Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

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 developed and reviewed.

A vibrant Thai-style stir-fry featuring crispy tofu, fresh holy basil, aromatic garlic, and spicy red chilies for a quick vegetarian meal. This Thai-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced, fresh red Thai chilies, thinly sliced 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
3 tbsp vegetable oil
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 fresh red Thai chilies, thinly sliced
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 cup, loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves
2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 14 oz extra firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes and cook, turning occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until all sides are golden and crisp.
Step 2: Push the tofu to one side of the pan and add 5 minced garlic cloves and 3 thinly sliced fresh red Thai chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
Step 3: Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, and 1 tsp sugar in a small bowl. Pour the sauce over the tofu and garlic-chili mixture and toss gently to coat all the tofu evenly.
Step 4: Add 1 cup loosely packed fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions to the pan. Stir-fry for another 1 minute until the basil is wilted and aromatic.
Step 5: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.