Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A lively stir fry with crispy tofu cubes tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce of soy, honey, rice vinegar and sriracha. This asian fusion-inspired vegan ready in about 30 minutes pairs cornstarch, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Asian Fusion cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 14 oz pressed and cubed extra firm tofu with 3 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated. Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu cubes for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy; remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 sliced medium red bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
  3. Step 3: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tsp sriracha sauce in a small bowl. Pour sauce into the skillet with the bell pepper, add tofu back in, and toss to coat for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and glazes the tofu. Sprinkle 3 sliced green onions and 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu?

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 cornstarch from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu?

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 Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu 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.

What goes well with Sweet and Spicy Stir Fried Tofu?

Asian Fusion vegan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes