Tofu paired with vegetables and rice is a very classic vegan dish, but this Creamy Coconut Rice with Five Spice Tofu takes this combo over the top.
This unique dish is inspired by the popular New York Times’ Sticky Coconut Chicken and Rice recipe and is layered with creamy coconut milk-infused rice, Chinese five spice tofu crumbles, nutrient-rich vegetables, and crunchy peanuts. It all gets baked in the oven until perfectly tender.
Every bite is creamy, comforting, fragrant, and a textural delight. It’s a complete and satisfying bowl you can easily turn to for a weeknight meal or a nourishing meal prep option.
Table of Contents:
1. Why this recipe works
2. Ingredient notes
3. Tips for making this recipe
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Recipe card with notes
Why this recipe works
Incredible texture contrast.
The textures in every layer of this over-the-top rice bowl will keep you diving in for more. The sticky, creamy coconut milk-infused rice, almost akin to vegan risotto, is studded with nutty, subtly crunchy peanuts. Chewy, almost meaty tofu crumbles keep you full and carrots and bell peppers get deliciously tender in the oven. Each bite is full of surprises!
Complex and super fun flavors.
A classic Chinese trio of aromatics—scallions, ginger, and garlic—starts this vegan rice bowl off with a flavorful base before a delightful blend of white pepper, Chinese five spice powder, coriander, and turmeric is added.
White pepper and Chinese five spice powder are a powerful duo. The white pepper brings a punchy, fruit brightness while the five spice powder adds its iconic sweet warmth and anise notes.
There’s harmony and balance in every bite thanks to the handful of deeply savory and subtly sweet ingredients. It may taste gourmet but it’s pretty weeknight friendly.
PS: If the sound of a super flavorful and unique tofu dish sounds right up your alley, you must try this Chinese Braised Tofu!
A big batch, well-balanced recipe.
This recipe makes a generous amount, meaning you can enjoy the leftovers for quick and easy meals or healthy lunches days later. There’s also enough here to feed the entire family!
Plus, it’s got everything you need in a dinner: protein, fiber, fat, and veggies! And it’s naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Need to get it all on the table in a hurry? As explained in the Tips section, there are plenty of ways to cut down on prep time.
Need a colorful side dish to serve alongside it? Serve with a side of my Garlicky Sesame Edamame Salad!
Ingredient Notes
Medium-grain white rice. While long-grain rice is great as a base for dishes like stir-fries and curries, medium-grain rice is perfect when you want something creamy. Its grains are plumper and contain more starch, yielding a creamy, slightly sticky consistency.
Tips for buying: We used Calrose rice (affiliate link), which is sold at most grocery stores. You can also try this with arborio rice, the rice typically used for risotto. Or, you can try this with short-grain rice (AKA “sushi rice”); the results are stickier and less creamy.
Tofu. This is the main protein source here, making this rice bowl a well-rounded meal.
If you can, use super-firm tofu. It has very little water in it, which results in (1) a chewy, more meat-adjacent texture and (2) a quicker prep time (since you won’t have to drain the excess water beforehand).
Substitute: Extra-firm tofu works, but you’ll need to press it first (instructions are in the recipe card).
Chinese five spice powder. This is a Chinese spice blend of fennel seeds, star anise, cinnamon, cloves, and Sichuan (or white) peppercorns. It makes this dish sing with so much flavor: sweet, slightly spicy, tingly, and anise. It’s one of my favorite-ever spice blends.
Tips for buying: Do not skip this, as it’s one of the main flavors in this dish! It adds incredible fragrance, warmth, and a certain je nais se quois flavor. It’s available at many grocery stores (including Vons/Safeway, Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart), Asian grocers, or online (affiliate link).
Peanuts. Roasted, salted peanuts pepper this creamy rice dish with a delightful yet subtle crunch (they soften as the rice cooks). I can’t emphasize enough how good each bite is with a little peanut bit!
Substitute: Use roasted, salted cashews if allergic to peanuts. If allergic to all nuts, use ¼ cup of toasted sesame seeds and garnish with more at the end.
