Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps - These crispy tofu lettuce wraps are light but satisfying, with crunchy tofu cubes tucked into cool, crisp lettuce and finished with a glossy, savory sauce. The tofu turns golden and crackly on the outside while staying tender inside, giving you that perfect contrast of textures in every bite. The flavor balance is salty-sweet with a bright, garlicky edge and a touch of acidity that keeps the wraps refreshing. This tofu dinner recipe is perfect for a plant based weeknight meal because it cooks quickly, feels clean, and still delivers the kind of crunch and comfort people crave.

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Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps - This recipe works because it treats tofu like a blank canvas that needs two things: moisture control and high heat. After testing, I found that pressing tofu well is the difference between crisp and rubbery; removing water makes room for browning and lets the surface caramelize instead of steaming. The second key is a light cornstarch coating, which creates a thin, crunchy shell that stays crisp long enough for meal prep. For the sauce, whisking the starch into cold liquid first prevents lumps, then a quick simmer thickens it into a glossy coat that clings to the tofu instead of pooling at the bottom. This is exactly what makes crispy tofu lettuce wraps feel restaurant-style without complicated steps. The method is straightforward but delivers professional results: press, coat, crisp, glaze, and assemble. If you are searching healthy lettuce wraps that do not feel like diet food, this hits the mark because the crunch is real and the sauce is deeply savory. It also fits easy tofu recipe intent because the cues are clear: cook until the tofu is deeply golden, and reduce the sauce just until it turns shiny and spoonable. This aligns with my focus on technique over complexity, showing how basic pantry ingredients can build flavor and texture in a reliable way for a plant based weeknight meal rotation.

Dietary Notes

✓ Plant-Based Weeknight Meal
✓ Crunchy Tofu Texture
✓ Healthy Lettuce Wraps
✓ Meal-Prep Friendly

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Why You'll Love This

Crispy Every Time: Pressing and a light cornstarch coat guarantee golden, crunchy tofu cubes.
Fast Weeknight Dinner: This tofu dinner recipe cooks quickly and assembles in minutes.
Fresh And Light: Cool lettuce and bright toppings keep these healthy lettuce wraps satisfying.
Easy To Customize: Swap sauces and toppings to keep the easy tofu recipe rotation exciting.

Crispy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

👩‍🍳 Author: Chef Nour

⏰ Prep Time: 25min

❄️ Cool Time: 0

🔥 Cook Time: 15min

🥨 Yield: 4

🍞 Method: Sautéing

🌾 Diet: Vegetarian

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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restaurant Ingredients

14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp neutral oil
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp sesame oil
to taste sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional)
12 leaves butter lettuce or romaine leaves
1 cup carrots, shredded
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
2 scallions, sliced
2 tbsp sesame seeds or chopped peanuts
to serve lime wedges

