Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger
A vibrant and healthy stir-fry featuring crispy tofu, fresh broccoli florets, and aromatic garlic and ginger, perfect for a speedy vegetarian dinner. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, garlic cloves, minced, fresh ginger, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 14 oz pressed extra-firm tofu cubes with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy; remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and 1/4 cup water, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes until broccoli is bright green and just tender.
- Step 5: Return the tofu to the skillet and pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Toss everything together and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce coats the tofu and broccoli.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger 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 Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger?
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 broccoli florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger?
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 Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Tofu with Garlic, Broccoli, and Ginger 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.