Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry
Quick stir-fried tofu with fresh spinach and garlic in a light soy sauce glaze, perfect for a healthy vegan meal. This asian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs fresh spinach leaves, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce 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.
Ingredients
- 14 oz block, drained and cubed into 1-inch pieces extra firm tofu
- 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 sliced, for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed extra firm tofu and sauté for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden and crispy.
- Step 2: Push tofu to one side of the pan. Add 5 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes to the empty side and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 6 cups fresh spinach leaves and 3 tbsp soy sauce to the pan. Stir everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and soy sauce lightly coats tofu and greens.
- Step 4: Drizzle 1 tbsp sesame oil over the stir fry and toss once more. Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry 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 Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry?
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 fresh spinach leaves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry?
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 Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry 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 Sautéed Garlic Spinach and Tofu Stir Fry 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Amazing! Tofu came out perfectly crispy. Served with rice and it was a full meal.
- ★★★★★
So simple and delicious. The garlic really enhanced the spinach. Will be a regular in my rotation.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My kids ate the spinach and tofu without complaining. Perfect for a healthy dinner.