By now, it’s probably obvious just how much we love tofu—tofu soups, tofu stews, pan-fried tofu… It’s true: tofu really is a super ingredient. It’s low in fat and sodium, with high-quality plant protein. It’s rich in minerals as well as vitamins B1, B2, K, and folate.

Beyond being healthy, tofu has also an incredible flavor potential waiting to be unlocked.

So yes, let’s enjoy tofu wholeheartedly.

Today, we’re sharing another unforgettable tofu dish: baked frozen tofu with savory meat juices.

🥢 Main Ingredients

Frozen tofu, Tomatoes, Button mushrooms, Diced potatoes, Minced pork

Doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste), Garlic, Rosemary, Lemon, White pepper, Chili oil, Salt

🥢 Simple steps

1，Lightly pan-sear the tofu

Add the pre-prepped, cubed frozen tofu to a pan with a little oil.
Sear over medium heat until the surface takes on a light color.
Don’t fry it for too long and don’t let it turn deep golden.
Turn off the heat and transfer the tofu to a baking dish.

2，Assemble the baking dish

Arrange the tofu pieces in the dish.
Sprinkle the minced pork evenly over the top.
Add the diced potatoes (smaller than the tofu pieces), tomato chunks (cut large tomatoes into pieces; cherry tomatoes can go in whole), and chopped button mushrooms.
Finish with a few sprigs of rosemary for aroma.

3，Make the seasoning paste

In a small bowl, mix a spoonful of doubanjiang with minced garlic (garlic paste works even better), a pinch of white pepper, and—if you enjoy spice—a little chili oil. Drizzle this mixture evenly over all ingredients in the baking dish.

4，Preheat the oven
Now it’s time to preheat your oven to 230°C (about 445°F).

5，First Baking: Before putting the dish into the oven, squeeze in some lemon juice—half a lemon is enough. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and place it on the middle rack. Bake for 10 minutes.

During this ‘steam-bake’ stage, the ingredients release their juices as they heat up, while the frozen tofu expands, opening up tiny pores that soak up all the sauce.

6，Second Baking: Remove the foil. Lower the bottom heat to 180°C while keeping the upper at 230°C, and bake for another 10 minutes.

During this stage, Tofu’s surface tightens and seals in all the rich juices it absorbed.

7，The end: Now, turn off the oven and bring the dish straight to the table. Whether you serve it with bread or rice, this baked frozen tofu with meat juices is a perfect match.

It’s rich with deep, saucy aromas; the meat drippings turn sweet-savory as they caramelize; and the tofu—crispy at the edges and juicy inside—bursts softly the moment you bite into it. A delightful surprise in both flavor and texture.

We’re pretty sure you won’t leave a single drop of sauce in the pan. Give it a try when you have the time—you won’t regret it.