Easy and Delicious Tuna and Tofu Stew Recipe
Beginner-Friendly! How to Make a Mild and Deep-Flavored Tuna Tofu Stew
Here’s a recipe for a warm and comforting tuna and tofu stew, easily made with basic pantry ingredients. The tender tofu and moist tuna create a magical stew that will make you finish a bowl of rice in no time! Cutting the tofu into small pieces allows it to absorb the flavors better, making it even more delicious. For an even richer broth, we recommend using canned tuna packed in vegetable broth rather than oil.
Basic Ingredients- 1 can of tuna (drained)
- 1 block of tofu (approx. 300g, firm or stewing tofu)
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 green bell pepper (or red for color)
- A small piece of carrot (for color and texture)
- 1/2 green onion (chopped for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp fish sauce (or soy sauce)
- A pinch of roasted salt (to taste)
- 1-2 Tbsp Korean chili powder (gochugaru, adjust to your spice preference)
- A pinch of black pepper
- 300ml water (or anchovy-kelp broth)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare your vegetables. Peel the onion and dice it into about 1cm cubes. Remove the seeds from the bell pepper and chop it into similar-sized pieces. Peel the carrot and dice it into bite-sized pieces as well. Cutting the vegetables into uniform sizes ensures they cook evenly, resulting in a more delicious stew.
Step 2
Cut the tofu into cubes, about 2cm in size, similar to the tuna chunks. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they might break apart during cooking.
Step 3
In a pot, combine the diced onion, bell pepper, and carrot. Add 300ml of water, 1 tsp of fish sauce, and 1-2 Tbsp of Korean chili powder. Bring this mixture to a boil over high heat. Starting with the vegetables and seasonings allows the broth to develop a deeper flavor.
Step 4
Once the broth is boiling vigorously, reduce the heat slightly and add the drained canned tuna and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Simmer together, allowing the natural oils from the tuna to meld into the broth.
Step 5
As the stew returns to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low. Season with roasted salt to your liking. Skim off any foam or impurities that rise to the surface during cooking; this will result in a cleaner and clearer broth.
Step 6
Finally, add the cubed tofu to the pot and simmer gently for a few more minutes until heated through. Stir carefully to avoid breaking the tofu. Once the tofu is warmed, turn off the heat, stir in the chopped green onion and a pinch of black pepper. Serve hot for the best flavor experience.
