Stir-Fried Tofu with Spicy Chili-Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-10 · Updated 2026-05-10

A vibrant vegan stir-fry featuring crispy tofu tossed in a fiery homemade chili-garlic sauce, balanced with fresh vegetables. This Asian-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs 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.

Ingredients

• 14 oz firm tofu
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
• 1 cup snap peas
• 3 stalks, chopped green onions
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sambal oelek (chili paste)
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tsp, toasted sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Press 14 oz firm tofu between paper towels for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes and toss with 2 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then transfer to a plate.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
4. Step 4: Add 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 cup snap peas, stir-frying for 3 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Step 5: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sambal oelek, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl, then pour into the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
6. Step 6: Return the tofu to the skillet along with 3 chopped green onions, tossing everything for 1 minute until heated through.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds over the stir-fry before serving.