Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry with Green Beans
A fiery and aromatic vegetarian stir-fry featuring crispy tofu and fresh green beans tossed in a bold Sichuan chili sauce. This chinese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs green beans, trimmed and halved, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.
Ingredients
- 14 oz extra firm tofu, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz green beans, trimmed and halved
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
- 6 dried red chilies, broken into pieces
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp black vinegar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz pressed extra firm tofu cubes and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil and sauté 8 oz trimmed and halved green beans for 5 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, 1 tsp toasted and ground Sichuan peppercorns, and 6 broken dried red chilies to the skillet. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp black vinegar, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water.
- Step 5: Return the tofu to the skillet and pour the sauce mixture over. Toss everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu and green beans.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp sesame oil and 2 sliced scallions. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry with Green Beans 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 Green Beans?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry with Green Beans?
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 Green Beans 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 Green Beans 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.
