Crispy Buffalo Tofu Burgers with Peppercorn Ranch
Tofu gets the fried chicken treatment in these Crispy Buffalo Tofu Burgers. Topped with a tangle of shaved carrot and celery and slathered with Peppercorn Ranch Dressing, this meat-free burger tastes just like a plate of hot wings from your local.
Equipment
- 1 Cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Peppercorn Ranch
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup Grana Padano shredded
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp dried chives
- 2 tsp dried dill
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp salt
- A ton of fresh ground pepper
Crispy Buffalo Tofu
- 1 cup milk I used 2%
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp hot sauce I used Frank's
- 1½ tsp salt divided
- 1 brick extra firm tofu sliced
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 3 eggs
- ¾ cup buffalo hot sauce I used Frank's
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp honey
To Assemble
- 2 carrots peeled and cut into ribbons
- 2 stalks celery peeled into ribbons
- 4 sesame seed buns split and toasted
Instructions
For the Peppercorn Ranch
- Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Cover and transfer to the fridge until ready to serve.1 cup Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup Grana Padano, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey, 2 tsp dried chives, 2 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp mustard powder, ½ tsp salt, A ton of fresh ground pepper
For the Crispy Buffalo Tofu
- Pour the milk, lemon juice, and hot sauce into a large bowl, whisk to combine. Stir in ½ tsp of the salt and add the tofu slices. Press the slices into the bowl to ensure they are covered by the milk mixture. Marinate for 1 hour, turning the tofu slices once halfway through.1 cup milk, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp hot sauce, 1 brick extra firm tofu
- Once the tofu is finished marinating. Sift the flour, cornstarch, and the remaining salt together into a large pie plate. Whisk to combine and set aside.1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup cornstarch, 1½ tsp salt
- Take the tofu slices out of the marinade and set aside. Add the eggs to the marinade and whisk to combine. One by one coat each tofu slice in the flour mixture, then dip them in the egg mixture, then return them to the flour mixture and set aside.3 eggs
- Once all the tofu slices are coated, pour about 2 inches of canola oil into a large cast-iron skillet. Heat the oil until small bubbles break the surface. Working in batches, fry the tofu until golden on both sides. About 3-4 minutes per side.
- Transfer the fried tofu to a cooling rack fitted over a baking sheet. Transfer the sheet to a low 150°F oven to keep warm.
- Pour the hot sauce into a small saucepan. Add the butter and honey and place the pan over medium heat. Heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a simmer. Take the sauce off of the heat.¾ cup buffalo hot sauce, 2 tbsp honey, ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Place the fried tofu in a large bowl and pour the sauce over top. Toss to coat.
To Assemble
- Slather each of the bottom buns with a good amount of the Peppercorn Ranch. Place two of the fried tofu slices on top and cover with shaved celery and carrot. Add the top bun and serve immediately with beer.2 carrots, 2 stalks celery, 4 sesame seed buns
Notes
If you would like to make the sesame seed buns from scratch, you can find the recipe here.