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    Home » Tofu

    Tofu Stir Fry

    Published: Nov 7, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    Here's an easy and versatile 30-minute tofu stir fry with your favorite veggies and a tasty sauce that makes it better than a takeaway.

    Serve this quick Asian-inspired meal with noodles or rice as a weeknight dinner or wholesome lunch idea.

    Tofu stir fry and noodles
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Tips
    • Questions
    • More tofu recipes
    • More Asian-inspired recipes
    • Recipe

    Check out our best tofu recipe collection!

    Firm and extra-firm tofu is an excellent ingredient and meat substitute in stir fries thanks to its compact texture, high protein content, and neutral flavor that goes wonderfully with most veggies and sauces.

    In this blog post, you'll learn how to make a tasty Asian-inspired tofu stir fry in less than 30 minutes without having to press the tofu.

    Also, there's no need for a wok or unusual ingredients.

    We'll show you how to serve it with noodles and rice.

    What is stir-frying?

    Stir-frying is a cooking method that originates in China and is now popular worldwide, including in America and Europe.

    It's similar to sautéing, and although in Asian cooking, a wok is used, you can easily stir fry at home with a western-style nonstick pan or cast iron skillet (we strongly recommend nonstick for tofu).

    While millions of regional variations exist, one should know two main stir-frying techniques: Bao and Chao.

    Both use high temperatures; the main difference is that Bao stir-frying is essentially done with oil as the only liquid; there is no sauce and a little seasoning.

    Chao stir-frying uses oil at first to create a flavor base and adds a sauce towards the end to flavor the ingredients.

    For our tofu stir-fry, we use the Chao method and add a quick and tasty sauce to coat the tofu and the veggies and make them extra delicious.

    The result is an incredible combination of flavors, textures, and colors and one of the best stir fry tofu dishes you'll ever have.

    Tofu stir fry with rice

    Ingredients

    ingredients with tofu

    Tofu

    Use firm or extra firm tofu for this tofu stir fry recipe. They are more compact and won't fall apart in the pan.

    They also pan-fry well and turn crisp and golden brown without too much trouble. To pan-fry the tofu, you'll need vegetable oil (we use canola oil or sunflower seed oil).

    Avoid soft tofu and silken tofu here. They would disintegrate in the pan.

    Note: although the vast majority of food sites instruct their readers to press tofu like the world would end if they didn't, there is no need to press tofu.

    Pressing tofu is not common in Asian countries where tofu is consumed as a staple, and we don't recommend doing it in our blog.

    We took plenty of cooking classes in Asia and ate a ton of tofu, but never was it pressed. Pressing takes time and ruins the texture of tofu, making it dry, crumbly, and rubbery.

    Vegetables

    We stir fry with broccoli, yellow or red bell pepper, and mushrooms. You can use your favorite veggies; we recommend sticking to three max.

    Some vegetables that stir fry well are:

    Bell peppers of any colorCut into 1-inch squares or sliced into strips
    Green beansTrim edges and cut in half
    Baby cornCut in half lengthwise
    CarrotsCut into thin slices
    OnionsThinly sliced
    SpinachWhole
    KaleChopped
    Bok choyWhole or chopped
    CabbageSliced
    Peas and snap peasWhole
    Scallionsthinly slice the white and light green part
    ZucchiniCut in half lengthwise, then into half moons
    EggplantCut into dice
    This is not an exhaustive list.

    Ginger, Garlic, and Chili

    Grated ginger, grated garlic, and red pepper flakes (or Chinese dried chilis) add a ton of flavor and aroma to the stir fry. Plus, they make your kitchen smell amazing.

    Scallions (green onions)

    Green onions, scallions, or spring onions are helpful to add flavor, freshness, and color to the tofu stir fry.

    Use the white and light-green part in the stir fry with the other veggies and the darker green part to garnish on top.

    If you can't find scallions, replace them with basil or coriander.

