Sautéed Tofu with Black Bean and Chili Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A flavorful vegan stir-fry featuring firm tofu browned to perfection and coated in a spicy black bean chili garlic sauce. This Chinese-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, fermented black beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 220 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp, rinsed and roughly chopped fermented black beans
4, minced garlic cloves
1 tsp red chili flakes
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2, sliced thin on the diagonal green onions
1 tsp sesame oil

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and sauté for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden and crisp.
Step 2: Push tofu to the side; add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp chopped fermented black beans to the empty side of the pan. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 tsp red chili flakes.
Step 3: Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl. Pour this sauce into the skillet and stir gently to coat the tofu completely. Let simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings to the tofu.
Step 4: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, then toss in 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.