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Cozy bowl of tofu and beef one pot served over rice with scallions

Tofu and Beef One Pot


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  • Author: elodie
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This Tofu and Beef One Pot dinner is a fast, cozy, high-protein weeknight hero made with ground beef, firm tofu, garlic, ginger, and a glossy savory sauce. Everything cooks in one pot — no mess, no stress, just a comforting bowl of flavor that’s budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and totally customizable.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Main Dish

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef

  • 1 block firm or extra-firm tofu, drained & cubed

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 inch ginger, grated

  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (optional, if beef is lean)

For the Sauce

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce)

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or honey

  • ½ cup beef or vegetable broth

  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Optional Add-Ins

  • Sliced bell pepper

  • Broccoli florets

  • Chili-garlic sauce or gochujang

  • Scallions + sesame seeds for garnish


Instructions

  1. Prep the Tofu & Aromatics
    Pat tofu dry and cut into medium cubes. Dice onion and mince garlic and ginger.

  2. Brown the Beef
    Heat a large pot over medium-high. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; sauté until fragrant.

  3. Add the Tofu
    Gently fold tofu into the beef mixture. Reduce heat to medium so tofu doesn’t break. Let it warm and absorb flavor for 1–2 minutes.

  4. Make the Sauce
    Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, broth, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Stir gently.
    If you want it thicker, mix cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it in.

  5. Simmer & Finish
    Reduce heat to low and simmer 5–7 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened.
    Taste and adjust: more soy for salt, more sugar for balance.

  6. Serve
    Spoon over rice, noodles, or veggies. Garnish with scallions & sesame seeds.

Notes

  • For crispier tofu: brown cubes separately in a pan, then add at the end.

  • Gluten-free: use tamari or coconut aminos.

  • Spicy option: add chili-garlic sauce or 1 tsp gochujang.

  • Low-carb serving: pair with cauliflower rice or sautéed cabbage.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: One Pot / Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bowl
  • Calories: 365
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg