Vegetarian Pork Tonkatsu
Discover a mouthwatering twist on a classic Japanese favorite with this Vegetarian Pork Tonkatsu recipe! Made with firm tofu as the star ingredient, this plant-based version is irresistibly crispy on the outside, thanks to a crunchy panko breadcrumb coating, while remaining tender and flavorful on the inside. Perfectly seasoned tofu slices are pan-fried to golden perfection and paired with a homemade tangy tonkatsu sauce made from ketchup, soy sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and mustard for a bold flavor kick. Served alongside crisp shredded cabbage and garnished with fresh green onions, this dish offers a well-balanced, satisfying meal that’s ideal for vegetarians looking to enjoy comfort food with an Asian flair. Ready in under an hour, it’s the perfect meat-free dinner idea for any night of the week!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 14 oz firm tofu
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 0.5 cup plant-based milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 0.25 cup ketchup
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian)
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 2 cups cabbage, shredded
- 1 tbsp green onion, sliced
Instructions
Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a weight on top (such as a frying pan) to press the tofu for about 15 minutes. This removes excess moisture.
Slice the tofu: Once pressed, cut the tofu into 1/2-inch thick slices and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
Prepare the coating station: Set up three separate shallow dishes. In the first, mix flour and cornstarch. In the second, pour the plant-based milk. In the third, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Coat the tofu: Dredge each tofu slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip in the plant-based milk, then coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.
Fry the tofu: Carefully add the breaded tofu slices to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Make the tonkatsu sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and yellow mustard until well combined.
Serve immediately: Arrange the crispy tofu tonkatsu on plates alongside shredded cabbage. Drizzle with tonkatsu sauce and garnish with sliced green onion before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
589 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 35.1 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.1 g | 25% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 16.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 934 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 50.1 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.7 g | ||
| Protein | 21.4 g | 43% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 755 mg | 58% | |
| Iron | 4.8 mg | 27% | |
| Potassium | 411 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
