Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas
A vibrant stir fry featuring firm tofu and crisp snow peas tossed in a spicy gochujang sauce, balanced with garlic and sesame for a satisfying vegetarian meal. This korean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs block, pressed and cubed firm tofu, trimmed snow peas, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz block, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 2 cups, trimmed snow peas
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz pressed and cubed firm tofu and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey. Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups trimmed snow peas to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce; cook for 3 minutes until the snow peas are tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Return the tofu to the skillet and gently toss everything together. Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir fry, sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions on top before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas?
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 trimmed snow peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas?
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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas 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 Korean-Inspired Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Snow Peas 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.