Stir-Fried Lemongrass Tofu with Chili and Garlic

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-18 · Updated 2026-05-18

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A vibrant vegan stir-fry featuring crispy tofu tossed with fragrant lemongrass, fiery chili, and aromatic garlic for a bold Vietnamese-inspired dish. This Vietnamese-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs firm tofu, pressed and cubed, lemongrass stalk, finely minced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 2 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed
1 lemongrass stalk, finely minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 red chili, thinly sliced
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz pressed firm tofu cubes and fry for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crispy on all sides.
Step 2: Push tofu to one side of skillet. Add 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 thinly sliced red chili to the oil. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Step 3: Mix tofu with aromatics, then add 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp brown sugar. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the tofu.
Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with steamed rice or noodles.