Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery and aromatic stir-fry featuring crispy tofu cubes tossed in a spicy Szechuan sauce with crunchy peanuts and garlic for a satisfying vegetarian main. This chinese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs drained and cubed extra-firm tofu, peanut oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Press and drain 14 oz extra-firm tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Heat 3 tbsp peanut oil in a large wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Carefully add tofu cubes to the wok and fry without stirring for 3 minutes until the bottoms are golden and crispy. Flip and fry another 3 minutes to crisp all sides, then remove tofu and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp toasted and crushed Szechuan peppercorns, and 4 broken dried red chilies to the wok, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp brown sugar, cooking for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return the crispy tofu to the wok along with 1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts and 2 sliced green onions. Toss everything together for 2 minutes to coat the tofu evenly and warm the peanuts.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts 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 Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts?

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 peanut oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts?

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 Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts 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 Szechuan-Style Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Peanuts 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.

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