Vegetarian Pork Tonkatsu

Experience the satisfying crunch and savory flavors of this Vegetarian Pork Tonkatsu, a plant-based spin on the classic Japanese comfort food. Made with firm tofu as the star ingredient, this recipe achieves a golden, crispy panko-breaded coating while staying completely meat-free. The tofu is pressed, seasoned, and expertly coated before frying to a delightfully crispy perfection. Paired with a tangy homemade tonkatsu sauce featuring ketchup, soy sauce, and vegetarian Worcestershire, and served alongside refreshing shredded cabbage, this dish is a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Ready in under an hour, this tofu tonkatsu is ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions, while being a feast for vegetarians and omnivores alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 14 oz firm tofu
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 0.5 cup plant-based milk
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 0.25 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (vegetarian)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 1 tbsp green onion, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Press the tofu: Wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place a weight on top (such as a frying pan) to press the tofu for about 15 minutes. This removes excess moisture.

Step 2

Slice the tofu: Once pressed, cut the tofu into 1/2-inch thick slices and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

Step 3

Prepare the coating station: Set up three separate shallow dishes. In the first, mix flour and cornstarch. In the second, pour the plant-based milk. In the third, place the panko breadcrumbs.

Step 4

Coat the tofu: Dredge each tofu slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip in the plant-based milk, then coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

Step 5

Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until shimmering.

Step 6

Fry the tofu: Carefully add the breaded tofu slices to the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 7

Make the tonkatsu sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together ketchup, soy sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and yellow mustard until well combined.

Step 8

Serve immediately: Arrange the crispy tofu tonkatsu on plates alongside shredded cabbage. Drizzle with tonkatsu sauce and garnish with sliced green onion before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1068.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1860.9

Total Fat 127.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.2g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3452.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 143.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.7g
Protein 61.3g	0%

Vitamin D 50IU	0%
Calcium 957.6mg	0%
Iron 12.5mg	0%
Potassium 1174.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.3%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 29.2%