Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir Fry with Garlic and Scallions

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-06 · Updated 2026-08-06

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 vibrant and spicy vegetarian stir fry featuring crispy tofu cubes tossed with aromatic garlic, scallions, and Sichuan peppercorns for a tongue-tingling kick. This Chinese-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs firm tofu, cornstarch, vegetable oil 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. 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 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz block, drained and pressed firm tofu
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
4 stalks, sliced into 1-inch pieces scallions
1 tsp dried red chili flakes
1/2 tsp, toasted and crushed Sichuan peppercorns
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
2 tbsp water

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Instructions

Step 1: Cut 14 oz firm tofu into 1-inch cubes and toss gently with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 cloves minced garlic, 4 sliced scallions, 1 tsp dried red chili flakes, and 1/2 tsp toasted crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Mix 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl. Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for 1 minute until it thickens slightly.
Step 5: Return the crispy tofu to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the spicy garlic sauce. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.