I am sharing one of my very favorite kinds of recipes today! It’s a clean-out-the-fridge, even-if you-can’t- cook-you-can-cook-this, HELP-me-so-hungry, easy, healthy dinner: Tofu Stir Fry! You can use any kind of vegetables you like, the “sauce” is only two ingredients, and the entire shebang is ready in less than 30.
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This easy tofu stir fry came about in one of those classic Erin moves in which I tell myself I am cooking “just for fun!” and don’t need to worry about measurements or posting the recipe.
You’ve witnessed this here before.
I make a recipe. We sit down to eat it. I fall madly in love and realize that I cannot in good faith go about the rest of my mortal existence without sharing the recipe with you.
You need this tofu stir fry and you need it ASAP!
This healthy tofu stir fry is a last-minute meal you can cook with anything you have on hand.
We usually make it with spinach—I have a habit of buying Costco-scale containers of with the best of salad intentions, only to have 40% of the box lingering in my fridge on the brink of extinction—but you can swap in any veggie you like.
Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry? Pepper tofu stir fry? Any vegetable is game!
Even if you think you don’t like tofu, I hope you’ll try this recipe (and Air Fryer Tofu, and Baked Tofu too!).
The tofu is firm and flavorful. The veggies are fresh and colorful. The flavors are salty, savory, and satisfying (just like in this Tofu Curry and Egg Roll in a Bowl).
Tofu stir fry has all the makings for a fast, healthy dinner you can turn to again and again.
For those with dietary considerations, this tofu stir fry is vegan naturally and (if you use gluten free tamari in place of soy sauce) it’s gluten free as well. More stir fry for all!
How to Make the Best Easy Tofu Stir Fry
I made this tofu stir fry immediately after we’d been out of town and all we had in the refrigerator was two blocks of tofu and the aforementioned container of on-the-brink spinach.
As it turns out, if you have tofu, a few veggies, a bottle of soy sauce, and a couple of garlic cloves rolling about in your pantry, you can turn it all into a dynamite dinner.
Core Ingredients to Make Tofu Stir Fry
Let’s talk about the essentials to make a healthy tofu stir fry. This recipe on the whole is very flexible. I only have a few non-negotiables, which, bossy lady that I am, I will make abundantly clear in the following bullets.
- Extra-Firm Tofu. This is the bossy part. Tofu can be confusing, because (like breakfast cereal), there are an alarming number of options that all sound eerily similar. For those yummy, crispy outsides, firm (forgive me) “meaty” insides, and a happy I didn’t realize I loved tofu! experience, look for EXTRA firm tofu.
Not soft. Not silken. Not even firm. EXTRA firm. Are you with me?
Let’s discuss.
The Difference Between Different Types of Tofu
Tofu is categorized depending upon the amount of water content it contains.
- Extra-Firm Tofu has the least amount of liquid. It’s what I always recommend for stir fries, especially if it will be cubed like in this General Tso’s Tofu Stir Fry. It still has enough liquid to where you will need to squeeze some of the liquid out. For cooking tips, check out my post about Crispy Tofu.
- Firm Tofu. Straight talk: I don’t know what the point of this tofu is. Even when I’m crumbling the tofu like in these Tofu Tacos, I still prefer the extra firm, which contains a decent amount of liquid. (Tofu experts, feel free to enlighten me on the purpose of this particular variety.)
- Soft or Silken Tofu. Both of these kinds of tofu (silken is Japanese; soft is Chinese) behave the same way. They have the least amount of liquid squeezed out and are soft and custardy. Don’t try to make a stir fry with this kind of tofu. Instead, blend it into smoothies for a protein boost or, better yet, use it for a dessert like this vegan Chocolate Mousse Pie.
OK, now that we’re on the same page about what kind of tofu to use for tofu stir fry (EXTRA FIRM!), let’s discuss a few other key ingredients for the best-tasting tofu stir fry.
- Fresh Garlic and Ginger. These two are foundational for any great-tasting stir fry.
- Green Onion. Sauté half of them with the vegetables to build flavor, then sprinkle the other half on at the end to give the stir fry some zip and pretty green presentation.
- Soy Sauce and Sesame Oil. Two pantry staples that you can use to create tofu stir fry in a flash. You can add them right to the pan; you don’t even need to mix up a separate sauce! I recommend low sodium sesame oil so that the tofu stir fry doesn’t become overly salty. Sesame oil adds a rich, deep, and lightly toasted flavor to any stir fry. You can find it in the Asian or international oil of most major super markets.
