Spicy Korean-Inspired Tofu Stir Fry with Sesame and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-01 · Updated 2026-08-01

A vibrant stir fry combining crispy tofu with spicy garlic sauce and toasted sesame seeds for a quick and flavorful vegan meal. This Korean-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs firm tofu, soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste) 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.

Ingredients

• 14 oz block, drained and cubed into 1-inch pieces firm tofu
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 2 stalks, sliced green onions
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 medium, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, julienned carrot

The wok we’d stir-fry this in → Best Woks for 2026: Carbon Steel, Nonstick & Flat-Bottom Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 14 oz firm tofu cubed into 1-inch pieces and cook, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until all sides are golden and crispy.
2. Step 2: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp gochujang, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 tsp honey or maple syrup.
3. Step 3: Add 1 thinly sliced medium red bell pepper and 1 julienned medium carrot to the skillet with the tofu. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
4. Step 4: Pour the sauce over the tofu and vegetables, tossing to coat evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and is fragrant.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.