Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Chili in Structured Sauce
A vibrant stir-fry featuring firm tofu cubes tossed in a savory garlic-chili sauce, delivering a perfect balance of heat and umami in every bite. This Chinese-inspired St. Patrick’s Day recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.
Ingredients
- 400g firm tofu
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium fresh red chili, sliced
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 50 ml water
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 stalks spring onions, chopped
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Press 400g firm tofu to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tofu cubes and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes until all sides are golden and slightly crispy; remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same wok, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 sliced fresh red chili, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 4: Combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 50 ml water in a small bowl, then pour this sauce into the wok.
- Step 5: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tsp cold water to make a slurry; add it to the wok and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 1-2 minutes.
- Step 6: Return the tofu to the wok and toss gently to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 2 chopped spring onions over the dish, stir briefly, and remove from heat. Serve immediately.