Recipe Tips
A few pro tips to help you cook the best tofu stir fry ever:
- Press out as much of the tofu liquid as you can. The less liquid, the crispier the tofu will be. To do this, place a stack of paper towels on a plate. Wrap the tofu block in more paper towels, then place a second plate on top. Add several heavy items on top to weight the tofu down (canned food is perfect). Let sit 5 to 10 minutes while you prep the rest of the recipe.
- Add the soy sauce in increments as you cook to build flavor. Food should be seasoned throughout the entire cooking process. Each addition changes and deepens the flavor in a unique way that will give you better results than if you just add it all at once at the end.
- Save the sesame oil to drizzle on at the end to preserve its flavor. It’s so robust, toasty, and nutty that a few teaspoons give the illusion that this tofu stir fry recipe is much more complicated to make than it is.
Tofu Stir Fry Your Way: Flexible Ingredients and Additions
Once you’ve gathered the essentials, this tofu stir fry recipe becomes much more flexible:
- Fresh Vegetables. Whatever you have in your fridge! I used spinach, which cooks in minutes, so it makes this recipe especially fast. Broccoli tofu stir fry is another favorite of ours, but you can really swap in any vegetable you like.
Super quick-cooking vegetables like spinach you can cook right along with the tofu, because it will wilt down immediately.
For vegetables like broccoli or red peppers that need longer than a minute or two to become crisp-tender, I recommend cooking the tofu first, removing it to a plate, then stir frying the vegetables separately. Stir everything together right at the end.
- Heat (Red Pepper Flakes or Chili Paste). We like a spicy tofu stir fry, so to give it a kick, I stir in a little fresh chili paste (sambal oelek), which is available in the Asian or international food aisle of most grocery stores and online here. If you can’t find it, red pepper flakes work as well. For a milder flavor, reduce the amount or simply omit it.
- Fish Sauce. For a Thai tofu stir fry spin, replace 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce with fish sauce and squeeze fresh lime juice over the top. You can also swap the shrimp for tofu in my Healthy Shrimp Pad Thai or add tofu to this Vegetarian Pad Thai.
- Rice or Noodles. We usually serve our tofu stir fry with brown rice (I cook it in the Instant Pot right along with the rest of the meal), but if you prefer tofu stir fry noodles, these are a tasty option, and they cook more quickly too!
Recommended Tools to Make Tofu Stir Fry
- Wok. You don’t need a tofu stir fry wok to make great-tasting stir fry—a large, deep nonstick pan will do the trick—but if you plan to cook stir fry often, it’s a handy investment. I have owned this one for about 10 years (eek! I’m old), and I’m still super happy with it. This is a very similar wok, just without the lid so it’s less expensive.
- Wide, heatproof spatula. Perfect for stirring and flipping the tofu cubes.
Whether or not you plan to make this Tofu Stir Fry recipe immediately—though if I may have one more bossy moment, YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE THIS WEEK—the next time you are at the store, toss a few blocks of extra-firm tofu into your cart.
Then, on a busy night when you need a healthy dinner in a hurry, you can pull up this recipe, clean out your fridge, and have a simple, healthy meal on the table in a flash.
Tofu Stir Fry
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Ingredients
- 2 (14-ounce) packages extra-firm tofu do not use firm, silken or anything other than extra-firm
- 1 tablespoon canola oil or grapeseed oil*
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce divided, plus additional to taste
- 3 large garlic cloves minced (about 1 heaping tablespoon)
- 1 small bunch green onions finely chopped, divided
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh chili paste (sambal oelek) or 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (we like a bit of a kick, so I use the full 2 teaspoons chili paste)
- 10 ounces baby spinach**
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
For serving:
- Prepared brown rice see Instant Pot Brown Rice
- Cauliflower rice
- Soba or rice noodles
- Quinoa
Instructions
- Drain the tofu. Wrap each block in a double layer of paper towels and pat dry, pressing down on the tofu lightly to squeeze out excess moisture. Cut the tofu into 3/4-inch cubes.
- In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot but not smoking, add the tofu (be careful, as the oil will splatter a little bit) and drizzle with 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Sauté, stirring every minute or so until the tofu is nicely colored on all sides and the moisture has cooked off, about 8 to 10 minutes. Don’t feel that you need to stir constantly. Sitting for a while on one side is what will allow the tofu to brown. Add the garlic, roughly two-thirds of the green onion, ginger, chili paste, and the remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add several large handfuls of spinach, stirring as you go so that it wilts and you can fit more in the pan. Once the first addition has wilted, continue to add and wilt the spinach by handfuls, until all of the spinach is added. It will seem like a ridiculous amount at first but will cook down considerably. Stir in the sesame seeds. Stir in the sesame oil. Remove from the heat. Sprinkle the reserved green onions over the top. Serve hot, with brown rice, noodles, or whatever you like, along with a few dashes of additional soy sauce and chili paste or flakes to taste.
Video
Notes
- *I don’t recommend olive oil in stir fries at this high of heat, as its lower smoke point can cause it to burn, imparting an off flavor to the whole dish
- **You can replace the spinach with any kind you prefer or have in your refrigerator. Spinach cooks ultra quickly, which is why in this recipe you can sauté it in the pan right with the tofu. For firmer vegetables, like broccoli or peppers, I recommend cooking the tofu as directed through Step 2, then removing it to a plate. Add additional oil (and garlic and ginger if you like) to the pan with your vegetables of choice. As soon as the vegetables are crisp-tender (about 5 to 8 minutes, depending upon the vegetable and how large they are sliced), add the tofu back to the skillet and proceed with the recipe as directed.
- For crazy crispy tofu, prep it through Step 3 in my guide for How to Cook Crispy Tofu. Once you’ve boiled it, pat dry, dice into 3/4-inch cubes, and follow this tofu stir fry recipe as directed, starting with Step 2.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days. Reheat gently in the microwave. You can freeze this as well. The vegetables will become fairly soft and a bit mushy, but if that doesn’t bother you (it certainly doesn’t stop me), freeze away!
Nutrition
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Your website is the first one I go to on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays because I love seeing your newest creations. Today, I literally said out loud, “perfect timing!” when I opened your post. How did you know I’ve been searching for a tofu stir fry recipe?!? :)
Katy, it is destiny! That makes me so happy to hear <3 I hope you love it (and if you try this one, I'd love to hear what you think too!)
Can’t say no to a good bowl of healthy, protein filled deliciousness!! Love the colour you got on that tofu as well!!
Thanks so much!
Thank you for the tip on gradually adding more spinach to cook it down. I have always given up with some small quantity of spinach. Today I was able to use up 1-1/2 bags of it (that needed to be used). I had other leftovers too so I used this recipe as a template and then riffed. Great recipe & techniques, thanks!
Libby, I’m glad the recipe and tip was a success! Thanks for taking the time to share this review.
Love the flavor of the tofu (which is nice and firm and crispy)! Thanks for the recipe!
I’m glad it’s a winner, Pamela! Thanks for sharing this review.
I’ve never cooked tofu before but wanted to try it to get more variety in my diet. I found your recipe and broke your cardinal rule and used firm instead of the extra firm. That’s all I had on hand and I really wanted to try it tonight. I was careful to really brown each side of the cube and get it nice and crispy. It was really good and I’m looking forward to trying it with the extra firm now. Thanks for giving me the extra protein variety I’ve been looking for.
Janice, I’m so glad to hear your inaugural use of tofu went so well! Thanks for taking the time to share this review!
I tried this today and it was delicious! Can I use eggplant too?
I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, Uzma! I think eggplant would be wonderful in this dish.
My husband, who loves most Asian food but not tofu, said this recipe was delicious. I added a couple tablespoons coconut aminos and substituted some of the spinach for red sweet pepper and pea pods. We are currently cutting down on our carbs, and it was great without rice. We will make this again.
YAY! I’m SO happy to hear that this was a hit, Beth! Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind review!
Those tips on different types of tofu were really helpful! Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind comment, Julia! I hope you love the recipe!
Hi Erin, great recipe and very similar to how I do stir fries. Now I’m not a tofu expert but my mother is Japanese and so lots of experience with tofu. So about the firm vs extra-firm, if what you want is crispy chewy tofu then you’re better off withextra-firm but personally I prefer firm and I don’t fry it first. I actually add it at the end once the veggies are soft enough and let it soak in the sauce (I add some dashi or broth to give it some sauce). So it depends on the texture you’re looking for. My mother hates even the firm kind as she says it feels like eating bricks. Only soft or silken for her!
