Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli
A speedy and flavorful Asian-inspired stir fry featuring crispy tofu and bright green broccoli coated in a garlicky sesame sauce. This asian fusion-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pressed and cubed firm tofu, broccoli florets, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz pressed, cubed firm tofu and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides.
- Step 2: Add 3 cups broccoli florets to the pan and stir fry for 3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in a sauce made by mixing 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 1 tbsp honey. Toss everything to coat and cook for another 2 minutes until broccoli is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving immediately over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli 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 Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli?
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 Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli?
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 Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli 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 Quick Garlic-Sesame Stir Fry with Tofu and Broccoli 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.