Healthy Japanese Tofu Hamburg Steak Recipe

Updated at: 16/05/2025

Craving a comforting yet healthy meal that's bursting with flavor? Look no further than this delicious Tofu Hamburg Steak, served alongside vibrant spinach fried rice and a soothing miso soup. This recipe offers a lighter, plant-based twist on a classic Japanese comfort food, perfectly balancing savory and umami notes. The tofu patties are incredibly tender and juicy, achieving a satisfyingly meaty texture without any meat at all. The accompanying sides provide a beautiful contrast of textures and flavors, making this a complete and satisfying meal.

This recipe is surprisingly easy to prepare, even for beginner cooks. Ready to dive into the simple step-by-step instructions and create this flavorful and nutritious meal? Let's get cooking!

Tools Needed

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1. Prepare the Tofu Hamburg Patty

  • Chop the onion and carrot finely.
  • Place chopped vegetables in a bowl and microwave for about 1 minute to soften. Let cool.
  • Wrap tofu in paper towels and microwave for 3 minutes to remove excess moisture. Let cool completely.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooled tofu, onion, carrot, salt, egg, bread crumbs, grated ginger, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until sticky.
Chop the onion and carrot finely.Place chopped vegetables in a bowl and microwave for about 1 minute to soften. Let cool.Wrap tofu in paper towels and microwave for 3 minutes to remove excess moisture. Let cool completely.In a large bowl, combine cooled tofu, onion, carrot, salt, egg, bread crumbs, grated ginger, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until sticky.
Prepare the Tofu Hamburg Patty
  • If the mixture is too soft, add more bread crumbs.
  • Shape the mixture into small patties.
  • Heat oil in a frying pan. Cook patties over medium heat until browned on one side.
  • Flip patties, cover with a lid, and steam cook until done.
If the mixture is too soft, add more bread crumbs.Shape the mixture into small patties.Heat oil in a frying pan. Cook patties over medium heat until browned on one side.Flip patties, cover with a lid, and steam cook until done.
Prepare the Tofu Hamburg Patty

Step 2. Cook the Rice and Spinach

  • Chop spinach into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic.
  • Crack eggs into a bowl and beat well. Mix beaten eggs into freshly cooked rice.
  • Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook slowly over low heat until fragrant.
  • Add rice and egg mixture to the pan. Stir-fry quickly over high heat. Sprinkle in Chinese soup stock powder.
Chop spinach into bite-sized pieces and mince garlic.Crack eggs into a bowl and beat well. Mix beaten eggs into freshly cooked rice.Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook slowly over low heat until fragrant.Add rice and egg mixture to the pan. Stir-fry quickly over high heat. Sprinkle in Chinese soup stock powder.
Cook the Rice and Spinach
  • Add chopped spinach and stir-fry until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Scoop rice into a small bowl, press down, and invert onto a plate for a neat presentation.
Add chopped spinach and stir-fry until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.Scoop rice into a small bowl, press down, and invert onto a plate for a neat presentation.
Cook the Rice and Spinach

Step 3. Prepare the Miso Soup

  • Wash and slice sweet potato into half-moon shapes. Soak in water for 10 minutes.
  • Thinly slice onion into bite-sized pieces. Chop green onions for garnish.
  • Pour water into a pot. Add sweet potato and onion. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender.
  • Dissolve miso paste into the broth. Do not boil after adding miso.
Wash and slice sweet potato into half-moon shapes. Soak in water for 10 minutes.Thinly slice onion into bite-sized pieces. Chop green onions for garnish.Pour water into a pot. Add sweet potato and onion. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender.Dissolve miso paste into the broth. Do not boil after adding miso.
Prepare the Miso Soup
  • Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with green onions.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with green onions.
Prepare the Miso Soup

Step 4. Plate and Garnish

  • Place patties on a plate, garnish with shiso leaf, grated daikon radish, and ponzu sauce.
Place patties on a plate, garnish with shiso leaf, grated daikon radish, and ponzu sauce.
Plate and Garnish

Read more: Steamed Meat-Topped Tofu with Sesame Sauce: A Delicious Japanese Recipe

Tips

  • Ensure tofu and vegetables are not too hot before mixing with the egg to prevent premature cooking.
  • Mixing beaten eggs directly into rice helps create light and fluffy fried rice.

Nutrition

  • N/A

FAQs

1. Can I use a different type of tofu?

Yes! Firm or extra-firm tofu works best for achieving the desired texture. Silken tofu will be too soft.

2. How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Ensure you use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and check that any other seasonings or breadcrumbs are also gluten-free.


This healthy and delicious Tofu Hamburg Steak recipe is a perfect weeknight meal, offering a satisfying and nutritious alternative to traditional meat-based dishes. Enjoy the flavorful combination of the tender tofu patties, vibrant spinach fried rice, and comforting miso soup. We hope you savor every bite!