Hope this helps understand a bit the tofu firmness spectrum :)
Ah and another note- a splash of sake or white wine if you have it is also great to add.
Hi Ana! Thank you for sharing all this helpful information about tofu! I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
I hadn’t made a stir fry in ages, so researched several recipes and decided to go with this one. It came out beautifully, both in appearance and taste. I took the option of adding fresh veggies after the tofu step so threw in a couple of peppers (one red and one green) and a handful of beans, which had been harvested from the garden that morning, cooked them for 5 minutes, then added the tofu back and about 4 oz of spinach and finished it off as written. Served over rice, this is the perfect setting for fresh vegetables.
YAY! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Carol! I’m so happy that this recipe was a hit!
We absolutely loved this recipe. Delicious! My 6,4, and 2 year olds even ate it all up. We will definitely be making this again and again.
I’m so happy that your family enjoyed this recipe, Morgan! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
This is an excellent recipe. Though I had to make some swaps since I didn’t have spinach (used broccoli and mushrooms) and used coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, I thought it was absolutely delicious. I served this over jasmine brown rice and really liked the combination of textures. I have tried many stir fry recipes and this is now my favorite. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Sarah! I’m so happy to hear that this was a hit!
This recipe is fantastic! I love to cook, but I’ve stayed away from most Asian-inspired recipes because it’s out of my cooking comfort zone. (Definitely not out of my eating comfort zone though!) This was the best stir fry I’ve ever made. Even my meat-loving husband, aka “Mr. I-Hate-Tofu”, loved it! This will be going into our regular rotation of dinners. Thank you!!!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, Kristi! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
I made some modifications, for instance, more veggies. I used beet greens, cauliflower, and mushrooms. And I halved the recipe. The hint for reducing the moisture from the tofu is great. I also put the finished dish on top of quinoa. Yum yum! The fact that you share that it was an experiment gave me permission to look at the recipe, but also be loose with it. Thank you! Sondra
Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review, Sondra! I’m so happy to hear that this recipe was a hit!
I omitted the spinach and used red peppers, broccoli and pea pods. The tofu was delicious and the veg cooked up nicely. But it was pretty dry. No sauce at all. I guess the spinach is there for a reason. Yes? Suggestions?
Hi Nancy! You can swap out the spinach for another vegetable if you prefer, and you could add some of your favorite sauce at the end.
This looks delicious but I am the only one in my house that will eat tofu :( Do you think this would keep well in the fridge if I wanted to keep it for lunches throughout the week?
Hi Lynn! You can definitely keep your leftovers for about 5 days and enjoy them throughout the week. I hope you enjoy!
Thank you for your response! I just made it with spinach and bell peppers and it is delicious!
I’m so happy to hear this, Lynn! Thanks for taking the time to report back!
Delicious! I went without the chili paste and added a squeeze of lemon instead.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, TR! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thank you Erin for introducing me to this Asian style recipe and the comprehensive explanation of preparing tofu.
I’ve been in Asia for over a year, and how I love the Asian kitchen, sesame oil and soy sauce weren’t condiments that are part of my store cupboard.. Until yesterday!
When I saw this recipe I headed to the Asian supermarket to get this stuff immediately! And I’m pretty sure I’m going to use these ingredients many times from now on. Thanks to your recipe I have an idea on how to use them ‘correctly’, so the flavours will be maintained.
The taste of this recipe is so good! Not overwhelming, just perfect.
I made a small adjustment: I swapped half of the soy sauce with ketjap kental andddd, I put it on top of (cold) chickpeas, which became warm by the hot tofu dish! Can recommend this too.
Thanks a lot!
(I don’t often leave a reply, but this recipe and thorough ‘tofu how-to’ is def worth it!)
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Kim! Thank you for sharing this kind review and your adaptations!
I’ve only put tofu in chilli’s and it’s never really gone down well but wow, this recipe is a tofu changer…it was so tasty!! Will definitely be making this many more times as family enjoyed it too…so pleased to have another veggie recipe on the family menu. Thank you so much. :)
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Pam! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
i have baked tofu plus frozen spinach and wonder if I can modify the recipe and use them both in this dish? I will just tweak the instructions.
Hi Martha! I haven’t tried the recipe this way myself, but if you decide to experiment, I’d love to hear how it goes!
