Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies and Garlic
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 (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.
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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies 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 Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies 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.
Is Quick Stir-Fried Thai Basil Tofu with Chilies and Garlic 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.
