Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Tofu With Chile Lime Dressing

Published Jan. 10, 2025

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Tofu With Chile Lime Dressing
Ghazalle Badiozamani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Brett Regot.
Total Time
50 minutes
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
40 minutes
Rating
5(915)
Comments
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Roasted brussels sprouts and tofu come alive when tossed with this sweet and spicy nước chấm-inspired chile lime dressing. The crispy edges of the sprouts and the firm texture of the tofu provide a perfect contrast to the tangy, umami-rich sauce. Pile on the soft herbs such as Thai basil, mint and cilantro, which add freshness and aromatic complexity to the dish. Serve alongside steamed rice for a flavorful and satisfying weeknight dinner that balances textures and tastes in every bite. For added crunch and flavor, top with chopped peanuts and crispy fried shallots. If you crave more heat, don't hesitate to add a generous serving of sriracha to kick things up. To make this vegetarian, swap out the fish sauce for a vegan one, or add tamari to taste instead.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 1(14-ounce) package firm tofu, drained
  • 12ounces brussels sprouts
  • tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Kosher salt
  • 3tablespoons lime juice (from about 1 lime)
  • 2tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1tablespoon maple syrup
  • 2garlic cloves
  • 1serrano chile
  • Small bunch each of mint, cilantro and basil (preferably Thai basil), leaves and tender stems only, roughly chopped
  • Cooked white rice, for serving (optional)
  • Chopped peanuts, fried shallots or sriracha, or a combination, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

376 calories; 22 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 8 grams polyunsaturated fat; 29 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 6 grams sugars; 24 grams protein; 750 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.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat oven to 400 degrees.

  2. Step 2

    Place tofu on a plate lined with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Cover the tofu with another layer of paper towels or another clean kitchen towel. Place a flat, heavy object on top, such as a cutting board or cast-iron skillet. For extra weight, you can add canned goods or a heavy pot on top of the flat object. Let it sit and drain while prepping the brussels sprouts.

  3. Step 3

    Trim the stem ends off the brussels sprouts, roughly chop them into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Cut the tofu into ¾-inch squares and place in the same bowl along with 1½ tablespoons oil and 2 teaspoons salt. Toss then transfer the brussels sprouts and tofu to a sheet pan lined with parchment paper (reserve the bowl). Roast, tossing them on the pan about halfway through, until brussels sprouts are tender and some of the leaves are browned and crisp, 25 to 30 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Meanwhile, grate the garlic into the reserved bowl. Remove the stem and seeds from the serrano and mince it finely. Add it to the bowl along with the lime juice, fish sauce, maple syrup, remaining 1 tablespoon oil and half of the chopped herbs. Whisk to combine well, then check for seasoning, adding salt if necessary.

  5. Step 5

    Allow tofu and brussels sprouts to cool for about 5 minutes before adding to the bowl with the dressing. Toss and serve immediately over rice, topped with more chopped herbs and any additional toppings.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
915 user ratings
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Comments

This was extremely salty. If we make it again we’ll use half the salt, at most!

Really nice acidity and umami flavor on the dressing/sauce. I made 1.5x for the sauce amounts to ensure that the beautiful flavor was there, especially for meal prep and re-heating purposes. My main recommendation- Do NOT skip fried shallots and/or peanuts as a topping. The added crunch is what completed this dish for me

@Gina the brand Ocean’s Halo makes a great vegan fish sauce—I used it in this recipe and it was terrific. PS: I also only used 1 tsp of salt when roasting the tofu and b sprouts.

Made as written. As a beginner cook this was super flavorful while also still being approachable, adding a crunchy is definitely a must. This is making it into my weeknight rotation.

Excellent and delicious. A lot of steps go into preparing the dish. but worthwhile. Double the herb sauce amount. Will do it again.

Agree it was too salty, although I did use Kosher salt. I made it exactly as written except subbed Tamari for fish sauce. I made the fried shallots which were really good on top, along with the chopped herbs. I don't eat peanuts, and did not add sriracha as I used a whole chopped serrano chile including the seeds. Definitely had some heat, which I love. This was so good! And thanks to Greg B's suggestion, I had a gin and tonic - helped cool down the heat. 😎

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