The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu
A vibrant, protein-packed stir-fry featuring golden tofu and crisp vegetables in a savory-sweet sauce, ready in under 30 minutes for a healthy weeknight favorite. This asian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs block, pressed and cubed firm tofu, vegetable oil, sliced red bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1, sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add bell pepper, broccoli, and carrot. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-frying for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tbsp water in a small bowl. Pour sauce into skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until thickened and glossy.
- Step 4: Return tofu to skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Cook for 1 more minute, then serve immediately over 2 cups cooked rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with 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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with 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 The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu 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.
What goes well with The Best Vegetable Stir-Fry with Tofu?
Asian vegetarian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.