Spicy Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas
Crispy baked tofu coated in a sticky-sweet sesame-ginger sauce, stir-fried with vibrant snap peas and carrots for a vibrant, plant-powered weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired vegetarian (gluten-free, vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs pressed and cubed extra-firm tofu, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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. 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, pressed and cubed extra-firm tofu
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1.5 cups snap peas
- 1 cup, thinly sliced carrots
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss tofu cubes with cornstarch until evenly coated, then arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Step 2: Bake for 20-22 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp at edges.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
- Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas and carrots, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green.
- Step 5: Add tofu and sauce to skillet, tossing to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens and coats tofu, bubbling gently.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately over rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas?
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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas?
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 Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas 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 Spicy Sesame-Ginger Tofu Stir-Fry with Snap Peas gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free, vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order asian delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Perfect vegetarian recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.