Tofu Lettuce Wraps

When you are craving takeout, but want to have something at home, these Tofu Lettuce Wraps are just the ticket. They are easy to make – the tofu just requires a little bit of pan frying before it is tossed in a homemade sauce. Then the tofu is spooned into lettuce cups and served with the BEST dipping sauce! Whether you serve these as an appetizer, a light dinner or make them ahead of time for easy lunches, they are going to be your new favorite!

Step One: Make the Sauce

The most important part of this recipe is the sauce! I mean, isn’t that always the case?! This sauce is super herby, super fragrant, just…super delicious.

Here is what you need:

• oil
• low sodium soy sauce
• vegan fish sauce – not necessary, but if you can find it, use it.
• agave – or sub maple syrup
• garlic 
• mint
• cilantro
• shallot
• serrano peppers
• lime zest & juice

Add everything to a bowl and mix to combine. Now, you need to taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. I personally love some heat, so I go all out with the serrano peppers. If you want more tang, add more lime juice. If you want more freshness, add more herbs. Play around with it!

Step Two: Make the Tofu

For this recipe I like to use super firm tofu – it is the one in the plastic bag, rather than a box. I love it because you don’t have to press it AND I feel like it is a little more forgiving when sautéing it. You don’t have to be super gentle with it.

Drain the tofu, pat it dry and cut it into tiny squares. I like tiny squares, so they fit on the lettuce cups better!

Heat some neutral oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook until slightly browned on a couple of sides – this should take 5-7 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the pre-made sauce, 2 tablespoons of nut butter and 2 tablespoons of soy sauce. Toss until the sauce starts to caramelize on the tofu. Right before removing it from the heat, add a splash of lime juice.

Step Three: Serve

To serve, prep some butter lettuce by breaking off the lettuce leaves and cleaning them off.

Spoon some of the tofu mixture into a lettuce cup and top with some of the leftover sauce. Sprinkle with some green onion & cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side and dig in!

These are great as an appetizer or light dinner. They are also great for meal prep – keep the tofu and lettuce cups separate and then assemble right before serving.