Tofu Coconut Curry

Name: Tofu Coconut Curry
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter (if vegan, use dairy-free - I use Miyokos); 1 medium yellow onion (diced); 1 habanero (minced); 1 piece of fresh ginger (minced); 2 garlic cloves (minced); 1 tablespoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon brown sugar; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 12 ounce jar roasted red peppers packed in water (drained and pureed); 1 cup full-fat coconut milk; Cilantro (for topping); 1 ½ pounds extra-firm tofu (pressed); 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 teaspoon sea salt

By Julie Chiou

Jan 03, 2023, Updated Jun 23, 2023

5 from 2 votes

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This fiery Tofu Coconut Curry will take you to the tropics! Tender and crispy pan-fried tofu is paired with a creamy red pepper coconut sauce that’s infused with smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors.

Coconut Caribbean Tofu in bowl with white rice, garnished with lime wedge and cilantro

When I say this Tofu Coconut Curry is packed with flavor, I mean packed with flavor. The coconut milk-based sauce is simmered with habanero pepper, fresh ginger, garlic, smoked paprika, and brown sugar—and if that sounds good, let me tell you: it tastes even better!

This sauce is perfect for pairing with tofu, which takes on any flavors you add to it. Think tofu is bland and boring? You won’t after making this recipe!

Best of all, Tofu Coconut Curry comes together in just about 30 minutes from start to finish, so it’s an easy meal for a weeknight dinner. It’s also great for divvying into containers with black beans and rice for a week of meal prep lunches!

ingredients for tofu coconut curry: tofu, roasted red bell peppers, habanero pepper, ginger, spices, oil, salt, butter, garlic, coconut milk, and onions

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to pick up to make this Tofu Coconut Curry Recipe.

For the Sauce:

Butter – Use dairy-free if you want to make this recipe vegan.
Yellow onion
Habanero – The habanero is a big player here, and yes, it is spicy! You can use half of a pepper if you like, but I don’t recommend omitting it. For a milder tofu recipe, try my Tofu and Shiitake Coconut Curry Bowls.
Fresh ginger
Garlic
Smoked paprika
Brown sugar
Sea salt
Roasted red peppers
Full-fat coconut milk – Full-fat coconut milk is thicker and creamier than lite coconut milk, so I recommend sticking with the full-fat variety.
Cilantro

For the Tofu:

Extra-firm tofu – Here’s what you need to know about how to prepare and cook tofu.
Avocado oil
Sea salt

Do I Need Gloves to Cut Habanero Peppers?

Yes, I highly recommend using thick rubber gloves when cutting the habanero pepper for this recipe. A pepper this hot can irritate your skin, and if you rub your eyes or touch your face with the residue still on your hands, you’ll deeply regret it! Burns from hot peppers are no joke and they can be incredibly painful.

Overhead view of Coconut Caribbean Tofu in bowl with white rice

How to Make Tofu Coconut Curry

If you plan on serving this tofu with rice, start it just before you begin cooking the tofu.

Prepare the tofu. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes and pat them dry with a paper towel.
Cook the tofu. Heat the oil in a skillet set over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook it for 2-3 minutes on each side, until both sides are golden brown and crispy. Season with salt and transfer to a plate.

sautéing diced onions in a blue cast iron skillet with spices and ginger and habanero peppers

pouring coconut milk into the skillet along with pureed roasted red bell peppers and onions

Sauté the onion. To the same skillet, add the butter and onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the onions are softened and translucent.
Make the sauce. Add the habanero, ginger, garlic cloves, paprika, brown sugar, and sea salt to the skillet with the onions. Cook for a minute, or until fragrant, then add the pureed roasted red peppers and coconut milk. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Finish. Season the sauce with additional salt, if needed, and stir in the tofu and cilantro.

Coconut Caribbean Tofu in skillet with wooden spoon

How Do I Cook Tofu So It Doesn’t Fall Apart?

When you’re pan-frying the tofu in the skillet, don’t flip it until the bottom is golden brown. Make sure you use enough oil to fully coat the bottom of the pan, and use a cast iron or nonstick skillet if you have one.

Tips for Success

This recipe is pretty straight-forward, but these tips will help make sure it turns out perfect.

Use the correct tofu. For this recipe, it’s important to buy refrigerated tofu, not shelf-stable silken tofu. Silken tofu is softer and doesn’t have the right texture for this recipe.
Dry the tofu well. This will keep the oil from spattering when you add the tofu to the pan.
Make it a meal. Pair Coconut Caribbean Tofu with rice, quinoa, or any other cooked grain that you like or have on hand.

Coconut Caribbean Tofu in bowl with white rice and fork

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate them for 4 to 5 days. Tofu coconut curry can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

This recipe freezes well! Place it in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze it for up to 3 months. It can be reheated from frozen or thawed in the refrigerator first for faster cooking time.

More Tofu Recipes to Enjoy

Looking for more easy tofu recipes to try? These ones are some of my favorites!

1 Comment

Heather says:

January 14, 2023 at 8:49 pm

We loved the Tofu Coconut Curry. It was delicious! Very flavourful and I like the roasted red peppers in it. Will definitely make this again.

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