I made it with rice noodles. It was delicious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Martha! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It was so easy and so good. Great flavor and very versatile recipe.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Peggy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Fast, frash, easy. We love it.
I’m so happy that it was a hit, Rich! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I just love this delicious tofu stir fry recipe! I recently cut most meat out of my diet. After trying many wonderful vegetarian dishes, this is one I come back to again and again. The flavors are great and the prep is super easy. Yum!
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed it, Norma! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
My husband and I don’t usually eat tofu and my husband is on the picky side- but this one was a winner! The recipe was so easy to make and delicious! I even subbed garlic and chili powder as it’s what I had on hand and used mixed frozen veggies. It was gone in no time! Definitely will make this one again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Danielle! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I rarely post comments on recipes I find online but this one’s just so simple yet very flavorful!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Madel! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thank you so much for posting this recipe! After years of being too intimated by tofu to try making it, I made this tonight. Super easy and delicious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Amy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Best stir fry I’ve ever made, the flavor is perfect. It’s quickly become one of my go-to dinners.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Ashley! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I absolutely loved this recipe, and the article about Tofu, it was my first time cooking with Tofu, and I love it, so tasty, versatile and good for us and hopefully the planet. I looked at the recipe and cooked it and came back to book mark the recipe because we loved it so much and though I would just leave a review to ?
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Paddy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
One of the first times I’ve cooked with tofu, and this was delicious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Katie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Easy to make, nutritious and everyone in the family loves it. Have made 2x already. Thanks for the recipe.
Whooo hooo! So happy to hear it, thank you!
This was absolutely the most delicious stir fry I have ever made! I don’t gravitate toward leftovers but was eating this cold from the storage container the next day. Looking forward to making it again :)
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Lori! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I made it today with broccoli, beans and carrot omitting spinach! Came out to be a delish !! Although i would want to make it with some kind of liquid as it felt too dry for my palate. Kindly suggest something to make some kind of saucewhich can be added to it
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Nimisha! Thank you for sharing this kind review! You could add your favorite sauce or soy sauce at the end if you prefer.
This was good! I think I overdid the vegetables so had to add extra liquid but I’ll definitely been making it again.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Aylin! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was the first time i read all the content of the article, instead of just jumping right into the recipe! The text is just so well written and fun, even more is enlighten…I had this huge doubt about types of tofu for a while, and you make it all clear in a instant! I love the recipe ❤️ thank you so much! Love from Brasil!
This comment MADE my day, Giulia! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This recipe is delicious and not difficult! I can say that as I had an 18 month old clinging to my leg the entire time and I was still able to make it. I did only have firm tofu as Trader Joe’s was out of the extra firm. It worked, and while it wasn’t as crispy, it was still so so good. We made a cauliflower rice with it and was perfect. Thanks for such a great recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Stephanie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I was SO looking forward to making this but completely forgot to buy sesame oil… Is there any subs? Can I make it without the sesame oil?! I can’t go to the store now its too late :(
Hi Natalee! You can omit the sesame oil if needed. I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
Quickest delicious receipe
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Madhuri! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I love the recipe but it’s a little dry….anyone has any ideas?
Hi Francine! I’m sorry it was dry for you, it would be hard to say why that was without being in the kitchen with you. You could add some of your favorite sauce at the end for the next time.
This is a simple fool proof and tasty way to cook tofu, have made it twice now, and want to reiterate the need to use LOW SODIUM soy sauce or else it comes out too salty.
Note: I prefer to use SUPER firm tofu, a step above extra-firm. It comes pre-pressed, although you can press it even further. I would update this recipe to include super firm as an option, and a preferable option!
HI Alexandra! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Great, easy, and delicious recipe! I made it for dinner and we loved it. I will definitely make it again.
Hi Justine! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
I’m gonna be one of those people… I had everything except extra firm tofu, only firm tofu and I can’t make myself cook with canola oil, only with olive oil. But let me tell you, it turned out sooooooooo good! And it was so quick to prepare. I made mine with baby broccolini. So yum! Thanks!
Hi Liz! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
First time to stir fry tofu; I learned a lot from you and your very helpful hints!
And used the canola
Wish I had had mushrooms in my frig!
Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
For crispy tofu being used in a stir-fry, I coat the tofu with cornstarch before frying it. Along with some soy sauce, this guarantees a crisp and tasty coating on the tofu. I do this first, before I add it to the vegetables/sauces/rice etc.. Only thing I’ve noticed is that if you have some left over and want to eat it for a snack next day, you must heat it up again or it will be tough.
