Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles
A fast and flavorful vegan stir-fry featuring crispy tofu, tender broccoli, and silky rice noodles tossed in a fragrant ginger-sesame sauce. This asian fusion-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs rice noodles, broccoli florets, sesame oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 (1 block) firm tofu, drained and cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 6 oz rice noodles
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to boil, add 6 oz rice noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed firm tofu and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and slightly crispy on all sides. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Return tofu to the skillet and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Toss to coat and cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 6: Add the cooked rice noodles and gently toss everything together until heated through.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 3 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles?
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 rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles?
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 Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles 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 Ginger-Sesame Broccoli and Rice Noodles vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.