Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

About the author — Lauren Mitchell is the Test Kitchen Director at AislePrompt, with over a decade of professional kitchen experience spanning recipe development, culinary technique testing, and hands-on evaluation of cooking methods across hundreds of tested dishes. She sets the technique templates and dietary-tag rules this AI-assisted recipe is built from and directs the Test Kitchen's sampled cook-through checks — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed. Full author profile →

A vibrant stir-fry featuring crispy tofu and fresh broccoli florets tossed in a savory, spicy garlic sauce for a flavorful vegetarian main dish. This Asian Fusion-inspired vegan recipe (gluten-free option), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs extra firm tofu, broccoli florets, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 Asian Fusion cuisine 230 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes extra firm tofu
2 cups broccoli florets
3 tbsp vegetable oil
4 minced garlic cloves
1/2 tsp red chili flakes
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp mixed with 2 tbsp water cornstarch
2 sliced for garnish green onions

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz drained and cubed extra firm tofu, frying for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 3: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp, then return tofu to the pan.
Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar, mixing well. Pour in the cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu and broccoli.
Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli?

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 extra firm tofu from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli?

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 Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Spicy Garlic Stir-Fried Tofu with Broccoli vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten-free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.