The BEST Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

By Sammi Brondo — July 6, 2026

The BEST Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps are packed with crispy tofu, fresh veggies, and a sweet-savory sauce that delivers bold flavor in every bite. This easy plant-based recipe is healthy, high in protein, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, meal prep, or a light lunch.

I have to be honest with you. I tried to write this copy so many times.

And each time, I came to a complete blank. Because these lettuce wraps are SO good. And I don’t know how to adequately convey that.

Do I tell you I’m obsessed? No… too influencer-y. 

Do I write that these are sooooo good? No… sounds cheesy.

The only thing I could think to do was to name these lettuce wraps appropriately as The Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps.

Because really, that’s what they are. They’re deliciously saucy and probably the best lettuce wraps I’ve ever had.

If you’re at all skeptical about tofu, please let me be the one to change your mind.

Tofu is amazing protein source. It’s full of high quality plant-protein and it’s so versatile.

It’s like a sponge, soaking up any flavor that it’s paired with. In these lettuce wraps specifically, it soaks up the incredible sauce so well.

Add it to lettuce wraps with a bunch of sautéed veggies, and you’ve got the most amazing, flavorful, and refreshing meal.

Why You’ll Love The Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Let’s face it, I’m a broken record when it comes to this sentiment: food is supposed to taste good and be enjoyed.

Yes, protein is important. And yes, vegetables are crucial for our health.

But choking down plain protein and boring steamed vegetables? No thank you.

Instead, these tofu lettuce wraps give you all the nutrition benefits of protein and vegetables, with amazing added flavor.

They’re so easy to make and totally satisfying.

Plus, with the saucy tofu, mushrooms, carrots, and water chestnuts all in fresh, crunchy beds of lettuce, it makes a really refreshing lunch when the weather gets warm.

Hopefully I’ve done a good job capturing just how good these are.

But honestly if not? Just try them for yourself and see.

How To Make the Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Prep ingredients

Prep all of your ingredients to make The Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Drain the tofu

Drain the water from the tofu and wrap it in a kitchen towel or paper towel. Place the wrapped tofu on plate with something heavy – like a pan – on top. Let tofu sit for at least 15 minutes to drain the water.

Prepare the sauce

Prepare the sauce. In a bowl, add the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Whisk well to combine.

Cut tofu into cubes

Cut the tofu in half vertically and then cut into small cubes. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and gently toss, so that all of the tofu is coated with the cornstarch.

Marinate the tofu

Add the cubed tofu to the bowl with the sauce and gently toss the tofu until it’s all fully covered. 

Set aside and let the tofu marinate in the sauce for about 15 minutes.

Prepare the vegetables

While the tofu is marinating, prepare the vegetables. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan over medium heat. Add the carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft.

Place tofu on baking sheet

Remove the tofu from the sauce, reserving the extra sauce, and place it in a single layer on the baking sheet.

Bake the tofu

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, gently tossing the tofu halfway through.

Pour sauce over vegetables

Pour the remaining sauce over the vegetables and turn the heat down to low. Cook for another few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens considerably.

The BEST Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Assemble the lettuce wraps

Assemble the lettuce wraps. You’ll have about 7-8 wraps – I recommend using 2 lettuce leaves for each “wrap.” Top each one with a heaping spoonful of tofu, followed by about a tablespoon of the vegetable mixture.

If You Like The Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps, Try These

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Tofu: Extra firm tofu is best for this recipe. Make sure to drain the water out before cutting it into cubes.
  • Hoisin sauce: While it’s not a sauce I use often, this is a great sauce to keep in your fridge for recipes. It’s packed with flavor.
  • Soy sauce: I used a low sodium soy sauce. You can also swap for coconut aminos.
  • Rice vinegar: A small amount of rice vinegar helps to tie the sauce together.
  • Olive oil: My go-to oil for cooking!
  • Cornstarch: Tossing the tofu in cornstarch helps it to get a little crispy when it’s baked.
  • Carrots: You can either shred carrots yourself or buy them pre-shredded. Once shredded, give them a quick chop so that they’re small and similarly sized to the mushrooms and water chestnuts.
  • Baby bella mushrooms: Other mushroom varieties will work here too, just make sure to chop them well.
  • Water chestnuts: Find canned water chestnuts in the pantry aisle near other canned vegetables. Drain them and give them a quick rinse before chopping.
  • Butter lettuce: I find butter lettuce best for lettuce wraps. You can also use romaine hearts though if you can’t find any.

The Best Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps Tips

  • Draining the tofu: Wrapping tofu in paper towel or a kitchen towel and placing something heavy on it is so important to get some of the water out of the tofu. Make sure not to skip this step.
  • Make ahead: To make this recipe ahead of time, prepare the tofu and vegetables and keep them in airtight containers in the fridge. Add the tofu and vegetables to the lettuce leaves when ready to eat or serve.
  • Storage: See make ahead notes. Store the tofu and vegetables in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add them to the lettuce once you’re ready to eat or serve.
Course: Dinner, Lunch

The BEST Saucy Tofu Lettuce Wraps

5 from 2 votes
Sammi Brondo
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Ingredients  

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
  • 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup baby bella mushrooms finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup canned water chestnuts roughly chopped
  • 14-16 leaves of butter lettuce
  • To garnish: sesame seeds green onion

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Drain the water from the tofu and wrap it in a kitchen towel or paper towel. Place the wrapped tofu on plate with something heavy – like a pan – on top. Let tofu sit for at least 15 minutes to drain the water.
  • Prepare the sauce. In a bowl, add the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Whisk well to combine.
  • Cut the tofu in half vertically and then cut into small cubes. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the tofu and gently toss, so that all of the tofu is coated with the cornstarch.
  • Add the cubed tofu to the bowl with the sauce and gently toss the tofu until it’s all fully covered.
  • Set aside and let the tofu marinate in the sauce for about 15 minutes.
  • While the tofu is marinating, prepare the vegetables. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to a pan over medium heat. Add the carrots, mushrooms, and water chestnuts and sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft.
  • Remove the tofu from the sauce, reserving the extra sauce, and place it in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, gently tossing the tofu halfway through.
  • Pour the remaining sauce over the vegetables and turn the heat down to low. Cook for another few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens considerably.
  • Assemble the lettuce wraps. You’ll have about 7-8 wraps – I recommend using 2 lettuce leaves for each “wrap.” Top each one with a heaping spoonful of tofu, followed by about a tablespoon of the vegetable mixture.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

Did you make this recipe?

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5 from 2 votes

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These are so good. My younger daughter is vegetarian and the rest of us are not but these are so flavorful and have everything we need for a filling dinner! Will definitely make again!