Cantonese aromatics. Scallions, ginger, and garlic are often used as the flavor base in mild and delicate Cantonese cooking, and that’s what we start with here. To give this dish a moderate amount of heat, sauté a chile pepper along with the aromatics.
Coconut milk. There is, of course, coconut milk in our coconut rice. It makes the rice fragrant, as well as creamy and slightly indulgent. It also seeps into the tofu, adding even more richness.
Substitute: For a lighter dish, you can try using “lite” canned coconut milk instead of full-fat (affiliate link).
Vegetables. I used carrots and red bell pepper, but you can swap these with your favorites or what you have on hand. I’ve included a few suggestions for you in the Tips section.
Lime + cilantro. To brighten this cozy, warming dish. Lime zest adds a lovely zing and pep.
Tips for making this recipe
Save time on the night of cooking.
Chop all of the vegetables and aromatics, crumble the tofu, and mix the spices together a few days before making this recipe. Keep them in separate containers in the fridge (except the spices – they’re fine on the kitchen counter). With all of the prep out of the way, dinner will be ready in 35 minutes!
And multitask!
You can get this recipe on the table even faster by multitasking. As the tofu is cooking, get started on the aromatics and rice. The tofu doesn’t need to be stirred often, so as long as you’re comfortable in the kitchen, you should be able to tend to both pots at once.
Customize the vegetables.
Mix and match the veggies with what you like! I recommend substituting an equal amount of small-cut cauliflower or broccoli florets for the carrots. And while I love the sweetness of the bell pepper, you could use shredded cabbage, thinly sliced bok choy, or snap peas instead.
To get crispy, meaty tofu…
(1) Opt for super-firm tofu, and (2) don’t stir the tofu crumbles too often so they can brown nicely. Aim to stir them every 2 minutes. If you notice a few pieces still look raw, flip those pieces raw-side down so they can begin to brown. The result is remarkably meaty tofu that’s chewy with a subtly crispy exterior.
Are you using extra firm tofu? Make sure to press all of the excess water out for at least 10 minutes (do this while you prep the rest of the ingredients). This will help it crisp up and make the inside nice and chewy.
And when you really want to take the texture up a notch, use frozen, then defrosted tofu. It’s the method I use to take my Marinated Tofu and Tofu Curry over the top.
Make this your go-to tofu.
One bite of the five-spice flavored tofu crumbles and you’ll want to put them on everything! They’re a perfect plant-based protein on rice and grain bowls and salads, and go great with these 15-Minute Chili Garlic Noodles.
Want more tips on how to make tofu taste AMAZING? Check out my comprehensive guide to cooking tofu.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can store the leftover rice and tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. It’s best to reheat it in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat to revive the textures, but the microwave also works in a pinch.
I don’t recommend freezing leftovers. The textures just aren’t the same when thawed.
You can use “lite” canned coconut milk for a lighter dish (affiliate link). If you have an aversion to coconut products, full-fat, plain-flavored oat milk might work. Just know that it isn’t as creamy, so the finished dish may be looser and lacking richness.
Edamame is a protein-packed alternative (1 cup has 18 grams of protein) that doesn’t take as much effort to cook as the tofu. If you’re allergic to soy, omit the tofu and bulk it up with the vegetables of your choice instead.
More East Asian-inspired recipes to try!
That’s all you need to know about making this flavor-packed Creamy Coconut Rice with Five Spice Tofu! If you love this recipe, please rate and review it below!
