Instant Pot Hawaiian Tofu (Tofu in Pineapple Sauce)

5 from 4 votes

Extra-firm tofu tossed in a sweet sauce flavored with pineapple juice! This Vegan Hawaiian Tofu pairs so well with brown rice!

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Instant Pot Hawaiian Tofu – extra-firm tofu tossed in a flavorful sauce made with pineapple juice!

Made in the pressure cooker, this one-pot meal gets done in less than 30 minutes and is vegan.

I love eating this with brown rice.

bowl of tofu topped with sesame seeds and brown rice with a glass of pineapple juice in the background with a bowl of hot sauce placed on the side

I have mentioned this many time here that Sarvesh does not care for tofu at all.

So, when I test a tofu recipe for the blog, I usually make something else too for him to eat that day.

However, this time around when I tested and made this Hawaiian tofu, he said that he wanted to try it too.

And to my surprise, he licked the bowl clean! Now, when he does that with tofu, then I know for sure that the recipe is a winner!

This Hawaiian Tofu has extra firm tofu and red pepper cooked in a really flavorful pineapple juice based sauce.

If you enjoy tofu in a sweet sauce, then you are in for a treat.

This Hawaiian Tofu

✔gets done is 30 minutes or less.

✔is vegan and can me made gluten-free.

✔packed with flavors.

✔pairs well with brown rice or jasmine rice.

For this recipe, I marinate the tofu first in some soy sauce, hot chili-garlic sauce (sambal oelek) and pineapple juice and then cook it for a bit before pressure cooking.

I always prefer using extra-firm tofu in these Asian-inspired recipes. Whenever you are using extra-firm tofu, make sure to either use a tofu press or press tofu with a heavy object for 20 minutes at least before cutting it into cubes.

This way the excess moisture from tofu is removed and tofu absorbs more flavor.

Usually, I place a kitchen paper towel on the bottom of a flat surface and then place the block of tofu on top and then place another paper towel on top of the tofu and then place a heavy object on top.

The paper towels get completely wet as the tofu releases moisture so replace them after 15 minutes or so. You can press the tofu for up to 1 hour for even better outcome.

Once the tofu is pressed, I then toss it with the marinade and cook it on saute in the instant pot before pressure cooking it.

The sauce for this Hawaiian Tofu has pineapple juice in abundance! I have used canned pineapple juice here,  this recipe should work with sweet fresh pineapple juice too but has been tested with canned juice only.

Other than the juice, the sauce also has soy sauce, brown sugar, hot sauce, garlic and ginger. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce (I have used sambal oelek) to taste.

For me this was perfect, it had a slight kick without being spicy. However, if you prefer spicier sauce, add more of the hot sauce.

tofu and bell peppers in a white bowl garnished with green onion and a pair chopsticks on the side and a glass of pineapple juice on the side

Serving Suggestions

I love eating this tofu with brown rice.

It will also go well with white jasmine rice or even noodles.

 

Method

Before you start, press the extra-firm tofu with a heavy object for at least 20 minutes. Then dab with a paper towel and cut the tofu into cubes.

1- To a large add the tofu cubes. Then add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon pineapple juice and 2 teaspoons sambal oelek (or any hot chili sauce). Mix to combine until all tofu is coated with the marinade.

Let rest for 5 minutes.

2- Meanwhile, in a measuring jar or bowl, mix together all ingredients for the sauce- 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sambal oelek, 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger and 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic.

Set it aside.

3- Now, press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Once it displays hot add 2 tablespoons of oil (I used avocado oil) and then add the tofu pieces in a single layer into the pot.

4- Cook undisturbed for around 2 minutes on one side and then flip and cook the other side undisturbed for another 2 minutes.

step by step picture collage of making hawaiian tofu in instant pot

5- Add in the prepared sauce and also any leftover marinade that might have been left behind from the bowl of tofu. Use a wooden spatula to scrape down the bottom of the pot since some of the tofu might have got stuck while sauteing it.

6- Then add in the bell pepper and close the pot with the lid.

7- Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high heat for 2 minutes with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Let the pressure release naturally for 2 minutes and then do a quick pressure release.

8- Meanwhile, whisk together 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water in a bowl until combined.

step by step picture collage of making hawaiian tofu in instant pot

9- Open the lid and press the saute button. Add in the prepared cornstarch slurry (make sure to whisk it once before adding as cornstarch settles at the bottom).

10- Stir, the sauce will thicken immediately.

11- Add in the green onions.

12- At this point, if you want to thin out the sauce a little, add 1-2 tablespoons extra pineapple juice. This is optional and do it only if the sauce looks too thick.

