Indulge yourself in this flavourful and pungent dish of tofu in black bean sauce. This typical Chinese main course takes only 15 minutes to prepare, so it is perfect for a quick yet nutritious meal. Not only is this fakeaway budget-friendly, but it is fresher and healthier too.
The secret to cooking an authentic Chinese stir-fry recipe like this tofu in black bean sauce recipe is to master the sauce. Fortunately, you don't need to prepare it from scratch thanks to a little help from Lee Kum Kee.
make the best tofu in black bean sauce recipe
Tofu in black bean sauce is an item often found on Chinese takeaway menus. The recipe title might suggest that only tofu features in this dish, but you can actually use as many different kinds of stir-fry vegetables along with the tofu to bulk it out. In this black bean tofu stir-fry I used shiitake mushrooms and spring onions.
However, Lee Kum Kee's Black Bean Garlic Sauce the key ingredient that ties all flavours together into a single bite, giving this dish an authentic Chinese twist. The sauce is a paste of fermented black beans and minced garlic and doesn't contain any flavour enhancers, food colouring, or preservatives. More importantly, it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is an essential component in your kitchen if you love Chinese food. Ultimately, it will enable you to create restaurant quality food in the comfort of your home.
what are shiitake mushrooms?
Shiitake mushrooms are used in many Chinese stir-fry recipes because they bring a certain texture that complements the crunchiness of other vegetables. They work in chicken or beef stir-fry recipes, respectively, so they also work very well in this tofu stir-fry recipe. Just toss them with the tofu in black bean sauce stir-fry at any stage of the cooking process. Shiitake mushrooms soften up quite easily and I like to toss mine in towards the end of cooking time.
Shiitake mushrooms are commonly used in many Asian cuisines. Funnily enough, shiitake mushrooms grow on the decaying wood of shii trees, which are native to Southern Japan, and are related to beech trees and oak trees. First records of cooking and cultivating shiitake mushrooms date back to the early 13th century during the Southern Song dynasty. However, the first recorded description of these mushroom was only introduced in 1769 by a Japanese horticulturalist.
Shiitake mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamins and a great substitute for meat thanks to its umami flavours. So, if you are trying to become a vegetarian or a vegan, you should cook more recipes with these. That's why this tofu in black bean sauce is a fabulous way to start your new lifestyle! You can cook them dried or in their fresh form.
what are the substitutes for shiitake mushrooms?
Sometimes, shiitake mushrooms are not available because they are out of season or sold out. If you can't get your hands on them, then you can easily substitute them with Portobello mushrooms. These are just as earthy as shiitake mushrooms, however, they are larger and have a firmer texture. They take slightly longer to cook, so add them at an earlier stage during the cooking process.
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Oyster mushrooms are also worthy substitute because they too grow on trees. They are often used in stir-fry dishes and I would say they are the main competitor to the shiitake. Lastly, you can also use porcini mushrooms which are very popular in Europe for their nutty flavour.
how to serve a black bean sauce dish
Tofu black bean stir fry is most commonly served with steamed white rice. However, as any other person I do enjoy my stir-fries with noodles. If you're on a low-carb diet, you can also opt for making zoodles - a great recipe can be found here. They are great for cutting down on extra calories. Plus, they'll make your tofu in black bean sauce more robust and voluminous.
If you are serving this Chinese and authentic tofu in black bean sauce as a main course, then I highly recommend you consider a starter. Try making this easy Chinese chicken and sweetcorn soup. Don't forget to check out my sweet and sour chicken recipe!
Love tofu? Check out my salt and pepper tofu recipe!
Print📖 Recipe
Tofu in Black Bean Sauce
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Tofu in black bean sauce is one of the most authentic Chinese tofu stir-fry recipes you can get. You'll need fermented black bean paste and shiitake mushrooms. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 15ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil
- 400g (1lb) tofu, drained and cut into cubes
- 125g (4oz) shiitake mushrooms
- 10 spring onions, trimmed and chopped
- 1 (70g) sachet Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wok until it starts sizzling.
- Fry the tofu cubes until they are browned on all sides and crispy.
- Add the mushrooms and spring onions and fry for 3 minutes.
- Pour in the sauce and fry for another 2 minutes.
- Serve immediately with steamed white rice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 313
- Sugar: 8.8 g
- Sodium: 2477 mg
- Fat: 17.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 24.7 g
- Fiber: 6.9 g
- Protein: 20.6 g
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Stephanie Simmons
This looks like such a flavorful way to cook tofu! We've been incorporating more meatless meals into our routine so this will be perfect!
Sasmita Sahoo Samanta
Shitake mushrooms and tofu in black bean sauce looks so mouthwatering. Thanks for the inspiration.
Chef Mireille
I am not a tofu fan but shitakes are my fave mushroom so I can definitely adapt this recipe to my palate - you are giving me some great ideas!
Mirlene
This dish sounds wonderful and healthy. I have tried tofu,I am interested in trying it now.
Kari Heron
I love tofu and the best way to cook it is in authentic Asian recipes because they handle it best. This is a classic and making me hungry just about now!
Linda
This is my fo-to meal when I don't feel like cooking but never tried this sauce from Lee Kum Kee sauce. Definitely a keeper for when you need 15 mins to set up dinner. And tofu and mushroom? Sounds delicious!
Amanda
Everything about this recipe sounds delicious. I've been craving a good Chinese dish recently, and this looks perfect. Definitely making this soon!
Jacqueline Debono
I have never tried tofu but this recipe looks and sounds yummy. I love black bean sauce! Going to pin it for later!
Catherine Brown
I love the simplicity of this dish! I love tofu that's been prepared properly and these sauce choices look fantastic ... definitely going to look for them now!
Adriana Lopez Martin
Shitake mushrooms are my favorite meaty and perfect for a dish using black bean sauce. Your photos are mouthwatering. Thanks for the inspiration.
Kelly Anthony
Thank you for the list of substitutions for shiitake mushrooms because like you said they aren't always at the store. Can't wait to make my very own authentic Chinese stir-fry recipe.
michelle
you're welcome 🙂
Karyl Henry
I have some leftover tofu in the fridge, waiting to be used. This recipe looks like the perfect way to use it up. I press out as much of the liquid as I can of my tofu, because I like to get that crispy texture on the outside
Stine Mari
Yummy! I think spring onions and shiitake mushrooms sound absolutely perfect in this black bean sauce. Both tofu and mushroom soak up all the flavors too, amazing.
Gloria
Love the sound of this sauce. Black bean sauce is one of my favourites. I'm sure the tofu soaks up the flavours wonderfully. A great "meatless" option for dinner.