Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms
A savory vegan stir-fry featuring crispy tofu cubes and earthy shiitake mushrooms tossed in a fragrant garlic soy sauce. This asian-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs sliced shiitake mushrooms, vegetable oil, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 14 oz block, drained and cut into 1-inch cubes extra-firm tofu
- 8 oz, sliced shiitake mushrooms
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 3 stalks, sliced green onions
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 14 oz cubed extra-firm tofu with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and pan-fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove tofu and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Sauté 5 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger over medium heat for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes until mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.
- Step 4: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1/4 cup water, pour into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Return tofu to pan, toss gently to coat, and cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and clings to tofu and mushrooms.
- Step 5: Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry, season with 1/4 tsp black pepper, and garnish with 3 sliced green onions before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms?
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 sliced shiitake mushrooms from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms?
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 with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 with Garlic and Shiitake Mushrooms 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.