Thanks for the feedback David!
First time to stir fry tofu ~ Yes! Thanks :)
Hi Donna! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Not generally a fan of tofu but I will make this again and again. Such a simple, tasty recipe and I think, quite healthy x
Hi Katrina! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Thank you, this was beautiful although we wanted more sauce with the rice as the soy etc were sucked up by the other ingredients! How would you go about this? Add more soy/oils? Thanks for the recipe and all the tips were so helpful. Maybe noodles might work better for us next time
Hi Carla! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it!! Thank you for sharing this kind review! You could add your favorite sauce or soy sauce at the end if you prefer.
Googled “How to cook tofu in stir-fry” and this article was the first to pop up. Thank you for the advice on squeezing out the liquid! My Indonesian parents cooked tofu when I was a little girl, and I hated it, LOL. But I’m ready to give it a try again as a meatless meal option, and this info about the liquid is GOOD to know before I start! Thank you.
Hope you enjoy it Connie!
Hi Erin,
Could I replace the Tofu with Paneer?
Ever since your Paneer Tikka masala recipe, I’ve been trying to find recipes that incorporate Paneer (it tastes so good!)
Hi Aamina! I haven’t tested it out myself, but you can definitely give it a try! Let me know if you decide to experiment!
I liked the flavors, however the tofu cubes stuck to the pan despite following directions to the letter, making a horrible mess to clean up. I am going to use the cornstarch trick and also try a different frying pan.
Hi Sarah! I’m sorry you had trouble with the recipe, but am so glad you liked the flavors!
I couldn’t make the recipe because of all THE ADS on this web page which made it impossible to view because the screen kept jumping everywhere with different ADS POPPING UP EVERY SECOND!!! I know people want to make money with these ads and I get it, but not to the point that you can’t even read the directions! I’ll give it two stars because what I was able to read before getting too frustrated to continue, sounded like it could’ve been ok.
Hi Mike! I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you! I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster plus a print button so you can have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps!
We love this recipe! My son and I make it together, because I have to disagree with the time allotments, but it’s worth it! I tried a small version of this one Saturday, just to see if it would be worth getting all the ingredients. So, I was eating it and my husband says, “mmm that smells good, is there any more?” I had managed to already have eaten all of it! So, I knew I could make it because he would have been the reluctant one with tofu, though he’d had it before but was never thrilled. We modify it by adding mushrooms, extra garlic, and cashews. We’ve also done half spinach, half broccoli. With two blocks of tofu, we’ve been using a bit more oil and low sodium soy sauce. In our family, the Sambal Oelek is a must have! We add it to the recipe and put out more for serving. This recipe is so rich in both flavor and texture. Make it a few times before you really judge it. You will keep getting better at making the tofu, and that is key.
Hi Pamela! So glad you enjoyed the tofu! Thank you for this kind review!
As always, I tweaked it a bit. Added broccoli, green beans & red cabbage. I didn’t have exact Sauce ingredients, so I used some Mae Ploy in place of the Chilis? Had it over wild rice. Yum!
Ps. I used a touch of coconut oil only because it has the highest smoke point & didn’t want to turn my lovely EVOO rancid with heat. Once the coconut oil melted, I sprinkled a thin layer of buckwheat flour on top before adding the extra firm tofu. This helps me get a better sear 👍🏼
Hi Shel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made this exactly according to the instructions and it was incredible. This will definitely be a staple in my house!
Hi Mandy! So glad you enjoyed the tofu! Thank you for this kind review!
I’m doing a personal cooking challenge and this was one of the first dishes I made. I loved this it! I wrote an article about making this dish for my cooking journey challenge.
Thank you for this tasty, easy recipe!!!
Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Erin,
Your tofu stir fry recipe is great! Thank you for sharing it. This was my first time making tofu stir fry and it turned out delicious! I also made some adjustments: only one block of super firm tofu instead of extra firm (which doesn’t require draining the water, but I did pat it dry and then cut into small pieces), green bell pepper and spinach for the veggies, and no green onions. Otherwise, I followed everything else exactly. I served it with rice noodles, which were bland. I think next time I’m going to try adding the additional 2tbsp soy sauce at the end when I mix the noodles/rice with the tofu veggie mix. One question, what do you think about swapping out the tofu for seitan?
