Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic
A vibrant stir-fry featuring firm tofu and crisp broccoli tossed in a garlicky, medium-spiced sauce for a quick vegetarian meal. This asian-inspired middle eastern ready in about 25 minutes pairs firm tofu, broccoli florets, garlic cloves 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, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2, sliced green onions
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (e.g. canola)
- 1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water cornstarch
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed firm tofu and fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 5 sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 3 cups broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes.
- Step 4: Return tofu to skillet and pour the sauce over along with the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water). Stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats tofu and broccoli.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving over steamed rice or noodles.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic 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 Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic?
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 firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic?
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 Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic 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.
What goes well with Medium-Spiced Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli and Garlic?
Asian middle eastern like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved how simple it was to make. Served it with rice and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my family! The tofu was perfectly crispy and the garlic flavor was amazing.
- ★★★★★
My go-to for a healthy weeknight dinner. The broccoli stays crisp and the tofu soaks up the sauce.








