Stir-Fried Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce
A colorful, quick stir-fry of noodles, crisp vegetables, and tofu tossed in a fragrant garlic soy sauce, perfect for a home-cooked Asian-inspired meal. This asian-inspired street food (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs block, drained and cubed firm tofu, rice noodles, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.
Ingredients
- 14 oz block, drained and cubed firm tofu
- 8 oz rice noodles
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 large, thinly sliced carrot
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 cup trimmed snap peas
- 3 sliced diagonally green onions
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 8 oz rice noodles in hot water for 8 minutes until tender, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat. Add 14 oz cubed firm tofu and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and crisp on all sides. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok. Sauté 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 large thinly sliced carrot, 1 medium julienned red bell pepper, and 1 cup snap peas. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are bright and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return tofu to the wok along with soaked noodles. Pour in 4 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using. Toss everything over high heat for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the noodles and veggies.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 3 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce 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 Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce?
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 rice noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce?
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 Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Tofu and Vegetable Noodles with Garlic Soy Sauce vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged 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
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Crispy tofu and fresh veggies made this my go-to weeknight meal.
- ★★★★★
This recipe was a hit with my picky kids! The garlic soy sauce made the tofu shine, and it was ready in under 20 minutes.
- ★★★★☆
Perfect street food vibe at home—just needed to add extra ginger to boost the flavor a bit more.