Creamy Coconut Rice with Five Spice Tofu
Ingredients
Five Spice Tofu
- 10 to 12 ounces (280 to 340g) super-firm tofu (or extra-firm tofu) (Note 1)
- 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 heaping teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil such as avocado or grapeseed oil
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 1/2 tablespoons neutral-flavored oil
- 1 bunch scallions (about 6), sliced thinly (save dark greens for garnish)
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 ½ inch piece ginger, minced or grated
- 1 serrano or Fresno chile pepper, finely chopped (Note 2)
- 4 medium carrots scrubbed and chopped (or 2 heaping cups / 300g small cauliflower florets)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper (Note 3)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup (200g) medium-grain white rice (e.g., Calrose or arborio rice)
- 1 ½ cups (360 mL) vegetable broth
- 1 (13.5-ounce / 400 mL) can full-fat coconut milk (Note 4)
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce (tamari for GF)
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar or maple syrup
- 1 small or medium red (or orange or yellow) bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2/3 cup (95g) roasted, salted peanuts, roughly chopped (Note 5)
- 1 big handful cilantro leaves and tender stems, chopped
- 1 medium lime, zested and juiced
Instructions
- Prep the tofu. Slice the tofu into 4 vertical slabs. For super firm tofu, gently squeeze each slab to remove excess water. For extra firm tofu, cover the slabs with a thin dish towel or a few paper towels; weigh down with a heavy cookbook; press for 10 minutes, or while you prep the aromatics and vegetables.
- Add the rice to a bowl under cool tap water. Rinse and drain in a sieve until the water turns clear. It’ll take a few rounds of rinsing.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF/190ºC.
- Season the tofu. Tear the tofu into chunks, not too big or small. Transfer to a large bowl. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, five spice powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle this over the tofu, using your hands to gently coat the tofu.
- Cook the tofu. Heat the 2 TBSP oil in a 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu and spread out in a single packed layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes undisturbed. Flip and continue cooking for a total of 12 to 14 minutes, stirring only every 2 minutes, until most of the tofu is browned (see Note 7).
- While the tofu cooks, heat a Dutch oven or other oven-safe pot (at least 3-quart/3L) with the oil over medium-high heat. Add the scallion whites and light greens, garlic, ginger, chile pepper, and carrots. Cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the five spice powder, white pepper, coriander, turmeric, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, and stir almost constantly for 30 seconds.
- Add the rice and stir to evenly coat each grain. Pour in the vegetable broth, coconut milk, tamari, agave, bell pepper, and peanuts. Increase the heat, cover the pan, and bring to a boil. Take off the heat, add in the cooked tofu, stir to combine, and cover the pan with its lid (or tightly cover with foil if you don't have a lid).
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake, covered, for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
- Take out of the oven and stir in the cilantro, reserved scallion greens, lime zest, and 1 tablespoon lime juice. Season to taste with a few pinches of salt and pepper, adding more lime juice as needed.
Notes
Recipe: Nisha Vora / Rainbow Plant Life | Photography: Megan Morello
Do have a brand of five spice that you recommend?
Excellent! The best comfort food dish.
We appreciate your feedback and support, Meg. Thank you for leaving a review!
This was SO good! We are it all week for lunch and in could make it again for next week… except I have to make Nishas chickpea curry again… so maybe the week after!
RPL is the best! 😁
Hi Trish, thank you for your awesome review! I agree there are just too many delicious recipes on the site and too little time!
Excellent! Love the 5 spice flavor to this recipe, we included the cauliflower and carrot for extra veggies.
Hi Caitlin, we’re so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a review :)
Your recipes are beautifully photographed and look delicious. However, most, like this one, contain way too many ingredients and steps for busy working moms to be considered a “weeknight favorite.”
Sorry to hear this recipe is too complex for your lifestyle, Jenny. Have you gotten the chance to try the red lentil curry, this lentil bolognese or any of these 20 minute vegan meals? We hope one of these becomes a new favorite!
Oh wow. This was incredibly delicious! The depth of flavor is just perfect. Only swap I made was using brown rice because it was what I had. It took double the cook time and wasn’t as creamy so I’ll stick with the recipe next time for extra perfection. I also toasted and ground my own Chinese 5 Spice quickly before making. If you have the ingredients for it, do it! It added an even greater level of flavor.
Thanks for the lovely review, Merissa! Making your own five-spice, now that’s next level!
I thought this was delicious.
We appreciate your feedback and support, Paul. Thank you for leaving a review!
