Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Ginger in Spicy Szechuan Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

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 drafted and published.

Crispy tofu cubes stir-fried with fresh garlic and ginger, tossed in a bold and spicy Szechuan-inspired sauce. This Chinese-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs extra-firm tofu, cornstarch, 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 280 cal/serving

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Ingredients

14 oz block, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes extra-firm tofu
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp vegetable oil
4 cloves minced garlic cloves
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
2 stalks sliced diagonally green onions
1 tsp toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

Step 1: Toss 14 oz extra-firm tofu cubes with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Step 2: Add tofu cubes in a single layer and cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until bottom is golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until all sides are crisp. Remove tofu and set aside.
Step 3: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Return tofu to the skillet, toss to coat evenly in the sauce, cooking for 1 more minute.
Step 6: Sprinkle 2 sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds over the top before serving.