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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Recipes

    Published: Jun 27, 2022 · Modified: Oct 4, 2022 by Petranka · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Copycat Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This copycat recipe of Panda Express Eggplant Tofu combines crispy tofu, fried eggplants, and red peppers with a sticky sweet and spicy sauce! Vegan and gluten-free!

    A blue bowl filled with Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe topped with green onion and sesame seeds.

    If you've been wanting to try this dish for a while, but they don't serve it at your Panda Express location, this is your sign to make it at home! It's easy to prep and made with cheap ingredients.

    This Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe is sweet, spicy, savory, and packed with layers of flavor! It makes the perfect weeknight dinner because it can be on the table in around 30 minutes.

    This recipe was inspired and adapted from our vegan teriyaki stir fry, which is on repeat in my kitchen this summer.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make Copycat Panda Express Eggplant Tofu
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ
    • Substitutions
    • Serving
    • Storage
    • Similar Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Food safety

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Eggplants: Make sure to pick small eggplants that are firm to the touch and have glossy skin.
    • Tofu: Use extra-firm tofu for best results.
    • Sesame oil: Just 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil gives this stir fry a nutty flavor.
    • Chili paste: Sambal oelek is originally used in this recipe. It's a chili paste made with a variety of chili peppers, alongside other ingredients like garlic and ginger.
    • Red bell peppers.
    • Granulated sugar.
    • Soy sauce.
    • Rice vinegar.
    • Corn starch.
    • Garlic and ginger.

    See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

    Gathered ingredients for making Panda Express Eggplant Tofu recipe.

    How to Make Copycat Panda Express Eggplant Tofu

    Step 1

    In a medium bowl mix all of the ingredients including the corn starch until it dissolves. I use water for the sauce, but you can also use vegetable or chicken broth.

    Step 2

    Cut tofu into 2-inch chunks and add them to a medium-size bowl, alongside 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Toss to coat.

    Stir fry sauce in a white bowl.
    Cubed tofu tossed with corn starch in a white bowl.

    Step 3

    Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet. Fry the tofu over medium-high heat on all sides until golden and crispy. Once ready, remove from the pan.

    Step 4

    Slice eggplant into small chunks. Add more oil to the skillet and increase the heat to high. Once hot, stir fry eggplant for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

    Frying tofu cubes in a black cast-iron skillet.
    Frying eggplant in a cast-iron skillet.

    Step 5

    Add the red peppers and fry for 3-4 minutes. Then add the minced garlic, ginger, and chopped white parts of the green onion. Cook for 30 seconds on medium-low heat until fragrant.

    Step 6

    Add the tofu and the eggplant back into the skillet, and pour the sauce. Mix to coat all of the veggies and tofu and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Add the green onion and serve!

    Frying red peppers, garlic, ginger, and onion in a cast-iron skillet.
    Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe in a cast-iron skillet.

    Expert Tips

    • Press the tofu in advance. This is a key step in this recipe because it makes the tofu chewy. And doing it 1 - 2 days in advance will save you so much time!
    • Prepare all the ingredients before cooking. There are quite a few steps in this recipe and chopping everything ahead of time makes it so much easier to follow the steps.
    • Don't overcook the veggies. The vegetables in this stir fry are supposed to be crispy and chewy, not soft and mushy. It's important to cook the eggplant for just a few minutes, until golden.
    • If you want to take this recipe to the next level, you can deep fry the tofu.

    FAQ

    Does Panda Express still have eggplant tofu?

    Yes. However, it's a regional dish and is only available at select restaurants where the local demand is high.

    Can you freeze it?

    Nope. If you freeze it, the vegetables will get soggy and the texture of the dish will change.

    Is this stir fry spicy?

    This Panda Express Eggplant Tofu is on the milder side, but if you don't like spicy food, definitely omit the chili paste. You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes instead.

    Can I make this recipe oil-free?

    IMO, no. This is not going to work since the oil is what makes this recipe taste the way that it does. Unlike soups and stews where oil can be replaced with water, this simply won't work here.

    A hand picking a piece of tofu with chopsticks from a bowl filled with Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe.

    Substitutions

    • Sambal Oelek: Since it's harder to find, you can use any kind of chili paste you can find. You may need to adjust the quantity depending on how spicy your chili paste is.
    • Green onions: You can use white onion instead, but you'll need to cook it for 3-4 minutes longer.
    • Red bell pepper: You can use yellow or green peppers or another vegetable of choice.
    • Soy sauce: Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
    • Granulated sugar: You can also use brown sugar or maple syrup.

    Serving

    I like to serve this Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe with some cooked white rice or brown rice on the side, but you can also serve it with a side of green salad or chili oil noodles.

    Storage

    Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. This recipe is not freezer friendly.

    A blue bowl with Panda Express Eggplant Tofu Recipe and rice on the side.