Hi Danielle! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! I haven’t tried it with seitan but it might work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Enjoyed a variation of this with my wife and daughter. I didn’t have any spinach leaves so I used some cabbage and beet leaves. Also used Moroccan paprika for the spicy part (not as much, obviously). Still came out excellent. A recipe is a real winner when you can easily riff off it, and this is one of them!
Hi Steven! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I was looking for something somewhat easy, with ingredients that I already had. This recipe was both, in addition to being very tasty! I only had one block of tofu, but other than that I had everything needed and it took almost no time to make. I’ll definitely make this again.
I served it with some leftover quinoa so it really took no time at all.
Hi Cheryl! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Tried this recipe with a few modifications and it was delicious!! Thanks for sharing! Hadn’t tried tofu this way!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Adriana! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This was delicious! I had some peanut sauce I needed to use and added that in here near the end, it was fabulous!
Hi Wendy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This was the first time my husband and I tried tofu (properly anyway – I had a nibble at a friend’s tofu dish at a Thai restaurant a few weeks prior) so we were more than a little apprehensive. We can be a bit weird about textures. But I followed your instructions so carefully and it turned out really great! So here I am making it again! Using kale instead of spinach this time because why the hell not?!
Hi Holly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Easy, quick, I added snow peas, sliced mushrooms and julienned zucchini along with the spinach, served over white sticky rice. really good.
Hi Eric! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I bought extra firm tofu for my brother who was visiting. He never ate it and I have never cooked it. After he left I followed your recipe with broccoli, peppers, and spinach. It was OUTSTANDING and easy.
Thanks!!!
Hi David, so glad you enjoyed it!
Very good and simple recipe!
Hi Frederique! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
I made the mistake of using frozen spinach. Nope! Totally ruined the taste and straight into the trash it went. Sad waste of good ingredients. Fresh spinach next time for sure.
So sorry to hear that Sarah!
Holy smokes! This is so simple and so dang delicious! The way I used to do stir fry left me with a tasty, but substantially thicker sauce … that also required more time and ingredients. I wasn’t sure if this one could be as good with so few ingredients, but it was even better. I also need more practice cooking the tofu because mine kinda stuck to the wok, but I just scraped it up like when you de-glaze a pan when you’ve browned meat, and those little crispy scrapings ended up being really good. I threw in a bunch of veggies (including spinach) and it was a big hit! I’ll be making this again. Soon!
Hi Allison! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Made it, just started seriously doing plant based. Used leftover Normandy veggies, sliced shiitake mushrooms and 1/2 the spinach. To die for! Will definitely make again! My husband commented “it’s beautiful “. Because of all the colors. So happy I found this recipe. Do you have a cookbook to purchase?? I’ve decided to buy one. And I’ll buy yours based on this recipe. So many recipes are time consuming and ingredients I’ve never heard of. Lol.
Hi Rita! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review! YES! I have a cookbook! Here is the link: https://amzn.to/2SAd7JF Hope you enjoy it!
This was good. I used gai lan, snow peas, red peppers and cremini mushrooms. Served over brown rice. I would have given it 5 stars but felt that it lacked something herbalicious…cilantro or Thai basil perhaps? I’ll try it again and advise!
Hi Tim! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This was my very first time attempting to cook tofu. I cooked mine in a wok for a total of 30 minutes but it needed to be cooked longer (not sure if I had the heat up high enough). I added mushrooms and zucchini to mine and it was absolutely delicious!
Hi Ashton! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Tip:
Freeze tofu first
Thanks for the tip Adam!
Hi Erin,
Just got tofu and will defiinetly make this bunches. i am from LA and build 3 restaurants in CA. So I love to cook. Can’t wait to fix this. How fun and healthy. Will love it! Be looking forward to more recipes. Thanks much….
Enjoy!
This recipe is STUNNING. I love tofu and wanted to add it to my meal prep. This was my first time cooking it at home. Slightly nervous… but it came out so delicious. I added eggplant and snap peas to mine! Thank you so much!
Hi Cheyenne! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi Erin, thank you for sharing your recipe. This is delicious. I would suggest looking up cooking spinach and tofu together as that may change your take on the vegetables you might select for your stir fry!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! You can definitely adjust the type of vegetables you use based on your needs.
So easy and delicious! Right down to the green onions sprinkled on top! Lightly seasoned tofu and yummy ginger bites here and there. And yummy spinach throughout. So good, I loved every bite!