    Stir fry sauce

    • Soy sauce: you can use soy sauce, reduced-sodium soy sauce, tamari sauce, and coco aminos for a gluten-free alternative.
    • Vinegar: you can use rice vinegar, white wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
    • Sugar: white or brown. It also works with maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.
    • Sesame oil: we use raw sesame oil (not toasted sesame oil) for stir-frying. If you don't have that, use vegetable oil such as canola or sunflower. Sesame oil makes the stir-fry taste somewhat authentic, and we love it. You can order it online.
    • Corn starch: to help make the sauce a little thicker and make it stick to the tofu and veggies.
    • Salt and black pepper

    Note: if you like your stir fry saucier, add ½ cup of vegetable broth or water to the sauce.

    Serve it with

    Rice: it's perfect with any boiled rice, including white rice, brown rice, and cauliflower rice.

    Noodles: tofu stir fry works with most noodles, so pick your favorite one. Cook the noodles per package instructions and toss them in the stir fry. We tried rice noodles, udon noodles, lo mein noodles, soba noodles, ramen, and vermicelli.

    Sesame seeds: to garnish.

    tofu stir fry with noodles

    Instructions

    Prep the ingredients

    Take the tofu out of the package, pat it dry with a paper towel, and cut it into ⅔ Inch (1.7 cm) cubes.

    Cut the mushrooms into quarters, the bell pepper into ⅔ Inch (1.7 cm) squares, and the broccoli into small florets.

    Cut the scallions into thin slices, then separate the white and light-green parts from the darker-green tops.

    tofu in cubes

    Make the stir-fry sauce in a small bowl by whisking together soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.

    slurry for stir fry

    Stir-fry ingredients

    To a large nonstick skillet, warm up half the vegetable oil, add the diced tofu, season it with salt, and fry on medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping it every 3 minutes.

    When the tofu is golden-brown, transfer it onto a plate and set aside.

    fried tofu in a skillet

    Wipe the pan clean with a kitchen towel, and add the remaining vegetable oil and chopped mushrooms, bell pepper, and broccoli.

    Stir fry the veggies on medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, moving them around the pan often until they brown slightly.

    Tip: if you like crunchy veggies, cook them less; if you like softer veggies, stir fry them for longer.

    add vegetables to tofu

    Add the white and light-green parts of the scallions, grated garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

    Toss for 1 minute until you smell their fragrance, then add the tofu and stir with the veggies for one more minute.

    tofu added to stir fried veggies

    Add the sauce

    Turn the heat down to medium, add the sauce, and stir fry for 2 more minutes, moving the ingredients around the pan often.

    Tip: if you like a saucier consistency in your stir fry, add ½ cup of vegetable broth.

    tofu with sticky sauce

    Serving suggestions

    Serve immediately on boiled rice and sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds, green onion tops, and a tiny drizzle of sesame oil.

    Tofu stir fry veggies

    Alternatively, boil your favorite noodles per package instructions, add them to the pan with the stir-fried tofu, add ½ cup of vegetable broth and toss on high heat for 1 minute.

    Tofu stir fry with noodles

    Serve the stir-fried tofu with noodles in a bowl with a pinch of chopped scallion tops, sesame seeds, and a drizzle of sesame oil.

    Tofu stir fry with sticks and ginger

    You can serve it alongside an Asian-style starter or side dish, such as:

    • Spring rolls
    • Dumplings
    • Hot and sour soup
    • Korean cucumber salad

    Variations

    Kung pao tofu

    kung pao tofu with basil and peanuts

    Kung pao tofu is a type of marinated stir-fried tofu with crunchy peanuts and a piquant, sweet, and savory blend of flavors.

    It's easy to make and delicious, perfect as an alternative to our tofu stir fry recipe.

    Check out our Kung Pao Tofu recipe.

    Braised tofu

    Braised tofu with scallions

    Braised tofu is almost like a stir fry but with more sauce. The tofu and the veggies are first stir-fried in a pan; then, they are simmered in a rich, delicious, dark sauce that you can make with a few simple ingredients.

    Check out our braised tofu recipe.

