Serious Sesame-Glazed Tofu Stir-Fry
A vibrant Asian dish combining crispy tofu, snap peas, and carrots in a savory-sweet sesame sauce, served over steamed jasmine rice. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 45 minutes pairs pressed and cubed firm tofu, snap peas, julienned carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 1 cup snap peas
- 2 cups, julienned carrots
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water cornstarch
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, toss tofu cubes with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1/2 tsp salt. Let marinate 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add tofu and sauté 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add snap peas and carrots. Stir-fry 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger, sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in remaining 2 tbsp soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Stir to combine. Mix in cornstarch slurry and cook 2 minutes until sauce thickens. Return tofu to pan and toss to coat. Serve over steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Serious Sesame-Glazed Tofu Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Serious Sesame-Glazed 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 pressed and cubed firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Serious Sesame-Glazed 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 Serious Sesame-Glazed Tofu Stir-Fry 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.
What goes well with Serious Sesame-Glazed Tofu Stir-Fry?
Asian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
