Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegan stir fry featuring tofu cubes tossed in a spicy chili-garlic sauce, complemented by crisp snow peas and crunchy toasted cashews. This asian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, trimmed snow peas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.3 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 14 oz extra-firm tofu cubes with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and fry the tofu for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup snow peas and 1 sliced red bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sambal oelek, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Pour this sauce into the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
  5. Step 5: Return the tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/3 cup roasted cashews and 2 sliced green onions over the stir fry before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Chili-Garlic Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas and Cashews vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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