Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic-Basil Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Crisp cubes of tofu stir-fried with fresh garlic and fragrant Thai basil, coated in a savory-sweet sauce that highlights classic Asian flavors. This Thai-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 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: 20 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Thai cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Drain and press 14 oz extra firm tofu for 15 minutes, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Toss tofu cubes gently with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add tofu cubes and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Remove tofu from wok and set aside on paper towels.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium. Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the hot wok and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water. Bring sauce to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Return tofu to the wok and toss gently to coat with sauce.
  6. Step 6: Add 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (if using). Stir-fry for 1 minute until basil is wilted and tofu is heated through.
  7. Step 7: Remove from heat and serve immediately with steamed jasmine rice.

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