I added 2 tablespoons of juice at this point.

step by step picture collage of making hawaiian tofu in instant pot

Serve Hawaiian Tofu with brown rice or white rice! You may sprinkle some white sesame seeds on top.

bowl of tofu topped with sesame seeds and brown rice with a glass of pineapple juice in the background with a bowl of hot sauce placed on the side

More Tofu Recipes

Kung Pao Tofu

Honey Cashew Tofu

Thai Basil Tofu Stir-Fry

Asian Tofu Broccoli

If you’ve tried this Instant Pot Hawaiian Tofu Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on FacebookInstagram to see what’s latest in my kitchen!

Instant Pot Hawaiian Tofu

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Extra-firm tofu tossed in a sweet sauce flavored with pineapple juice! This Vegan Hawaiian Tofu pairs so well with brown rice!

Ingredients 

Tofu Marinade

  • 14 oz extra-firm tofu pressed with a heavy object for 20 minutes and then cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce 30 ml
  • 1 tablespoon pineapple juice 15 ml, I used canned pineapple juice
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce I used sambal oelek

Sauce

  • 1 cup + 1-2 tablespoons pineapple juice 8oz/240 ml + 15-30 ml, divided, I used canned pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce 30 ml
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce 15 ml, I used sambal oelek
  • 2 teaspoons chopped ginger
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Everything else

  • 2 tablespoons oil I used avocado oil
  • 1 large red pepper quartered
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 2-3 stalks green onion chopped
  • white sesame seeds optional, to garnish
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Instructions 

  • Before you start, press the extra-firm tofu with a heavy object for at least 20 minutes. Then dab with a paper towel and cut the tofu into cubes.
    To a large add the tofu cubes. Then add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon pineapple juice and 2 teaspoons sambal oelek (or any hot chili sauce). Mix to combine until all tofu is coated with the marinade. Let rest for 5 minutes.
    marinated tofu cubes in a glass bowl
  • Meanwhile, in a measuring jar or bowl, mix together all ingredients for the sauce- 1 cup pineapple juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon sambal oelek, 2 teaspoons finely chopped ginger and 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic. Set it aside.
    brown color sauce being whisked in a glass measuring jar
  • Now, press the saute button on the Instant Pot. Once it displays hot add 2 tablespoons of oil (I used avocado oil) and then add the tofu pieces in a single layer into the pot.
    Cook undisturbed for around 2 minutes on one side and then flip and cook the other side undisturbed for another 2 minutes.
    cubes of tofu being fried in instant pot
  • Add in the prepared sauce and also any leftover marinade that might have been left behind from the bowl of tofu. Use a wooden spatula to scrape down the bottom of the pot since some of the tofu might have got stuck while sautéing it.
    Then add in the bell pepper and close the pot with the lid.
    cubes of tofu with a brown color sauce and a wooden spatula scraping the bottom of the pot
  • Press the manual or pressure cook button and cook on high heat for 2 minutes with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Let the pressure release naturally for 2 minutes and then do a quick pressure release.
    instant pot displaying a timer of 2 minutes
  • Meanwhile, whisk together 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water in a bowl until combined. Open the lid and press the sauté button. Add in the prepared cornstarch slurry (make sure to whisk it once before adding as cornstarch settles at the bottom).
    Stir, the sauce will thicken immediately.
    cornstarch slurring being added to a pot
  • Add in the green onions. At this point, if you want to thin out the sauce a little, add 1-2 tablespoons extra pineapple juice. This is optional and do it only if the sauce looks too thick. I added 2 tablespoons of juice at this point. 
    Serve Hawaiian Tofu with brown rice or white rice! You may garnish with white sesame seeds.
    tofu with bell pepper and green onion in an instant pot

Stove-top Instructions

  • Mix together the ingredients for sauce in a measuring jar and set aside. Toss the tofu in the given marinade. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet on medium heat. Place tofu in a single layer into the skillet and cook until browned from both sides, flipping once in between. This would take around 5 to 6 minutes. Remove tofu from the skillet.
    To the same pan now add the red pepper and cook for 2 minutes, then add the prepared sauce and heat it up. Add in the cornstarch slurry and stir. Sauce will begin to thick immediately. Add the pan fried tofu and mix. Turn off heat and garnish with green onions.

Notes

  1. This recipe has been tested with canned pineapple juice. It should work with fresh pineapple juice too, but make sure the juice is sweet.
  2. To make this gluten-free, use tamari in place of soy sauce.
  3. This recipe uses a total of 3 teaspoons of sambal oelek (2 teaspoons in marinade and 1 in the sauce). You can add more of it if you want to spice it up. 

Nutrition

Calories: 205kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1154mg, Potassium: 371mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 1344IU, Vitamin C: 62mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
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Hi, I’m Manali!

Bringing you easy, delicious vegetarian & vegan recipes! Eating veggies can be fun, you just need to get creative in the kitchen with the right set of ingredients!


5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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7 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Manali, this was super! I served it with brown rice and avocado. I did double the chili garlic sauce, but we like it spicy.
    thank you so much!

  2. 5 stars
    Hi mam, I want to ask you that do you have your own recipe book. If you have published any book then please tell where I can buy it and please share more recipes like this.?