Pan-Seared Bitter Melon and Tofu Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A savory stir fry highlighting the distinct bitterness of melon balanced with crispy tofu and a garlicky soy glaze. This Asian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs bitter melon, extra firm tofu, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 230 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed extra firm tofu and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the same skillet. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 medium sliced bitter melon and stir fry for 5-6 minutes until softened but still slightly crisp.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes. Cook for another 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the bitter melon.
  5. Step 5: Return tofu to the skillet and gently toss with the sauce and bitter melon to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions before serving hot.

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