Spicy Korean-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Gochujang

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

Firm tofu stir-fried with a spicy, savory gochujang sauce and crisp vegetables for a flavorful vegan meal. This Italian recipe (vegan), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
• 3 stalks, sliced green onions
• 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until the bottoms are golden and crispy.
3. Step 3: Flip the tofu cubes and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 julienned red bell pepper to the pan; stir-fry for 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
4. Step 4: Stir together 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 3 tbsp water in a small bowl, then pour over the tofu and vegetables.
5. Step 5: Toss everything gently and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
6. Step 6: Turn off heat and stir in 1 tsp sesame oil and 3 sliced green onions. Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.