- Asian Tofu Broccoli Stir-Fry
- Spicy Peanut Butter Noodles
- Thai Quinoa Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing
- Easy Vegan Thai Green Curry
- Vegan Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
- Thai Sweet Potato Soup
Other veggie bowls to try:
- Vegetarian Cauliflower Burrito Bowl
- Nourishing Buddha Bowl with Green Tahini Sauce
- Spiced Chickpea Sweet Potato Buddha Bowl
Spicy Peanut Tofu Power Bowl
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Waiting time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Savory
- Cuisine: World Cuisine
- Diet: Vegetarian
This easy spicy peanut tofu power bowl is vegan, gluten-free, high in plant-based protein and packed with good-for-you ingredients. The perfect healthy meal is just at reach!
Ingredients
For the rice bowls:
- 1 ½ cup (280g) uncooked round or sushi rice*
- 14 ounces (400g) super firm tofu
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2–4 medium carrots, grated
- ½ English cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup (80g) edamame
For the spicy peanut sauce:
- ½ cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoons agave or maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
- 1 to 2 teaspoon(s) Sriracha or any hot chile sauce
- Water, as needed to thin out the sauce
Additional toppings (optional)**:
- Lime wedges, for serving
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- Fresh mint leaves
- White and/or black sesame, slightly toasted
- Soy sauce, for serving (use gluten-free soy sauce!)***
Instructions
- Cook the rice according to the package instructions. Let cool slightly.
- For the sauce, warm up the peanut butter 10-15 seconds in the microwave to soften it up a little bit if needed. In a small bowl, combine together the peanut butter, agave syrup, lime juice, sesame oil, rice vinegar, fresh ginger and Sriracha sauce. Add water, one Tablespoon at a time, until you obtain the desired consistency.
- Set tofu on top of plate and pat-dry with paper towel. Place a cast iron pan or something else that is heavy on top and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Dice tofu into bite-sized pieces. Heat vegetable oil in a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat. Once really hot, add tofu and let cook without touching until nicely seared on the bottom. Flip over, and continue to cook until seared on the other side.
- Pour the spicy peanut sauce over the tofu, and toss to coat.
- Distribute the rice in 4 bowls, and garnish with tofu coated in peanut sauce, grated carrots, sliced cucumbers, and edamame. Serve with lime wedges, chopped scallions, fresh mint, and toasted sesame. Enjoy!
Notes
* For a healthier version, consider using brown rice instead.
** All of these toppings are optional and it’s totally up to you add all of them or just a few. I personally love the addition of each of the mentioned toppings and I admit my weakness goes to the fresh mint (you can use fresh cilantro instead) and the final drizzle of soy sauce over the bowl when serving.
*** To ensure the dish is gluten-free from A to Z, use gluten-free soy sauce. If you’re not gluten intolerant, you can use regular soy sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
Lastly, if you make this Spicy Peanut Tofu Power Bowl, be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating, letting me know how you liked it. And of course, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Thank you and enjoy!
