Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic-Chili Broccoli and Sesame
Firm tofu cubes stir-fried until crisp with garlicky, spicy broccoli and toasted sesame seeds for a quick vegan main. This asian fusion-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 25 minutes pairs block, pressed and cubed firm tofu, broccoli florets, 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 4, 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, pressed and cubed firm tofu
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
- 1 tsp, minced fresh ginger
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add 14 oz cubed firm tofu and cook without stirring for 3 minutes until bottoms are golden and crisp.
- Step 2: Toss tofu gently and cook for another 3-4 minutes until all sides are golden. Remove tofu to a plate.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the wok, then add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 1 tsp minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp red chili flakes. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Return tofu to the wok and add 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Toss everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 thinly sliced green onions over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic-Chili Broccoli and Sesame 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-Chili Broccoli and Sesame?
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 broccoli florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic-Chili Broccoli and Sesame?
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-Chili Broccoli and Sesame for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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-Chili Broccoli and Sesame 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.