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    Home » Gluten free

    Tofu Stir Fry Recipe (Chinese)

    Updated: Feb 28, 2020 by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    tofu stir fry in a white bowl with chopsticks

    Better than Chinese take out! this Tofu Stir Fry with veggies and Sesame Soy Ginger Sauce will blow your mind! Serve with rice for an easy 30 minute vegan dinner. Gluten free.

    tofu stir fry in a white bowl with rice

    I love a good stir fry and this quick and easy tofu stir fry recipe quickly became one of my family favourites. Mouth watering crispy tofu, perfectly cooked veggies and the most delicious asian sauce . Authentic Chinese flavours, all together in one umami flavoured bowl of protein packed goodness!

    I typically serve this Stir Fry over rice but feel free to serve it over your favourite Chow Mein noodles, or check out my Chinese Veggie Chow Mein recipe. You’ll love it!

    tofu stir fry served over rice in a white bowl

    For the stir fried veggies in this recipe I used mushrooms, sliced red peppers, sugar snap peas, garlic and green onions, simple but a total flavour bomb with the tofu and sauce. Feel free to mix it up and swap out for your favourite veggies if you like.

    What vegetables go in a stir fry?

    • Cauliflower
    • Broccoli
    • Sugar Snap peas
    • Baby corn
    • Bell peppers
    • Red or yellow Onions
    • Green onions
    • Edamame
    • Zucchini
    • Carrots
    • Asparagus
    • Bok Choy
    • Green beans
    • celery
    • Mushrooms
    • Spinach
    • Cabbage
    • Bean sprouts
    • Ginger
    • Garlic

    If you are swapping out (or adding) some different veggies for this stir fry. Vegetables like Carrots, broccoli and cauliflower require a longer cooking time so I suggest steaming them first before adding to the stir fry.

    Ingredients for the Sesame Soy Ginger stir fry sauce:

    The sauce is what makes a stir fry shine! And boy oh boy is this asian sauce good!! It doubles as the best tofu marinade too, and it takes minutes to whisk together.
    Made with Lite Tamari, sesame oil, fresh grated ginger, rice wine vinegar, maple syrup (or sugar) and Chili garlic sauce. It’s a winner!

    How to Make The Best Tofu Stir Fry:

    1. Start by pressing the tofu: Slice the tofu lengthwise into 3 slabs and place them in a row on some paper towel. Place more paper towel on top and add some weight to the top. (I usually use my cast iron frying pan). Press for 15 minutes (or when you’ve finished prepping veggies and sauce). Now cut the tofu into approximately 3/4 inch strips and then bite size cubes.
    2. While tofu is pressing, prep your veggies and whisk the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set them aside.
    3. Preheat a large non stick skillet to medium high heat and add the oil, tofu and a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry the tofu for 3 minutes on one side and then flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. It will develop a nice crispy crust.
    4. Add the mushrooms, snap peas and red peppers and stir fry for 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft but the peppers and peas still have a bite to them. If at any time you find the pan to hot, turn down to medium heat and add a drizzle of oil if you feel it needs it. (I do not add any extra oil to mine)
    5. Stir in the garlic and green onions and remove the pan from the heat.
    6. Now add the stir fry sauce and toss everything together. (the residual heat from the pan will cook and thicken the sauce instantly) see step by step photos below
    7. Serve with rice, garnish with some toasted sesame seeds and Enjoy!! For full recipe and instructions, see recipe card below.

    tofu being pressed then cut into cubes

    cut up veggies and sauce for tofu stir fry

    four picture collage of tofu stir fry being cooked in a skillet

    tofu stir fry in a skillet garnished with sesame seeds

    Ok let's make us a Tofu Stir Fry, it's:

    gluten free

    full of veggies

    full of chewy, moist and flavourful tofu

    easy

    a perfect vegan dinner idea

    protein packed

    healthy and delicious

    umami good!

    kid friendly

    Enjoy guys! Happy day to you? feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

    Here are some more tasty Asian recipes for you: 

    Sweet & Spicy Garlic Noodles
    Chinese Veggie Chow Mein (Authentic Flavours)
    20 Minute Vegan Lettuce Wraps
    The Best Vegan Pad Thai (Tamarind)

