
Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Hoisin Tofu Lettuce Cups
Sweet, savory hoisin tofu inside a crisp lettuce leaf makes a very enjoyable handful. Rice catches the sauce underneath, with peanuts adding crunch above the soft tofu. The carrot and green onion keep each cup feeling fresh as you work through the filling.
- Prep
- 45 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Original yield
- Serves 4
- Ingredients
- 10 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Dinner · Main course
- Primary protein
- Tofu & tempeh
- Cuisine
- Asian
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: over 30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
A few quick notes
1. Press out moisture
Weigh the tofu down between plates, then pour off the released liquid and pat the block dry.
2. Coat in two stages
Fold in the cornstarch in two additions so the irregular tofu pieces get an even coating.
3. Brown before stirring
Let the tofu turn golden underneath before stirring, repeating until most pieces have crisp edges.
Get to know the ingredients
Tofu
Use extra firm tofu and chop it into small irregular pieces after pressing and drying.
Lettuce
Bibb, romaine or iceberg can provide sturdy leaves for holding the rice, tofu and toppings.
Peanuts
Roughly chop the peanuts before finishing the cups so their crunchy pieces scatter over the filling.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 4. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 5 steps completeMake room for Hoisin Tofu Lettuce Cups
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Build the lettuce cups
Spoon rice into each leaf, add hoisin tofu and finish with green onion, shredded carrot and peanuts.
A little more help as you go
Sauce off the heat
Remove the crisp tofu from heat before stirring hoisin sauce through it to coat.
Prepare fresh toppings
Slice green onion and shred carrot after the tofu cooks so they are ready for assembly.
A few questions you might have
Does the rice need cooking first?
Yes, use cooked rice as the first layer inside each lettuce leaf before adding tofu.
Is the tofu cut into even cubes?
Roughly chop it into small irregular shapes so the edges can crisp as it cooks.
Do the carrots cook in the tofu pan?
Keep the shredded carrot raw as a fresh topping over the sauced tofu and rice.
Can I use romaine?
Yes, romaine is one of the sturdy lettuce options alongside bibb and iceberg for the cups.
When is the salt added?
Sprinkle it over the chopped tofu with the first cornstarch addition before frying the pieces.
Any more cooking tips?
I used bibb lettuce, but any sturdy lettuce, like Romaine or even ice berg can be used.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: budgetbytes.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.