    Storage

    Refrigerator: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for three days. Reheat in the microwave or on a pan with a dash of water.

    Freezer: you can freeze leftover stir-fried tofu. However, its texture will change slightly—Thaw in the microwave. Reheat on a pan with some sauce to boost flavor.

    Tips

    Prep ingredients

    Stir fries cook (and burn) fast; prep all your ingredients before you start cooking for the best result and an enjoyable cooking experience.

    Use a nonstick pan

    We are big fans of cast iron skillets, except when cooking tofu. Tofu sticks badly to cast iron unless your pan is perfectly seasoned or you add a ton of oil, so we recommend using nonstick instead.

    Questions

    What type of tofu is best for stir fry?

    Use firm tofu or extra firm tofu for stir fry.

    How long does tofu take to fry?

    Tofu takes about 8 to 12 minutes to fry on a nonstick pan on medium heat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.

    Flip it every 3 minutes when frying tofu, and don't move or touch it while it fries.

    Do you need to press tofu?

    No, you don't have to press tofu. Pressing tofu is a mostly unnecessary step that renders the tofu dry, rubbery, and crumbly if done improperly.

    Do I need to press the tofu for stir fry?

    There is no need to press the tofu for stir fry. Pressing tofu is not common in Asian cooking, and we do not recommend you do it. It's an extra step that adds time and ruins the texture of the tofu.

    How do you make tofu stir fry without it falling apart?

    First, pick the correct type of tofu, which in most stir fries would be firm or extra firm tofu. Second, don't press the tofu. Third, cut the tofu into ⅔ to 1-inch dice with a sharp knife before stir-frying it.

    Why are my stir fry vegetables soggy?

    There are several reasons why your vegetables might turn out soggy in a stir fry:
    1) you overcooked them - stir fry at medium-high heat for a short time, not low heat for a long time.
    2) you added too much liquid - only add liquid at the end, not much of it.
    3) you overcrowded the pan - use a large pan or fewer veggies.
    4) you didn't stir enough - stir fry requires almost constant stirring of the veggies so that the steam gets out of the pan and the veggies scorch evenly on the hot pan without getting soggy.

    More tofu recipes

    If you love cooking with tofu, check out these quick and easy tofu recipes with plant-based ingredients:

    • Tofu curry: an easy and delicious curry in 30 minutes
    • Air fryer tofu: the easiest way to cook tofu in a quick and crispy way
    • Lemon tofu: sliced tofu fried with a quick 10-minute lemon sauce
    • Tofu scramble with veggies, a perfect breakfast or quick lunch
    • Marinated tofu in 30 minutes; it's perfectly charred and chewy!
    • Italian pizzaiola tofu with plenty of tomato sauce and Mediterranean herbs
    • Cream cheese made with tofu and perfect in bagels and with bread!
    • Tofu salad with fried tofu and ultra-smooth tahini dressing
    • marinated tofu on rice
      Marinated Tofu
    • air fryer tofu
      Air Fryer Tofu
    • tofu with pizzaiola sauce
      Tofu with Pizzaiola Sauce
    • tofu curry in a bowl with rice
      Tofu Curry
    • tofu cream cheese on bread
      Tofu Cream Cheese
    • Tofu Salad with dressing
      Tofu Salad
    • Tofu scramble on bread with vegetables
      Tofu Scramble
    • lemon tofu on a white plate
      Lemon Tofu

    More Asian-inspired recipes

    For more Asian-style recipes, try these wholesome and vibrant dinner ideas:

    • Kung pao tofu with peanuts, chili, and jerky-like tofu cubes
    • Sweet and sour eggplant: a great side dish with rice and noodle-dishes
    • Vegan orange chicken: the best plant-based alternative to orange chicken
    • Asian-style tofu soup with seasonal vegetables and noodles
    • Yaki udon with bell pepper, mushrooms, and an easy stir-fry sauce
    • kung pao tofu on a white plate
      Kung Pao Tofu
    • Yaki Udon with bok choy
      Yaki Udon
    • orange tofu served in a bowl on rice with spring onion.
      Orange Tofu
    • tofu soup with spoon
      Tofu Soup

    For many more tofu ideas, check out our tofu category page.

