Sheet-Pan Tofu With Corn and Chiles

Updated Aug. 26, 2024

Sheet-Pan Tofu With Corn and Chiles
Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Cyd Raftus McDowell.
Total Time
45 to 50 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 to 35 minutes
Rating
5(1,772)
Comments
Read comments

This colorful dish is as much about the lively mix of textures as it is the tangy, spicy flavors. On the textural side, cubes of tofu are coated in cornstarch so they become crispy at the edges as they roast, staying soft and pillowy on the inside. Corn kernels lend sweetness and a juicy snap while green chiles, onions and herbs lend freshness and heat. Fresh corn kernels are ideal when in season, but frozen corn works well too, making this a year-round dish with an inherently summery feel.

Featured in: An Easy Vegetarian Dinner That Starts With Corn

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

    or to print this recipe.

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:2 to 4 servings
  • 1(14- to 16-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, cut crosswise into 1-inch-thick slices
  • 1tablespoon cornstarch
  • teaspoons 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
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

328 calories; 16 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 39 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 14 grams protein; 684 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 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.

  3. Step 3

    While tofu drains, in a medium bowl, stir together cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, chili powder and cumin.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

5 out of 5
1,772 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

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

Private comments are only visible to you.

or to save this recipe.