Name: Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce
Ingredients: Extra Firm Tofu (1 block, about 14-16 oz): The star of the show! Extra firm tofu is crucial for stir-frying as it holds its shape well and gets beautifully crispy. Make sure to press it well to remove excess water for optimal texture.; Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): This is your secret weapon for crispy tofu. Cornstarch coats the tofu and helps it achieve that golden-brown, slightly crunchy exterior when stir-fried.; Vegetable Oil (3 tablespoons, divided): We’ll use vegetable oil for stir-frying the tofu and the aromatics. Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil.; Garlic (6-8 cloves, minced): Garlic is the heart and soul of this sauce! Freshly minced garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic flavor that defines garlic sauce. Don’t be shy with the garlic – it’s what makes this dish so delicious.; Ginger (1 tablespoon, minced): Fresh ginger adds a warm, zesty, and slightly spicy note that complements the garlic perfectly and brightens the overall flavor profile.; Soy Sauce (1/4 cup, low sodium): Soy sauce provides the savory, umami base for the sauce. Low sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness and add more if needed, without making the dish overly salty.; Oyster Sauce (2 tablespoons, optional): Oyster sauce adds a depth of flavor and subtle sweetness that elevates the garlic sauce. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can substitute with hoisin sauce or mushroom sauce for a similar umami richness.; Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Rice vinegar introduces a tangy, slightly sweet acidity that balances the savory and sweet notes in the sauce, adding complexity and brightness.; Brown Sugar (1 tablespoon, packed): Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the savory and tangy elements. You can adjust the amount to your preference.; Sesame Oil (1 teaspoon): Sesame oil provides a nutty, aromatic finish to the sauce and the dish as a whole. A little goes a long way, so just a teaspoon is enough to add a wonderful fragrance.; Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste, optional): For a touch of heat, red pepper flakes add a subtle spicy kick that balances the garlic and ginger flavors. Adjust the amount to your spice preference or omit if you prefer a milder dish.; Green Onions (2-3, sliced, for garnish): Green onions add a fresh, mild oniony flavor and a pop of color as a garnish. They brighten up the dish and add a final touch of freshness.; Sesame Seeds (1 teaspoon, for garnish, optional): Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal as a garnish. They complement the sesame oil in the sauce and add a nice textural element.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to create this delectable Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce. We’ll break down each component and why it’s essential for achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture.

Extra Firm Tofu (1 block, about 14-16 oz): The star of the show! Extra firm tofu is crucial for stir-frying as it holds its shape well and gets beautifully crispy. Make sure to press it well to remove excess water for optimal texture.
Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): This is your secret weapon for crispy tofu. Cornstarch coats the tofu and helps it achieve that golden-brown, slightly crunchy exterior when stir-fried.
Vegetable Oil (3 tablespoons, divided): We’ll use vegetable oil for stir-frying the tofu and the aromatics. Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola, peanut, or grapeseed oil.
Garlic (6-8 cloves, minced): Garlic is the heart and soul of this sauce! Freshly minced garlic is essential for that pungent, aromatic flavor that defines garlic sauce. Don’t be shy with the garlic – it’s what makes this dish so delicious.
Ginger (1 tablespoon, minced): Fresh ginger adds a warm, zesty, and slightly spicy note that complements the garlic perfectly and brightens the overall flavor profile.
Soy Sauce (1/4 cup, low sodium): Soy sauce provides the savory, umami base for the sauce. Low sodium soy sauce allows you to control the saltiness and add more if needed, without making the dish overly salty.
Oyster Sauce (2 tablespoons, optional): Oyster sauce adds a depth of flavor and subtle sweetness that elevates the garlic sauce. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you can substitute with hoisin sauce or mushroom sauce for a similar umami richness.
Rice Vinegar (2 tablespoons): Rice vinegar introduces a tangy, slightly sweet acidity that balances the savory and sweet notes in the sauce, adding complexity and brightness.
Brown Sugar (1 tablespoon, packed): Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the sauce, complementing the savory and tangy elements. You can adjust the amount to your preference.
Sesame Oil (1 teaspoon): Sesame oil provides a nutty, aromatic finish to the sauce and the dish as a whole. A little goes a long way, so just a teaspoon is enough to add a wonderful fragrance.
Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste, optional): For a touch of heat, red pepper flakes add a subtle spicy kick that balances the garlic and ginger flavors. Adjust the amount to your spice preference or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
Green Onions (2-3, sliced, for garnish): Green onions add a fresh, mild oniony flavor and a pop of color as a garnish. They brighten up the dish and add a final touch of freshness.
Sesame Seeds (1 teaspoon, for garnish, optional): Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and visual appeal as a garnish. They complement the sesame oil in the sauce and add a nice textural element.

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Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfectly crispy Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce every time. We’ll break down each step to ensure success, even for beginner cooks.

Step 1: Prepare the Tofu

Press the Tofu: This is a crucial step for crispy tofu! Remove the tofu from its packaging and drain off the excess water. Wrap the tofu block in several layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place something heavy on top of the tofu, like a stack of books or a heavy pan. Press for at least 30 minutes to remove as much water as possible. The drier the tofu, the crispier it will get.
Cut the Tofu: Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes, about 1-inch in size. You can also cut it into triangles or rectangles if you prefer. Uniformly sized pieces will cook more evenly.
Coat with Cornstarch: In a medium bowl, gently toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch until they are evenly coated. Make sure each piece is lightly dusted with cornstarch. This coating will create a crispy crust when stir-fried.

Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Sauce

Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce (or hoisin/mushroom sauce), rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. You can add a pinch of salt if needed, or a little more brown sugar for sweetness.
Set Aside: Keep the sauce mixture aside, ready to pour over the stir-fried tofu and aromatics later.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Tofu

Heat Oil in a Wok or Large Skillet: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. The pan should be hot before you add the tofu. You’ll know it’s ready when a drop of water sizzles immediately.
Stir-Fry Tofu until Golden Brown and Crispy: Add the cornstarch-coated tofu cubes to the hot pan in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will steam the tofu instead of frying it. If necessary, cook in batches. Stir-fry the tofu for about 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. You want a nice crust to form.
Remove Tofu and Set Aside: Once the tofu is crispy, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain any excess oil from the pan if needed.

Step 4: Stir-Fry Aromatics and Finish the Dish

Add Remaining Oil and Aromatics: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same wok or skillet. Heat over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and red pepper flakes (if using).
Sauté Aromatics until Fragrant: Sauté the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic; it should be fragrant and lightly golden, not brown.
Pour in Garlic Sauce: Pour the prepared garlic sauce into the wok or skillet. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 1-2 minutes, until it slightly thickens. The sauce should become glossy and slightly reduced.
Add Tofu and Toss to Coat: Add the crispy stir-fried tofu back into the wok or skillet with the garlic sauce. Gently toss to coat the tofu evenly with the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to cling to the tofu and heat through.
Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds (if using). Serve immediately over rice, noodles, or your choice of sides. Enjoy your delicious Stir-Fried Tofu with Garlic Sauce!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Protein: 25 grams