Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce
By Jessica Hylton -
- Updated
This Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce is perfect for a weeknight meal! It’s great for meal prep and a crowd pleaser!
I want to talk a little about evolution. Oh, I mean like, for me and my food evolution, of course. The first time that I made stir fry on this blog was back in 2015 and it was this Asian Tofu Stir Fry with Honey Sriracha Sauce. There’s nothing wrong with the recipe – it tasted great at the time – but it’s fascinating to me just how much as changed since them. I was a year old vegetarian, still figuring out vegetarian proteins. Taking the blog seriously but also just getting into my groove. Not yet as evolved photography wise, or styling wise either.
Instead of looking back at that photos and cringing, I’m grateful for so much growth. That I can see in active ways that all the hours are paying off. That I can see that I have grown as a cook, as a photographer and as a food stylist. Yet still, I’m the same Jess – so excited to share a new recipe with you.
Since we’re comparing – I want to point out that the major difference in these recipes is the tofu and cooking methods to maximise flavours. Back then I had no idea what kind of tofu to use and grabbed silken tofu. I just assumed tofu had this weird texture, not knowing no you’re literally buying the wrong one. So firstly, I have the right kind – firm tofu, in a bag with water, simple as that.
Now? I also own a tofu press that makes sense since I have the right tofu and it actually presses, doesn’t just crumble! P.S. if you’ve never pressed tofu I’ll include instructions down below. I wanted to give this Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry some divine texture and so I pan fried the tofu on each side. It takes a bit of time, but is really worth it. Alternatively you could just bake these to achieve the same texture (but let’s be real pan-frying will always be the better texture).
Other changes – the way I prepped the veggies. I steamed the broccoli for a minute or so, so that it would turn a beautiful bright green colour. I also grated the carrots, since they turned into little carrot noodles in this basically (which was so beautiful). Then of course – there’s that sauce.
This Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry is sautéed in a Sweet Ginger Sauce that is a variation of my favourite maple ginger sauce. Instead of powdered it’s all cut up seasonings, which adds this boost of flavour to it. It also gives it that magnificent glazed look that your favourite takeout has. A total win-win.
Friends, I hope you enjoy this evolved Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce. I guaranteed that it’ll be a hit, and your family will love it. Feel free to switch up the veggies based on what you have on hand – and enjoy!
Tofu Stir Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce
This Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry in Sweet Ginger Sauce is perfect for a weeknight meal! It's great for meal prep and a crowd pleaser!
Ingredients
Sweet Ginger Sauce
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 3-4 cloves of finely minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
Stir Fry
- 1 lb block of firm tofu, pressed (454g)
- pinch sea salt and pepper
- 2 teaspoons oil
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 heads broccoli (168g) large stem removed and chopped
- 1 large carrot peeled and julienned
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch + 2 teaspoon water for a cornstarch slurry
Instructions
Instructions
Sweet Ginger Sauce
- Stir all the sauce ingredients together and set aside.
Stir Fry + Putting It All Together
- In a pan over medium high, add both oils. When hot add in the tofu and 2 tablespoons of the sauce and crisp on each side for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until all sides are crisped up and browned. This helps to infuse the tofu with some sauce while it is cooking. Season with a sprinkle of sea salt and ground black pepper. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the broccoli and carrot and toss for about 2 minutes heat. Then add in a few tablespoons of water and cover pan. Allow to steam for about 2 minutes. Remove cover, lower heat to medium and add in the tofu and the sauce. Pour in the cornstarch slurry here. Stir to coat everything in the sauce, then and allow to cook for another 2-3 minutes in the sauce.
- Remove from heat and top with extra sesame seeds and chopped scallions. Serve and enjoy!
NOTES
Notes
Here’s my favourite way to press tofu! Wrap the tofu in some paper towels, then with a kitchen towel around that. That way the kitchen towel is much easier to wash and doesn’t have pieces of tofu in it. Wrap it like a blanket around a baby. The tofu is now your food baby. Put a heavy pan on top, like a cast iron skillet. Then put two books in or on top of that. Balance it so it doesn’t fall off, and leave it to be pressed for about 30 minutes. The tofu should be smaller, and the kitchen towel should be wet with the water from the tofu. Now you can proceed and use this. This makes tofu absorb flavours so much better, and gives it an amazing texture too.
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 16.1g | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 9.4g | Fiber: 2.2g | Sugar: 10g
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
by Jessica
This stir fry is so yummy. I am so in love with this sauce, the flavors were perfection! It will definitely be my go to stir fry sauce from now on.
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Camille! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
Made this for dinner tonight and YUM! The sauce is absolutely delicious! I added in some other veggies that I had on hand – bell pepper and mushroom – and it all melded together beautifully. No leftovers tonight!
Jessica, this was SO GOOD. This is now the second time I’ve made this since discovering your recipe last week! I used ground ginger and garlic powder in the sauce, so I can only imagine how amazing it would be if I used fresh!
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Jen! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
Tried this out recently and it turned out amazing! Filling but also nice on a summer day, loved the flavors. And the note on pressing tofu, so helpful, for once I didn’t make a mess of the tofu!
So yummy!! Had some bok choy that needed to be used up so decided to search the blog for a stir fry recipe! Copied the recipe almost exactly, but just subbed in the bok choy where the broccoli would be. Quick, easy and delicious!
I’m a lot of things, but chef/cook is something I’ve yet to master. Enter Jessica in the kitchen! This dish was so freaking easy and super delicious! I made it on a Friday night when I typically order takeout my 3 favorite takeout cuisines are: Chinese/Thai/Burmese, and this hit the spot. Took about 45 minutes to get everything together and it was smackin! Yum, thanks so much for sharing your recipes!
Wow! We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Malia! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
Quick and easy weeknight dinner! Added some red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little kick 🙂 Will be adding to our rotation for sure and tastes great with any veggies on hand!
We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Jenna! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment! I love spice so I fully endorse adding the red pepper flakes!
Can you believe I’ve been vegetarian my whole life and never made stir fry from scratch before?! From a pre-packaged kit, sure but NEVER again! This was so good i might make it again tomorrow now that I know what I’m actually doing having also never fried tofu before. Thank you for such a simple and yet delicious recipe!
Cheers to first times!!! We’re so happy that you enjoyed this recipe Krisha! Thank you so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment!
So sorry – I meant air FRYING 🙈 as in can I cook the tofu initially in the air fryer?
Hi Justine,
Yes you definitely can!
Just wondering if air drying the tofu before adding it to the sauce is an option here? (Just out of laziness as I will have a toddler underfoot) Would that give crispy-ness? Thanks and love your recipes!
Hi we’ve never tried that but wrapping it in a paper towel or cloth when air drying sounds like a possible option. Thanks so much for reading.