Tahu Sambal (Crispy Tofu in Chilli Sambal)
Golden fried tofu cubes tossed in a hot sambal sauce with tomato and spring onion, a bold vegan dish with crunch.
Made with Sambal oelek (chilli sambal). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.26 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Press the tofu between clean tea towels under a heavy pan for 15 minutes, then pat dry and cut into cubes.
15 min - 2
Heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a large non stick pan over a medium high heat. Fry the tofu for 8 to 10 minutes, turning, until golden and crisp on most sides. Lift out onto kitchen paper.
9 min - 3
Add the last tbsp of oil to the pan. Fry the shallots and garlic for 2 minutes until soft.
2 min - 4
Add your ready made sambal oelek (see the base recipe) and the tomatoes and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the tomatoes break down into a thick sauce.
3 min 30 s - 5
Return the tofu to the pan with the tamari and toss gently for 1 minute until coated and hot.
- 6
Scatter with spring onions and serve with cucumber slices to cool the heat.
Tips
- Pressing the tofu removes water and is what makes it crisp. Do not skip it.
- Do not stir the tofu too often at first. Let a crust form before turning.
- Add the tofu back to the sauce at the last minute so it stays crunchy.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away while crisp. Leftovers keep 2 days in the fridge once cooled within 2 hours and are good cold in a salad. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use tempeh instead of tofu?
Yes. Cut 300 g of gluten free tempeh into small cubes and fry for 6 to 8 minutes. It has a nuttier flavour and holds up well in the sauce.
Is it vegan and low carb?
Yes. It has no animal products, flour, rice or added sugar, so it is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free and nut free, and a good low carb option. Serve with salad or greens.
Can I bake the tofu instead?
Yes. Toss the cubes in 1 tbsp oil and bake at 220 degrees C for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once. It is less crisp than frying but needs less oil.
More made with sambal oelek (chilli sambal)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.