One of Nisha’s best recipes! The recipe makes 6 servings — I almost tripled it and it’s still 6 servings for me and my partner :)
So awesome to hear you enjoyed it, Zoe! Thanks for your lovely review :)
Fantastic dish. I made this for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Adding this dish to my rotation of meals.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Chris! Awesome to hear the dish was a hit!
Could you make this all on the hob? Assuming it would need additional time as it’s being cooked just from the bottom not all around if so?
Thanks!
I made this tonight and it was incredible, can’t wait to make it again! I’ve made quite a few of Nisha’s creations but I’ve never left a review until now – it’s that good. Thanks for the fantastic recipe!
Hi Jody, thank you so much for your kind review! So awesome to hear you’re a fan of this recipe :)
Unbelievably delicious! The flavors were a party for the tastebuds. I can’t wait to make this again!
Your positive feedback is the best reward for our hard work. Thank you, Shaelynn!
This was so delicious! My husband who is a huge meat eater called it “stupid good.” So flavorful and filling.
Kelly, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so happy to hear that you two enjoyed the coconut rice and tofu :)
I made this over the weekend and wow! What a unique dish with lots of fun surprises. That rice spice tofu is going into my rotation for sure. I can already see myself making this again and trying it with cauliflower and bok choy. Thank you!
Hi Carleigh, Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! Appreciate you taking the time!
In the “rice and vegetables,” it says: 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder, ½ teaspoon white pepper (Note 4), 1 teaspoon ground coriander, ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
But in the instructions, it says to add 1 teaspoon of each. It felt like too many spices for me, probably that’s why.
I think the carrots and red pepper (plus maple syrup) make it unnecessarily sweet, I would instead add something green such as spinach to balance so much flavour plus add a little bit of green to an already very orange dish.
Also, I think 95 grams of peanuts plus coconut milk and rice makes it very heavy and dense, you are combining fat and starch all in one.
I like the idea but I will try to make my own version, simpler, with less rice, fewer peanuts, more greens and less sweetness and spices.
Hi Gabriel, we aren’t sure where the instructions say to add 1 tsp of each.
But sorry to hear this recipe didn’t live up to your expectations, we hope you get the chance to try and enjoy some of the other RPL recipes and we appreciate your honest feedback.
This was a flavor bomb! Thank you for another outstanding recipe, Nisha! I made it exactly as written (except for the spicy pepper) and both my partner and I agreed it was amazing. So rich, warming and complex. After finishing it, I felt as though not only my stomach ate, but also my soul.
We’re so happy that the dish turned out well for you, Amalia. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for trying out the recipe!
Just made this tonight and I can’t stop thinking about it. The combination of flavors was amazing. I plan on making this for dinner for some friends and it will definitely impress (plus, it’s not that hard to make!). I’m a huge fan of you and RPL, thank you so much for all the work you do that goes into these amazing recipes.
Awesome to hear you love this recipe as much as we do, Chanley! Thanks for being a loyal reader, we appreciate you!
Made this for dinner tonight. SOOOO flavorful! My fiancé and I reaallyyy enjoyed it :) will definitely make again!
It’s always great to hear from readers who have tried the Rainbow Plant Life recipes and enjoyed them. Thank you for your kind comment, Lea!
Would cabbage, snap peas, or green beans work as sub for the bell pepper?
Hi Heather, mix and match the veggies with what you like! Nisha recommends substituting an equal amount of small-cut cauliflower or broccoli florets for the carrots. And while she loves the sweetness of the bell pepper, you could use shredded cabbage or thinly sliced bok choy instead.
You probably already tried this, but for the record, I made it for the second time tonight and used green beans this time instead of the bell pepper. It was great! Next time I’d add them in with the tofu JUST before baking instead of at the same time as the coconut milk/etc so they retain a little more snap.
Great recipe! Super tasty and easy to make! Nisha, you never disappoint. Thank you for being such a trustworthy recipe writer!
Hi Stephanie, Thank you so much for such a fantastic review! Appreciate you taking the time!