Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Scallions in Savory Soy Sauce

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

A quick and flavorful vegetarian stir-fry featuring crispy tofu cubes sautéed with garlic and scallions, finished in a rich soy-based sauce. This Chinese vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs firm tofu, vegetable oil, and garlic cloves 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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

• 14 oz (400 g) firm tofu, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 stalks scallions, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp (optional cornstarch, for slurry)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Press and drain 14 oz firm tofu, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tofu cubes in a single layer and sauté for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and slightly crispy.
3. Step 3: Push tofu to one side of the skillet. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 chopped scallion stalks to the empty side. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the scallions are slightly softened.
4. Step 4: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 cup water, and 1 tsp cornstarch (optional). Pour this sauce over the tofu and aromatics. Stir gently and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
5. Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil and sprinkle 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper over the dish. Toss gently to combine. Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.