Spring Vegetable Stir Fry Tofu (Printable version)
Crisp spring vegetables and golden tofu tossed in a light, flavorful sauce for a quick meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein
01 - 400 g (14 oz) firm tofu, drained and cubed
02 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
03 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
05 - 1 cup asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
06 - 1 medium carrot, sliced thin on the diagonal
07 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
08 - 2 spring onions, sliced
09 - 1 cup baby spinach leaves
→ Sauce
10 - 3 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
11 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
12 - 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
13 - 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
16 - 2 tbsp water
17 - 1 tsp cornstarch
→ Garnish
18 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
19 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How to Prepare:
01 - Pat tofu dry with paper towels. Toss cubes with 2 tbsp cornstarch to coat lightly.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides (6–8 minutes). Remove tofu and set aside.
03 - In the same pan, add snap peas, asparagus, carrot, and bell pepper. Stir fry for 3–4 minutes until just tender but still crisp.
04 - Add spring onions and spinach; stir fry for another 1–2 minutes until spinach wilts.
05 - Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Pour sauce into the pan, stirring to coat the vegetables. Cook for 1 minute, until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Return tofu to the pan, toss gently to combine, and heat through for 1 minute.
07 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The cornstarch coating on tofu creates this incredible crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after tossing with sauce
- Spring vegetables need almost nothing to shine and this recipe lets their natural sweetness do all the heavy lifting
02 -
- Hot wok cold oil is a myth you actually want the oil properly hot before adding ingredients
- Overcrowding the pan steams everything instead of stir frying so work in batches if needed
03 -
- Prep all ingredients before you start cooking once stir fry begins it moves fast
- Let your pan get properly hot between additions for better browning