Spring Vegetable Tofu Stir Fry (Printable Version)
Bright and nutritious stir fry combining crisp spring vegetables with golden tofu and a tangy glaze.
# What You'll Need:
→ Tofu
01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cubed
02 - 1 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
05 - 1 cup asparagus, sliced diagonally
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
07 - 1 cup baby carrots, sliced
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets
09 - 2 spring onions, sliced
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
→ Sauce
12 - 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
13 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
14 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
15 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
16 - 1 tsp cornstarch dissolved in 2 tbsp water
17 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
19 - Fresh cilantro or basil, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Pat tofu dry and toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook until golden and crispy on all sides, about 7-8 minutes. Remove tofu and set aside.
03 - Add remaining 1 tbsp oil to the pan. Add garlic and ginger, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add all vegetables to the pan. Stir fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, dissolved cornstarch, and red pepper flakes.
06 - Return tofu to the pan. Pour sauce over vegetables and tofu. Stir well and cook for 2 more minutes, until sauce thickens and everything is coated.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately, with steamed rice or noodles if preferred.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The tofu gets impossibly crispy without deep frying, a trick I stumbled upon after years of sad, soggy cubes
- Every vegetable stays vibrant and crisp tender, never mushy, thanks to the high heat and quick cooking time
02 -
- A cold wok or crowded pan will steam your tofu instead of crisp it, so cook in batches if needed
- Have all ingredients prepped and measured before you turn on the heat, stir frying waits for no one
03 -
- Extra firm tofu holds its shape better and crisps more reliably than medium or soft varieties
- A splash of lime juice right before serving brightens everything and makes flavors pop