TrueCar's Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry with Rice Noodles

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-06 · Updated 2026-04-06

A vibrant, protein-packed stir-fry with crispy tofu, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty ginger-scallion sauce. This asian-inspired vegetarian (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs firm tofu, rice noodles, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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
• 8 oz rice noodles
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 3 finely sliced scallions
• 1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers
• 1 cup matchstick cut carrots
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: Press 14 oz firm tofu for 20 minutes to remove excess moisture, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Step 2: Cook 8 oz rice noodles according to package directions until al dente, then rinse under cold water and set aside.
3. Step 3: Whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves for the sauce.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat, then add tofu cubes and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
5. Step 5: Add 1 cup thinly sliced bell peppers and 1 cup matchstick carrots, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp-tender.
6. Step 6: Pour the sauce over the tofu and vegetables, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and coats everything, about 1 minute.
7. Step 7: Add the cooked rice noodles and 3 sliced scallions, tossing gently to combine and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
8. Step 8: Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes just before serving for a subtle kick.