Quick Stir-Fry Thai Basil Tofu with Bell Peppers

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

A lively vegan stir-fry bursting with fragrant Thai basil, colorful bell peppers, and crispy tofu for a quick weeknight dinner. This Thai vegan recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced, and red bell pepper, sliced thin for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 320 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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 firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced thin
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• 4 lime wedges (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Sauté 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 sliced yellow bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until peppers are slightly tender but still crisp.
4. Step 4: Return the crispy tofu to the wok. Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using. Toss everything together and cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves until wilted. Serve immediately with 4 lime wedges to squeeze over the dish for a bright finish.