Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu with Snow Peas
A fast and flavorful stir fry featuring crispy tofu tossed with crunchy snow peas and a spicy sesame sauce. This asian fusion-inspired stir fry (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs firm tofu, pressed and cubed, snow peas, trimmed, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 firm tofu, pressed and cubed
- 2 cups snow peas, trimmed
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 14 oz pressed and cubed firm tofu with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy; remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, heat 2 tbsp sesame oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups trimmed snow peas and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp honey in a small bowl, then pour over snow peas.
- Step 6: Return crispy tofu to the skillet and toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until tofu is coated and heated through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu 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 Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu 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 firm tofu, pressed and cubed from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu 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 Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu 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 Quick Stir-Fried Spicy Sesame Tofu 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.