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    📖 Recipe

    Panda Express Tofu Eggplant Recipe

    This copycat recipe of Panda Express Eggplant Tofu combines crispy tofu, fried eggplants and red peppers with a sticky sweet and spicy sauce! Vegan and gluten-free!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegan
    Keyword: sesame, spring, stir fry, Summer, sweet chili sauce, tofu
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Petranka
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Cast iron skillet
    • A bowl

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup olive oil, divided (or another cooking oil)
    • 1 lb extra-firm tofu
    • 2 tablespoon corn starch
    • 1 lb eggplant, cut into chunks with skin
    • 2 (200g) red bell peppers
    • 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
    • 3-4 green onions, white and green parts separated

    Sauce

    • ¼ cup soy sauce (use tamari if gluten-free)
    • ¼ cup vegetable broth or water
    • 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon chili paste or sambal oelek
    • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot starch)

    Instructions

    • Press the tofu in advance. Use a tofu press if you have it on hand. If not, wrap the tofu block in a cloth kitchen towel and place something heavy on top (books, jars, etc.). Press the tofu for 1-2 hours. Use right away or refrigerate for 2 days.
    • Coat the tofu. Cut the pressed tofu into cubes and add it to a bowl alongside 2 tablespoons of corn starch. Toss to coat.
    • Sauce. Make the sauce by adding all of the ingredients to a bowl- soy sauce, cold water or broth, sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sambal oelek, and corn starch. Mix until the corn starch dissolves.
    • Fry. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. Once hot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil and let it heat as well. Add the tofu and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from the pan.
    • Heat 2 tablespoons more olive oil and increase the heat to high. Once hot, add the eggplant pieces and fry for 3-4 minutes on both sides until golden brown. Make sure to not overcrowd the pan, work in 2-3 batches if needed, or the eggplant will steam instead of fry. Once ready, remove from the pan and set aside.
    • To the same pan, heat 1 more tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the red peppers and fry for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and ginger, alongside the white part of the green onions. Fry for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
    • Assemble. Add the fried tofu and eggplant back to the skillet and pour the sauce. Stir until everything is well coated. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the sauce thickens, then remove from the heat. Add the green parts of the onions and serve!
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Notes

    • Press the tofu in advance. This is a key step in this recipe because it makes the tofu chewy. And doing it 1 - 2 days in advance will save you so much time!
    • Prepare all the ingredients before cooking. There are quite a few steps in this recipe and chopping everything ahead of time makes it so much easier.
    • Don't overcook the veggies. The vegetables in this recipe are supposed to be crispy and chewy, not soft. It's important to cook the eggplants for just a few minutes, or they will get soggy.
    • If you want to take this recipe to the next level and make the tofu crispier, you can deep fry it.
    Storage
    Store leftovers in an airtight container for 4-5 days. This recipe is not freezer friendly.
     To reheat
     
    Reheat on the stovetop with some oil for 4-5 minutes or until warmed through. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
     
    *Total time doesn't include the time it takes to press the tofu, because it can be done ahead of time.
    **Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 301kcal

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

    Food safety

    • Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
    • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
    • Wash hands after touching raw meat
    • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
    • Never leave cooking food unattended
    • Use oils with a high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
    • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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      Beyond Meat Bolognese Recipe (BEST Vegan Meat Sauce)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Louise says

      September 10, 2022 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe with just the right amount of sauce.

      Reply
    2. John says

      September 10, 2022 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      The soft and warm eggplant pieces complimented by the smoky tofu were the perfect touch for early autumn. Super easy too.

      Reply
    3. Latoya says

      September 30, 2022 at 4:40 am

      5 stars
      This turned out great! I pressed the tofu 1.5 hours, and deepfried both tofu, and eggplant in a deep fryer, and used a wok to cook the veggies and sause. Then Incorporated the deep fried items in the wok with the sauce. YUM!
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        September 30, 2022 at 11:13 am

        So glad you liked it, Latoya! Thanks for the review!

        Reply
    4. Susan says

      February 26, 2023 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is the perfect copy Panda Express restaurant's version which is my absolute favorite meal! So sorry that most Panda Express restaurants don't make it anymore in Southern California. Thank you for this recipe. I want to make it often, at least once a month. I love the way the tofu and eggplant can be browned in a small amount of oil. The key is to do it in batches like you said, so they can brown and not steam. It takes a little time but it's a work in progress for a tasty meal. This dish is not only delicious, it's colorfully beautiful. It looks like a art masterpiece in a bowl.

      Reply

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    Sunglow Kitchen is a food blog about delicious vegan and vegetarian recipes. We share easy-to-make and budget-friendly meal ideas that anyone can make at home! Cooking is a BIG passion of mine and I am excited to show you how simple it can be! More about me...

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