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extra-firm tofu, pressed Press tofu well so it browns instead of steaming; moisture control is the key to crispy tofu lettuce wraps. Extra-firm tofu holds shape and develops a crunchy shell while staying tender inside, perfect for a tofu dinner recipe.
cornstarch Cornstarch creates a thin, crisp coating that helps tofu caramelize quickly and stay crunchy under sauce. Toss lightly for an even coat; too much starch can taste dusty instead of clean and restaurant-style.
neutral oil Use a neutral, high-heat oil so the tofu can sear properly without burning flavors. Enough oil helps the surface crisp evenly, which is what makes this an easy tofu recipe that still tastes satisfying.
soy sauce Soy sauce is the salty backbone that builds flavor fast; it turns glossy when reduced and clings to the tofu. If your soy sauce is very salty, use low-sodium and adjust at the end to keep healthy lettuce wraps balanced.
rice vinegar Vinegar adds acidity that brightens the glaze and keeps the wraps tasting light. This is an easy way to build flavor without extra salt or heaviness, ideal for a plant based weeknight meal.
honey or maple syrup A small amount of sweetness balances soy sauce and helps the glaze caramelize into a shiny coat. Use maple to keep it vegetarian-friendly and to add a subtle warm note that pairs with ginger.
garlic cloves, minced Garlic adds savory punch; add it to the sauce so it simmers briefly and tastes rounded, not raw. If garlic burns in the pan, it turns bitter, so keep it in the liquid phase rather than frying dry.
fresh ginger, grated Ginger adds clean warmth that keeps the glaze from feeling heavy and supports a fresh, bright finish. Grate finely so it disperses evenly and does not create fibrous bites.
sesame oil Sesame oil is a finishing oil; stir it in off heat so its aroma stays nutty and fragrant. Too much can dominate, so keep it measured for balance.
sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional) Add chili sauce for adjustable heat without changing the base method; it turns this into a spicy version while staying a healthy lettuce wraps concept. Stir in at the end so you can control intensity and keep the glaze glossy.
butter lettuce or romaine leaves Choose crisp leaves that act like cups; butter lettuce is tender and flexible, while romaine adds crunch. Keep lettuce cold and dry so the wraps stay fresh and do not wilt under warm tofu.
carrots, shredded Shredded carrots add crunch and color and keep the wraps feeling bright. If prepping ahead, store carrots dry so they do not water down the wrap.
cucumber, thinly sliced Cucumber adds cool, juicy contrast that balances the hot, crispy tofu. Slice thin so it layers easily and keeps the bite clean and refreshing.
scallions, sliced Scallions add fresh bite and a clean onion note that lifts the sauce. Add at serving so they stay crisp and keep the wraps tasting lively.
sesame seeds or chopped peanuts Seeds or peanuts add crunch and a nutty finish that makes the texture more satisfying. Toast lightly for deeper flavor if you have time; it builds flavor fast without complexity.
lime wedges A squeeze of lime adds bright acidity that makes the whole wrap taste lighter and more balanced. Acid is the final cue that turns a good tofu dinner recipe into a crisp, fresh, plant based weeknight meal.

list_alt Instructions

1

Step 1: Press tofu for at least 15 minutes, then cut into bite-size cubes - removing water prevents steaming and helps the surface crisp and caramelize.
2

Step 2: Toss tofu with cornstarch until lightly coated - the starch forms a thin shell that turns crunchy and holds sauce better.
3

Step 3: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook tofu 8-10 minutes, turning until deeply golden on most sides - high heat builds crisp texture instead of softness.
4

Step 4: Whisk soy sauce, vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, and a splash of water; pour into the pan and simmer 1-2 minutes until glossy - simmering thickens the sauce so it clings instead of pooling.
5

Step 5: Turn off heat and stir in sesame oil and chili sauce if using - finishing off heat keeps aromas bright and balanced.
6

Step 6: Spoon tofu into lettuce leaves and top with carrots, cucumber, scallions, and seeds - fresh toppings add crunch and make healthy lettuce wraps satisfying.
7

Step 7: Squeeze lime over the wraps and serve immediately - acidity wakes up flavors and keeps the wraps light and refreshing.

Nutrition Facts

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Calories 360

Protein 18g

Carbs 28g

Fiber 6g

Sugar 10g

Fat 20g

Sodium 980mg

Potassium N/A

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Serving Suggestions

Serve the tofu warm so it stays crisp, and use chilled butter lettuce or romaine cups for a clean, crunchy base. Spoon a little extra sauce over the top and finish with shredded carrots, sliced cucumber, and fresh herbs so the wraps look bright and layered. For extra texture, add chopped peanuts or sesame seeds, and offer lime wedges for a final squeeze of acidity. These wraps are best assembled right before eating so the lettuce stays crisp and the tofu stays crunchy. For parties, set out a build-your-own platter so everyone can customize spice level and toppings.

How to Store?

Store the crispy tofu and sauce separately in the fridge for up to 4 days; separating keeps the tofu from softening. Reheat tofu in a skillet or air fryer for 4-6 minutes until crisp again, then toss with warmed sauce right before serving. Lettuce and fresh toppings should be stored separately and assembled fresh for the best texture. Freezing is not ideal for crisp tofu, but you can freeze pressed tofu before cooking if you want a chewier texture later; thaw, press again, then coat and crisp as usual. For meal prep, portion tofu and sauce into containers and keep lettuce ready so wraps come together fast.

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