    Recipe

    Tofu stir fry with sticks and noodles

    Tofu Stir Fry

    Author: Nico
    Here's an easy and versatile 30-minute tofu stir fry with your favorite veggies and a tasty sauce that makes it better than a takeaway.
    Serve this quick Asian-inspired meal with noodles or rice as a weeknight dinner or wholesome lunch idea.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main
    Cuisine Asian-American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 254 kcal

    Equipment

    • Large non-stick pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 14 - 16 ounces tofu firm or extra-firm
    • 1 bell pepper yellow or red
    • 6 mushrooms white or brown
    • 1 - 1½ cups broccoli cut in small florets
    • 2½ tablespoons canola oil or sunflower oil
    • 3 scallions
    • 3 cloves garlic grated
    • 2 teaspoons ginger grated
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Stir fry sauce

    • ⅓ cup soy sauce we use reduced-sodium
    • 2 tablespoons vinegar rice, white, or apple cider
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions
     

    PREP THE INGREDIENTS

    • Take tofu out of package, pat dry, and cut into ⅔ Inch (1.7cm) cubes.
      Cut mushrooms into quarters, bell pepper into ⅔ Inch (1.7cm) squares, and broccoli into small florets.
      Thinly slice scallions, then separate white and light-green part from dark green tops.
      tofu in cubes
    • Make stir-fry sauce in a small bowl by whisking together soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper.
      slurry for stir fry

    STIR-FRY INGREDIENTS

    • In a large nonstick pan, warm up 1½ tablespoons of oil, add diced tofu, season it with salt, and fry on medium heat for 10 minutes.
      Flip it every 3 minutes. When golden-brown remove transfer onto a plate and set aside.
      fried tofu in a skillet
    • Wipe pan clean with kitchen paper, add 1 tablespoon of oil, chopped mushrooms, broccoli, and bell pepper.
      Stir fry veggies on medium-high heat for 2 minutes, moving them around the pan often, until slightly brown.
      add vegetables to tofu
    • Add the white and light-green parts of the scallions, grated garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes.
      Toss for 1 minute then add tofu and stir for 1 more minute.
      tofu added to stir fried veggies

    ADD SAUCE

    • Turn heat down to medium, add sauce, and stir fry 2 more minutes, moving ingredients around the pan.
      Tip: if you like a saucier consistency add ½ cup of water or vegetable broth.
      roasted vegetables and tofu

    SERVING SUGGESTIONS

    • Serve on boiled rice with a pinch of sesame seeds, scallion tops, and a few drops of sesame oil.
      Tofu stir fry with rice
    • Alternatively, boil your favorite noodles per package instructions, drain them, add them to the pan with stir-fry, add ½ cup of vegetable broth, and toss on high heat for 1 minute.
      Tofu stir fry with noodles
    • Serve the stir-fried tofu with noodles in a bowl with a pinch of chopped scallion tops, sesame seeds, and a few drops of sesame oil.
      Tofu stir fry with sticks and ginger

    Video Recipe

    Tofu Stir Fry (30 min dinner idea)

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for one serving of stir-fried tofu out of four servings, without rice or noodles.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Tofu Stir Fry
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 254 Calories from Fat 153
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17g26%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 7g
    Monounsaturated Fat 8g
    Cholesterol 0mg0%
    Potassium 347mg10%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Dietary Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Protein 13g26%
    Vitamin A 1201IU24%
    Vitamin B6 0.2mg10%
    Vitamin C 61mg74%
    Vitamin E 2mg13%
    Vitamin K 50µg48%
    Calcium 156mg16%
    Folate 48µg12%
    Iron 2mg11%
    Manganese 0.3mg15%
    Magnesium 29mg7%
    Zinc 1mg7%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this tofu stir fry recipe, you might also like the following:

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      40 Easy Meatless Meals
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    Nico and Louise founders of the Plant-Based School.

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