Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, aromatic stir-fry featuring crispy pan-seared tofu and seasonal vegetables in a savory five-spice sauce, ready in 20 minutes. This chinese-inspired asian (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs pressed and cubed firm tofu, vegetable oil, florets broccoli for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 3.9 (12 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook for 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides.
  2. Step 2: Push tofu to one side of the skillet and add broccoli, red bell pepper, and carrot. Stir-fry for 4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
  3. Step 3: Return tofu to the skillet. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tsp five-spice powder. Pour sauce over vegetables and tofu.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water. Cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats ingredients evenly.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 sliced green onions and cook for 30 seconds more. Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1/4 cup chopped peanuts if using.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry?

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 pressed and cubed firm tofu from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry?

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 Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Five-Spice Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry vegetarian?

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

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