Crispy & Chewy Tofu Hamburg Steak
Vegetarian Hamburger Steak Made with Tofu and Egg. Ovo-Vegetarian Dish. Tofu Hamburg Steak.
A delicious hamburger steak made with tofu and egg, offering a satisfying meaty texture. This is a perfect ovo-vegetarian dish that is both healthy and flavorful. Enjoy a delightful meal experience with this unique Tofu Hamburg Steak.
Tofu Hamburg Steak Ingredients
- 1 block Tofu (approx. 200g, water squeezed out)
- 1 tsp Chicken Stock (5cc low-sodium chicken stock)
- 1 Egg
- 1 tsp Onion Powder (5cc)
- 4 Tbsp Tapioca Starch (60cc)
- 10cm Green Onion (finely minced)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil (15cc)
Steak Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (use seasoned soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Chicken Stock (low-sodium chicken stock)
- 2.5 Tbsp Allulose (or sugar)
- 4 Tbsp Tomato Puree
- 2 Tbsp Tapioca Starch (scraped level)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 150ml Water
- 10g Butter
- 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (use seasoned soy sauce)
- 2 Tbsp Chicken Stock (low-sodium chicken stock)
- 2.5 Tbsp Allulose (or sugar)
- 4 Tbsp Tomato Puree
- 2 Tbsp Tapioca Starch (scraped level)
- 2 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 150ml Water
- 10g Butter
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s make the ‘tofu crumble,’ the key to our Tofu Hamburg Steak. Take one block of tofu and squeeze out as much water as possible using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Removing moisture is crucial for achieving a meat-like texture. Place the squeezed tofu in a dry pan and stir-fry over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Continue cooking until the tofu becomes crumbly and dried out, resembling a crumble.
Step 2
Transfer the prepared tofu crumble to a cooling rack and let it cool slightly. If you’re in a hurry, you can proceed to the next step without waiting.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the hamburg steak mixture. In a bowl, add about 200g of the stir-fried and cooled tofu crumble. Add 1 teaspoon of chicken stock (or 5cc of low-sodium chicken stock), 1 fresh egg, 1 teaspoon of onion powder (5cc), and 4 tablespoons (60cc) of tapioca starch for binding and texture. Also, add the finely minced green onion (about 10cm length) for flavor and 1 tablespoon (15cc) of olive oil.
Step 4
Once all the ingredients are in the bowl, knead the mixture with your hands until it becomes cohesive and develops a chewy texture, similar to making mochi. Kneading thoroughly will result in a firmer and tastier tofu hamburg steak. Knead for about 5 minutes.
Step 5
Divide the kneaded mixture into two equal portions. Each portion should weigh approximately 160g. This will make two hamburg steaks.
Step 6
After dividing the mixture, firmly pat it down several times with your palms (‘chok-chok’). This action helps to remove air bubbles from the mixture, making the hamburg steaks denser and chewier. Think of it as compacting the mixture, similar to how you prepare burger patties.
Step 7
Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Roll each portion of the mixture into a ball and place it on the parchment paper. Then, use your hands or a tool to flatten and shape them into hamburg steaks, gently pressing the center to create an indentation. Ensure they are not too thick so they cook evenly.
Step 8
Place the shaped hamburg steaks in the air fryer and cook at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes. They should start to turn golden brown.
Step 9
After 15 minutes, carefully flip the hamburg steaks. Return them to the air fryer and cook at 180°C (350°F) for another 9 minutes. After a total of about 24 minutes of cooking, your crispy outside and chewy inside Tofu Hamburg Steaks will be perfectly done.
Step 10
■ Prepare the Steak Sauce Ingredients: 3 Tbsp Soy Sauce (use seasoned soy sauce), 2 Tbsp Chicken Stock (low-sodium), 2.5 Tbsp Allulose (adjust sweetness to your preference), 4 Tbsp Tomato Puree, 2 Tbsp Tapioca Starch (scraped level – this will thicken the sauce), 2 Tbsp Chili Powder (for a hint of spice), 150ml Water, and finally, 10g Butter for richness.
Step 11
■ How to Make the Steak Sauce: First, thinly slice half an onion. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the sliced onions until they become translucent. Once the onions are softened, pour in the pre-mixed sauce ingredients (soy sauce, chicken stock, allulose, tomato puree, tapioca starch, chili powder, and water) over the sautéed onions. (Tip: Sautéing the onions first to bring out their natural sweetness significantly enhances the sauce’s flavor. Although the photo shows adding onions after the sauce, it’s recommended to sauté them first!)
Step 12
Add a handful of sliced button mushrooms to the sauce and let them simmer together. The mushrooms will release their flavor, making the sauce even more delicious. Stir everything well.
Step 13
Bring the sauce to a simmer and continue to cook for about 3 minutes. The tapioca starch will dissolve and thicken the sauce to your desired consistency. Once it reaches the right thickness, remove from heat.
Step 14
Plate the cooked Tofu Hamburg Steaks and generously ladle the warm steak sauce over them. The combination of the crispy exterior, chewy interior, and flavorful sauce is truly delightful.
Step 15
*This recipe was created with product sponsorship from ‘Jeongseong Gitteun’ for their chicken stock and seasoned soy sauce. Their high-quality products contributed to the delicious outcome of this dish.
