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
For the Main Dish
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef
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1 block firm or extra-firm tofu, drained & cubed
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1 small onion, diced
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 inch ginger, grated
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1 tbsp neutral oil (optional, if beef is lean)
For the Sauce
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3 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian oyster sauce)
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1 tbsp brown sugar or honey
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½ cup beef or vegetable broth
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1 tbsp rice vinegar
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1 tsp sesame oil
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1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Optional Add-Ins
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Sliced bell pepper
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Broccoli florets
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Chili-garlic sauce or gochujang
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Scallions + sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
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Prep the Tofu & Aromatics
Pat tofu dry and cut into medium cubes. Dice onion and mince garlic and ginger. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
Serve
Spoon over rice, noodles, or veggies. Garnish with scallions & sesame seeds.
Notes
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For crispier tofu: brown cubes separately in a pan, then add at the end.
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Gluten-free: use tamari or coconut aminos.
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Spicy option: add chili-garlic sauce or 1 tsp gochujang.
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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