Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry

By · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant and colorful stir-fry featuring crispy tofu, fresh vegetables, and bright lemongrass infused sauce for a light vegan meal. This vietnamese-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 30 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, large, julienned carrot 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 Vietnamese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 14 oz firm tofu cubes and cook without stirring for 3-4 minutes until golden on one side, then flip and cook another 3 minutes until all sides are crisp; remove tofu and set aside.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 finely minced lemongrass stalk (white part only), and 2 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced red bell pepper, 1 julienned carrot, and 1 cup snap peas; stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return tofu to the skillet and stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lime juice, and 1 tsp brown sugar; cook for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats all ingredients.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves and 2 sliced green onions before serving with steamed jasmine rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry 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 Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry?

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 Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry?

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 Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry 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.

Is Vibrant Vietnamese Lemongrass Tofu Stir-Fry 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.

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