Vegan Pork Belly Recipe - Romy London | Vegan Comfort Food (2024)

❤️ What's great about this Recipe

This recipe is:

• A flavorful and satisfying vegan take on pork belly-style tofu
• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Made with a savory marinade of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Chinese five-spice powder and black pepper
• Crispy and golden
• It is a good source of protein
• A healthier alternative to traditional pork belly
• A great addition for a variety of other dishes, such as Vegan Black Bean Ramen
• Perfect for a meatless meal!

Possible Substitutions

Here are a few possible ingredient substitutions:

• Soy sauce - replace with tamari or liquid aminos
• Hoisin sauce - I wouldn't recommend skipping the hoisin sauce, but if you don't have any to hand, use vegan oyster sauce or plum sauce instead.
• Chinese Five Spice - create your own blend by combining ground cinnamon, closed, fennel seeds, star anise and Szechuan peppercorns.
• Cornstarch - try using arrowroot powder or potato starch
• Oil - swap the sesame oil for peanut oil, vegetable oil or a neutral alternative with a high smoke point

Mix the marinade & marinate the tofu for 2 hours.

Set the remaining marinade aside and slice the tofu block.

For the fat layer, combine tapioca starch, rice flour and salt.

Mix in coconut milk and water over low heat.

Stir as the mix thickens.

Cook until you get a thick paste.

Assemble the layers.

Wrap firmly and steam for 25-30 minutes.

Cut into bite-size chunks.

Coat chunks in cornstarch.

Place in hot oil.

Fry until crispy.

Toss with remaining marinade, then add tamari.

Remove from the heat when edges are caramelized.

🍽️ Serving

Add this pork belly tofu to a variety of dishes, such as:

• Vegan Black Bean Miso Ramen
• Vegan Peanut Noodles
• Vegan tacos
• Roasted Miso Aubergine
• A simple vegan stir fry
• Vegan Bao Buns
• Vegan pork belly Lettuce Wraps
• This vegan version of Chinese Sweet & Sour Pork by FoodieTakesFlight
• This Vegan Banh Mi by VeganPunks

This vegan pork belly-style tofu can also be served over rice or noodles for a complete meal - and you can add some sides such as steamed bok choy or broccoli, or a simple salad with a tangy dressing to balance out the richness of the tofu.

❄️ Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

To reheat, place the tofu in a hot pan and cook until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat in the oven or microwave, but the texture may not be as crispy.

💡 Expert Tips & Tricks

How to Press Tofu

Pressing tofu is an important step in many tofu recipes, as it removes excess water from the tofu and allows it to absorb marinades and seasonings more effectively. Here's a quick and easy way to press tofu:

1. Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain any excess liquid.
2. Wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels.
3. Place the wrapped tofu on a flat surface, such as a cutting board or plate.
4. Place a heavy object on top of the tofu, such as a cast iron skillet or a stack of books.
5. Let the tofu press for at least 15-20 minutes, or up to an hour for firmer tofu.
6. Unwrap the tofu and use it in your recipe as desired.

And that's it! Pressing tofu is a simple and easy way to improve the texture and flavor of your tofu dishes.

How to create a meaty texture with tofu

Freezing and thawing tofu can make it more flavorful and absorbent. It's perfect if you're looking for a meaty texture, like in this vegan pork belly-style tofu recipe. Just freeze the tofu, let it thaw, and press out any excess water before marinating. For even more flavor, try freezing and thawing it twice!

Extra tip:

If want to take your vegan pork belly to the next level try this recommendation by chef Bernardita Gotis: Use a curing process similar to that of traditional pork fatback! Simply mix together salt, garlic cloves, and warm water, and then rub the mixture onto the tofu. Let it cure for a few days at room temperature, and then use the cured tofu for vegan pork belly.

More Substitutes for Pork Belly

One of the benefits of this recipe is that it is rather easy to prepare - but if you're up for challenge you can createa pork belly substitute with an even meatier bite.

There are plenty of plant-based ingredients out there that can help you achieve the smoky flavor and meaty texture of traditional pork dishes. With so many plant-based products available, there's a good substitute out there for just about any dish you can think of! But off course, personal preference plays a big role in choosing the best substitutes for you, so feel free to experiment.

A few ideas to try:

• wheat gluten, or seitan - a popular choice for its chewy texture and high protein content!
• yuba, or tofu skin - slice it into small pieces, marinate and use it in a variety of dishes that use pork traditionally.
• King oyster mushrooms - another great option! They can be sliced and slow-cooked to mimic the texture of pork belly.

Extra tip: For a vegan version of char siu, try using TVP slices marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar! And for vegan pork sandwiches, you can create the best alternative using either seitan or TVP slices.

Whether you're looking for a healthier alternative to pork, or just want to try something new, the possibilities are endless! And with the help of recipes like this one, you can recreate your favorite pork dishes without sacrificing taste or texture.

Vegan Pork Belly-Style Tofu

Romy

This vegan take on pork belly-style tofu is a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for a meatless meal. The tofu is marinated and layered with a vegan fat layer and bread, then steamed, sliced and pan-fried until crispy and golden brown!