Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli

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

A vibrant Asian-inspired stir fry featuring crispy tofu and crunchy broccoli tossed in a spicy garlic sauce, ideal for a quick vegetarian dinner. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (1 block), drained and cubed firm tofu, broccoli florets, vegetable oil 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 14 oz firm tofu and cut into 1-inch cubes. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and crisp; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 2 tbsp water mixed with 1 tsp cornstarch until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Pour the sauce into the skillet with broccoli and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the broccoli.
  6. Step 6: Return the tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli?

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 broccoli florets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli?

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 Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli 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 Stir-Fried Spicy Garlic Tofu with Broccoli 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.

Related recipes