Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts
A fiery Sichuan-inspired stir fry featuring tender tofu cubes, crunchy peanuts, and a bold chili-garlic sauce that wakes up your taste buds. This chinese-inspired stir fry (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs peanut oil, minced garlic cloves, minced ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
- 2 tbsp peanut oil
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 1 tsp, toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns
- 6 whole, broken in half dried red chilies
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/3 cup, roughly chopped roasted peanuts
- 2, sliced thin on the bias green onions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and sauté for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy on all sides. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tsp toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns, and 6 broken dried red chilies. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Chinese black vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 cup water in a small bowl to create the sauce. Pour this sauce into the skillet and cook, stirring, until it thickens and coats the pan, about 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Return the tofu to the skillet and toss gently to coat in the sauce. Add 1/3 cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts and 2 sliced green onions, stirring for another minute.
- Step 5: Finish with 1 tsp sesame oil for aroma and stir once more before serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts?
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 peanut oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts?
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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts 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 Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Crispy Peanuts vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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