Sheet-Pan Tofu With Corn and Chiles
Updated Aug. 26, 2024

- Total Time
- 45 to 50 minutes
- Prep Time
- 15 minutes
- Cook Time
- 30 to 35 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
Advertisement
Ingredients
- 1(14- to 16-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
- 1tablespoon cornstarch
- 1¾teaspoons fine sea or table salt, plus more as needed
- 1teaspoon chili powder, plus more as needed
- ½teaspoon ground cumin, plus more as needed
- 3cups fresh or frozen corn kernels (from about 3 large ears)
- 2jalapeños, halved, seeded if desired and thinly sliced
- 1red onion, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1poblano chile, halved, seeded and thinly sliced (1 cup sliced poblanos)
- 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1lime, halved
- 1garlic clove, finely grated or minced
- ½cup chopped fresh cilantro or basil
Preparation
- Step 1
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2
Arrange tofu slices on a clean kitchen towel or on paper towels. Cover with another kitchen towel (or paper towels), and place a flat cutting board or baking pan on top. If your cutting board is lightweight, stack a few cans or a skillet on top to weigh it down. Let tofu drain for at least 15 minutes and up to 45 minutes.
- Step 3
While tofu drains, in a medium bowl, stir together cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, chili powder and cumin.
- Step 4
In another bowl, combine corn, about half of the jalapeño slices (save the rest for later), red onion, poblano, 2 tablespoons olive oil and remaining 1¼ teaspoons salt, mixing well.
- Step 5
Transfer drained tofu to a cutting board and cut into 1-inch cubes, patting them dry with paper towels. Add to the bowl with the cornstarch. Toss well to coat the cubes, then drizzle in 1 tablespoon olive oil, tossing gently to coat.
- Step 6
Arrange the tofu on a baking sheet, spacing it out. Roast for 15 minutes, then flip the tofu cubes and nudge them over to one side of the baking sheet. Spoon the corn mixture onto the empty half of the baking sheet. Drizzle tofu and corn with a little more oil. Continue to roast until the tofu is golden brown and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes longer, stirring the corn once while roasting.
- Step 7
Meanwhile, squeeze the juice of the lime into a small bowl, and add a pinch each of chili powder, cumin and salt. Stir in the remaining jalapeño slices and garlic.
- Step 8
Just before serving, pour the lime-chile mixture over the corn, tossing well. Top everything with cilantro or basil, and serve.
Private Notes
Comments
Spring for the under-$20 Tofuture tofu press. Skip the mess and the wasted paper towels and get perfectly drained tofu every time.
I use a washable kitchen towel. No reason to use a single use towel.
This was excellent! I added a can of drained black beans to the corn mixture for extra heft and protein. Textures and flavours are superb - will be filing this away as quick, easy, and healthy supper!
Great recipe as is. I did add some minced garlic to the corn and chili mixture before roasting (because almost everything benefits from garlic IMHO) and I roasted the corn an extra 10 minutes (after removing the tofu) because I used frozen corn and it just wasn’t quite ready after 20 minutes. After plating the dish, I topped with a generous portion of cilantro and 1/4 of an avocado for each serving. My husband gave the dish 2 thumbs up. I will definitely make again.
I make a simpler version. I used a block of extra firm tofu, which I did not need to drain. I coated the cubed tofu in the spices plus a pinch or two of chipotle powder and olive oil. I did not use cornstarch or salt (health reasons-it could use salt though). I did not have jalapeños so I used 2 poblanos. I roasted the tofu and veg separately on the same tray for 15 minutes at 400. Then I mixed the frozen corn in with the veg and roasted it for 20-25 minutes. I mixed the tofu and veg and squeezed a lime over it. No cilantro either. We appreciate the recipe that gave us a start to make an easier relatively last minute meal.
This really adds to more than the sum of its parts! Do throw a can of black beans into the final mixture and some avocado as well - it greatly benefits from the heft and creaminess
