Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Basil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

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 developed and reviewed.

A quick and fragrant stir-fry featuring crispy tofu cubes tossed with garlic, fresh basil, and a savory soy sauce glaze for a vibrant vegetarian dish. This Thai-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 22 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, garlic cloves 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: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz block, pressed and cut into 1-inch cubes firm tofu
3 tbsp vegetable oil
5 cloves, thinly sliced garlic cloves
1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian substitute)
1 tsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp (optional) red chili flakes
2 stalks, sliced diagonally green onions

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 14 oz pressed firm tofu cubes and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden and crisp.
Step 2: Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves to the wok and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce (or vegetarian substitute), 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using. Toss to coat the tofu evenly and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 4: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions just until the basil wilts, about 30 seconds.
Step 5: Serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice or noodles.