Quick Stir-Fried Tofu with Shiso and Sesame

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A light and savory stir-fry featuring crispy tofu cubes tossed with fresh shiso leaves and toasted sesame for a fragrant vegetarian delight. This japanese ready in about 22 minutes pairs firm tofu, shiso leaves, sesame oil 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 block, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
• 10 leaves, thinly sliced shiso leaves
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2, sliced diagonally scallions
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Press and drain a 14 oz block of firm tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz tofu cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
3. Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burned.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp mirin, stirring gently to coat the tofu. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Turn off the heat and stir in 10 thinly sliced shiso leaves, 2 sliced scallions, 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, tossing until everything is evenly combined and aromatic. Serve immediately.