Hi Freedom! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I have tried many tofu recipes but this one is the master. I am saving it.
Two main reasons:
1. Never had a recipe that helps soak up the flavor as much as this does. Plus an amazing colour of the tofu.
2. So easy to make.
Love it.
Hi Judy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This was easy and delicious! Will def make it again. Prep took about 15 minutes. The tofu browned in a couple minutes. I used baby spinach (great) and microwaved some broccoli ahead. Easy and full of flavor. Served over made ahead quinoa. Came together quickly. Squeezed some lime over all to finish. Mwa!
Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Googled, found this, made it tonight, delicious and easy to make!
Love it! Thank you!
Awesome!!!! Haven’t tried it yet but instructions are easy to follow and I love this dish!
Enjoy!
Simple and tasty. I used a teaspoon of Chili Garlic Sauce (Huy Fong Foods) which gave it a nice kick. Served over quinoa.
Yay! Thank you Robin!
This was the best recipe by far. Very easy yet it tasted gourmet!
Yay! Thank you Darcy!
very good tips. Turned ut great
Thank you Jen!
Easy and delicious! I added broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, and carrots (I love my veg). The flavour was amazing! I will definitely make again.
Thanks Donna!
I am very curious as to why the recipe saves the sesame oil for last. Does sesame oil act like the olive oil as well? I haven’t made the recipe yet, but was going to cook the tofu in sesame oil. Figured I’d better ask first! Thanks!!
Hi Melissa, we like to top our stir fry off with a little bit of oil and the sesame oil adds a rich, deep, and lightly toasted flavor. We like to use the other oils listed for actually making the stir fry. Hope you enjoy it!
I’ve made this several times (but substituting chicken or thin sliced sirloin strips). And adding fresh broccoli, carrots, red & green peppers. This recipe has become one of my son’s favs!
So glad you enjoyed it, Kim!
I’m glad I tried it!
Yay! Thank you Evelyn!
Delicious easy recipe. Used avocado oil for stirfry, added green pepper and subbed gochujang paste for chili. Instead of draining tofu, poured boiling salted water over tofu and let it sit 15 minutes(David Tanis). Do you know if the wok you use would work on an induction stove. I’ll try it with a frying pan, but would rather use a wok
So glad you enjoyed it, Carol! According to Google, the best type of wok to use on an induction stove are stainless steel, carbon steel, or cast iron. Hope this helps!
Just cooked this recipe for my picky husband and we both loved it! It is easy to make and so flavorful. It will definitely be a regular dinner at our house!
Great to hear, thank you Justine!
Thank you! I made this tonight but haven’t tasted it yet (out of my IF window), but wanted to thank you for the easy instructions and not having to have too many ingredients. I didn’t have spinach so I subbed green beans. Yum!
Hope you enjoyed it, Alana!
AMAZING. This is my new favorite dish EVER. SO. GOOD
Thank you Holly!
The best tofu recipe I’ve tried, we both loved it. I have replaced the cauliflower rice with roasted squash and that also works really well. Thank you
Yay! So glad to hear, Jackie! Thank you!
This dish is absolutely amazing! I can eat this every week and not get tired of it. Very flavorful and so easy to make. I did add a little shrimp to it for my son and it worked really well although this dish is perfect as is. Thank you for my new favorite dish!
Thanks so much, Trish!
This was so delicious and healthy! I have made it several times and it always turns out amazing. Thank you Erin for sharing the recipe!
Great to hear! Thank you Amanda!
Hi,
Canola oil is out for me.
Would you coconut oil work?
Hi Rosie, it should work! Let us know how it goes!
Made this multiple times ! A real winner in our house
Great to hear! Thank you E!
I made this as I needed a quick lunch for my younger sister. It was absolutely incredible! It was so flavorful and incredibly easy to put together! Thank you so much!
Yay! So glad to hear, Tamara! Thank you!
I have a family member who thinks protein has to be added to every meal and tofu isn’t adequate for their bodily needs. Could I add eggs to this somehow to round out the protein? What stage to add or any other additional add on proteins for meat lovers tips could you give me…?
Hi Lexy, I would do it similar to how we make our fried rice. https://www.wellplated.com/homemade-fried-rice/ We cook the eggs first, remove from the pan, then stir it in at the end if you want it to be scrambled.