Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice
A quick and healthy stir-fry featuring marinated tofu, crisp broccoli, and carrots, served over fluffy brown rice with a savory sesame-ginger sauce. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian, dairy-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs block (14 oz), pressed and cubed tofu, cooked brown rice, florets broccoli for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 1 block (14 oz), pressed and cubed tofu
- 1 cup, cooked brown rice
- 1 cup, florets broccoli
- 1/2 cup, julienned carrots
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, honey, and cornstarch. Add tofu cubes and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy, then set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pan, add broccoli and carrots. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Return tofu to the pan and stir to coat with the vegetables.
- Step 4: Pour the marinade (plus 2 tbsp water) into the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu and vegetables. Serve over cooked brown rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice?
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 cooked brown rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice?
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 Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice 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.
Is Sesame Tofu Stir-Fry with Brown Rice vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, dairy-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
