Asian Tofu Salad with sesame-roasted red cabbage, vermicelli noodles, and a peanut dressing. This tasty Asian salad is loaded with antioxidants, meal-prep-friendly, vegan, and gluten-free. Plus, tips for how to get the most flavor from your marinated tofu.
This vibrant tofu salad is the perfect addition to any picnic, barbecue, or potluck. Plus, it's easy to prepare ahead of time and tastes just as delicious 4 days later! The Asian dressing is flavorful, and tangy, and has a slight kick from the optional jalapeรฑo. If you are looking for a break from the same old salad routine, this crunchy red cabbage salad with air fryer or baked tofu does the trick!
This recipe was inspired by my Tofu and Sweet Potato Bowl with Orzo, as well as this High-Protein Vermicelli Noodle Salad with Air Fryer Tofu.
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๐ฉ๐ผโ๐พ Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu or super firm tofu are best suited for this Asian Tofu Salad. Super firm tofu contains the highest amount of protein and comes pre-pressed so it is very convenient, but it is sometimes hard to find. I typically use Nasoya or Wildwood brands. Breaking the block with your hands increases the surface area, so it absorbs more of the marinade than if you were to slice it with a knife.
- Red cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, is a star ingredient in this tofu salad. It contains anthocyanins, which are responsible for its vibrant purple-reddish color. Red cabbage is high in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and fiber, and low in calories. One half-cup contains about 45% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, but just 14 calories. Cooked cabbage may supply more antioxidants to the body, and is easier to digest.
- Peanut butter contains fiber, several vitamins and minerals, plant-based protein, and heart-healthy fats. Choose one made from just ground peanuts for the healthiest Asian dressing.
- Nutritional yeast adds protein, vitamins, and minerals (including vitamin B12), and an umami cheesy flavor to the tofu.
See the recipe card for quantities.
๐ฅฌ Substitutions
- Red cabbage - use green cabbage instead, or a mixture or red and green
- Tofu - use tempeh or chickpeas instead to change things up
- Glass noodles - add glass noodles, or vermicelli noodles as desired.
- Jalapeรฑo - the jalapeรฑo adds a kick to this Asian Tofu Salad recipe, but is an optional ingredient
- Nutritional yeast - omit as needed
- Tamari - use gluten-free tamari for gluten-free, or use soy sauce instead
- Peanut butter - Most kinds of nut butter (almond, cashew, walnut) will work in the Asian dressing for this tofu salad. For nut-free, use SunButter instead.
- Green onion - substitute with shallots, or red onion
- Sesame oil - substitute with any neutral-flavored oil
- Sesame seeds - use toasted sesame seeds for a more intense, nutty flavor
Try my Curried Cabbage Salad for a crunchy and flavorful meal-prep-friendly meal. Visit my Vegan Salad Recipes page for more high-protein vegan salads.
๐ Instructions
Step 1. Marinate the tofu: Break the tofu in to 1-inch chunks and place them into a medium bowl. Toss with tamari, and nutritional yeast. Drizzle with olive oil.
Step 2. Bake or air fry the tofu: Transfer the tofu to a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Bake at 425ยบF (or air fry) for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
Step 3. Cook the red cabbage: Toss the cabbage in lemon juice. Drizzle with oil. Bake with the tofu, or air fry separately, for about 10 minutes, or until the desired texture.
Step 4. Make the Asian dressing: Add the tamari, peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, jalapeรฑo, and 1 tablespoon of warm water to a medium bowl. Mix to combine. Drizzle in the sesame oil while whisking to incorporate.
Step 5. Combine the ingredients for the Tofu Salad: Place the cabbage, tofu, carrot, green onion, sesame seeds, and dressing in a large bowl. Gently mix to incorporate.
๐ก Expert Tips
- Cutting the tofu: Breaking the tofu with your hands increases the surface area around each piece much more than slicing it with a knife. This means it absorbs more of the marinade and becomes even more flavorful and crispy in the oven.
- Red cabbage prep: Adding a dash of lemon juice to the red cabbage before roasting prevents it from losing its purple color in the oven.
- Air fryer tofu is even crispier. Use an air fryer if you have one. You can also cook the cabbage in an air fryer! Set it to 400ยบF and cook until the desired crispiness.
- Cooking the red cabbage is optional. Cooked cabbage is easier to digest, and the body may absorb even more antioxidants than from raw cabbage. However, raw cabbage has different health benefits.
- Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Asian Tofu Salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
๐ฝ Recipe FAQs
Place the chopped cabbage in an airtight container, and the chopped jalapeรฑo, green onion, and carrot in a second container. Marinate the tofu and place it in a third container. Make the Asian dressing and store it in a fourth airtight container. Bake or air fry the tofu and cabbage right before serving. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl for serving.
You can also cook the tofu and cabbage ahead of time as cold tofu tastes great in this salad.
Yes, raw tofu is safe to consume straight out of the packaging, regardless of the type. It can be eaten warm or cold. However, drain off any excess water from the tofu before eating it.ย
This Tofu Salad can be served warm or chilled. Add the baked tofu and red cabbage straight from the oven and enjoy. Or refrigerate this salad for up to 5 days and serve it chilled. It tastes amazing both ways.
๐ฝ Related Recipes
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๐ Recipe
Asian Tofu Salad
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Ingredients
- 1 (14 to 16-ounce) packet extra firm tofu or super firm tofu, pressed
- 1 ยฝ tablespoons tamari or soy sauce (preferably low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- Drizzle of olive oil (optional)
- ยฝ small head red cabbage chopped (6 cups)
- ยฝ lemon juice
For the Asian dressing:
- 3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce (preferably low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter or any nut butter, or SunButter for nut-free
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 jalapeรฑo minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil or neutral oil
For the salad:
- 3 green onion thinly sliced (green and white parts)
- 1 large carrot grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- 2.5 ounces vermicelli noodles or glass noodles, cut into about 4-inch pieces (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ยบF, oran air fryer to 400ยบF.
- Bake the tofu: Break the tofu in to 1-inch chunks and place them onto a large rimmed nonstick baking sheet. Toss the tofu in tamari, and nutritional yeast. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake or air fry for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Cook the red cabbage: Toss the cabbage in lemon juice. Drizzle with oil. Bake with the tofu, or air fry separately, for about 10 minutes, or until the desired texture.
- Make the dressing: Add the tamari, peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice, jalapeรฑo, and 1 tablespoon warm water to a medium bowl. Mix to combine. Drizzle in the sesame oil while whisking to incorporate.
- Combine: Add the cabbage, tofu, carrot, green onion, sesame seeds, and dressing to a large bowl. Gently mix to incorporate.
Notes
- Cutting the tofu: Breaking the tofu with your hands increases the surface area around each piece much more than slicing it with a knife. This means it absorbs more of the marinade, and becomes even more flavorful and crispy in the oven.
- Red cabbage: Adding a dash of lemon juice to the red cabbage before roasting prevents it from losing it's purple color in the oven.
- Air fryer tofu is even crispier. Use an air fryer of you have one. You can also cook the cabbage in an air fryer! Set it to 400ยบF and cook until the desired crispiness.
- Cooking the red cabbage is optional. Cooked cabbage is easier to digest, and the body may absorb even more antioxidants than from raw cabbage. However, raw cabbage has different health benefits.
- Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Tofu Salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
D says
You list the noodles and other salad ingredients but they're not included in your instructions. Just add at the end, raw, cooked?
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Add cooked noodles as desired.
Barbara says
Loved this! So quick and easy to make and so tasty. I had a head of green cabbage and decided to braise it and let it caramelize and then added the sauce. Took it off the heat, added the remaining ingredients except for the noodles which somehow I had overlooked. Didnโt have any on hand anyway and it was delicious just the same.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
So good with braised cabbage!
Shruti says
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
Made this today. And I am definitely going to keep making this. It has soo much flavour and yet healthy! I feel like I am having a cheat meal. Lol. Itโs a big hit at home. Highly recommend this to anyone who is reading the comments section ๐
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
I really appreciate you taking the tome to leave a comment. I'm so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you.
Maribeth says
Love it! I the only thing I changed was chickpeas instead of tofu and I used uncooked Ramin noodles for crunch instead of cooked.
Will definitely make again.
Thank you!
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
It must be delicious with ramen! Thank you for leaving a comment.
Mel says
Made this for dinner the other night and had enough leftovers for two work lunches! It was delicious and flavourful, especially the lemony cabbage. I loved it hot and cold. Decided to leave out the noodles but still super filling! Definitely will be making it again.
Nisha Melvani says
I'm so glad it was a hit! Thank you for leaving a comment and making it!
Natalie says
Love this recipe! Easy to make and yummy! The tips on how to cook the tofu are helpful and the dressing is delicious
I made this for meal prep and canโt wait to eat it again!
Nisha Melvani says
I'm so glad it was a hit. Thank you for letting me know.
Shannon B says
I saw this on IG and knew I had to make it. Itโs fantastic! Thanks for another great recipe!
Nisha Melvani says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.