    Print
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    tofu stir fry in a white bowl with rice

    Tofu Stir Fry Recipe (Chinese)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Better than Chinese take out! this Tofu Stir Fry with veggies and Sesame Soy Ginger Sauce will blow your mind! Serve with rice for an easy 30 minute vegan dinner. Gluten free.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1- 350 gram package Extra firm tofu (in water)
    • 1 tablespoon oil, I use grapeseed oil
    • 2 cups cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
    • 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
    • 1 cup sugar snap peas, strings removed
    • 1/3 cup green onions, chopped
    • 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped small

    Sesame Soy Ginger Sauce Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup Lite Tamari or sodium reduced soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or sugar or sweetener of choice
    • 1 teaspoon Chili garlic sauce
    • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, unseasoned
    • 2-3 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and grated ( I use a box grater)
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    • 3 tablespoons water

    For Serving:

    • cooked rice

    Instructions

    How to Make a Tofu Stir Fry:

    1. Start by pressing the tofu: Slice the tofu lengthwise into 3 slabs and place them in a row on some paper towel. Place more paper towel on top and add some weight to the top. (I usually use my cast iron frying pan). Press for 15 minutes (or when you’ve finished prepping veggies and sauce). Now cut the tofu into approximately 3/4 inch strips and then bite size cubes.
    2. While tofu is pressing, prep your veggies and whisk the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set them aside.
    3. Preheat a large non stick skillet to medium high heat and add the oil, tofu and a pinch of salt and pepper. Fry the tofu for 3 minutes on one side and then flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. It will develop a nice crispy crust.
    4. Add the mushrooms, snap peas and red peppers and stir fry for 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft but the peppers and peas still have a bite to them. If at any time you find the pan to hot, turn down to medium heat and add a drizzle of oil if you feel it needs it. (I do not add any extra oil to mine)
    5. Stir in the garlic and green onions and remove the pan from the heat.
    6. Now add the stir fry sauce and toss everything together. (the residual heat from the pan will cook and thicken the sauce instantly) see step by step photos above?
    7. Serve with rice, garnish with some toasted sesame seeds and Enjoy!!

    Notes

    What vegetables go in a stir fry?

    • Cauliflower
    • Broccoli
    • Sugar Snap peas
    • Baby corn
    • Bell peppers
    • Red or yellow Onions
    • Green onions
    • Edamame
    • Zucchini
    • Carrots
    • Asparagus
    • Bok Choy
    • Green beans
    • celery
    • Mushrooms
    • Spinach
    • Cabbage
    • Bean sprouts
    • Ginger
    • Garlic

    If you are swapping out (or adding) some different veggies for this stir fry. Vegetables like Carrots, broccoli and cauliflower require a longer cooking time so I suggest steaming them first before adding to the stir fry.

    If you would like it spicier add more Chili garlic sauce. Sweeter- add little more maple syrup. Bit more tang- add a wee bit more vinegar!?

    Nutritional chart does not include cooked rice

    • Prep Time: 15 Minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 Minutes
    • Category: Mains, Gluten Free,
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Asian/Chinese

    Keywords: best tofu stir fry, tofu stir fry, soy ginger sauce. easy, best, asian, Chinese, take out, with rice, sesame ginger sauce, tasty,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

     

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    Comments

    1. Alicia

      June 18, 2020 at 2:21 am

      I have made this at least a dozen times! I use whatever veggies are about to go bad. Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, bell pepper. They all work.
      However, 1 tsp of cornstarch means a really runny sauce. I use 1 TBSP instead and the sauce gets nice and thick!
      I also add a splash or two of fish sauce to the sauce. Not vegan, but tasty for those who don't follow a vegan diet.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 18, 2020 at 1:51 pm

        Hi Alicia! Glad you're enjoying the stir fry! Thanks so much for your feedback!

        Reply
    2. Franny

      April 01, 2020 at 5:47 pm

      This was the best tofu stir fry and quite easy! my kids even enjoyed it and they are not huge tofu fans. I added some left over carrots and omitted the peas as I didn't have any. Delicious vegan meal, thank you!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        April 01, 2020 at 7:45 pm

        So nice to hear you and your family enjoyed the stir fry! Thank you so much for your comment Franny

        Reply

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