Bowls
Sesame Tofu Vegetable Stir-Fry
Crisp-edged tofu and bright vegetables meet a savory sesame-ginger sauce over rice, with the tofu browned before any sauce touches it.
Inspired by Sesame-ginger tofu rice bowls
Prep
20 min
Cook
20 min
Serves
4 servings
Difficulty
Easy
Pantry match
Uses the current servings and temporary recipe changes.
Missing 17 ingredients
- • 1 cup dry jasmine rice
- • 1 3/4 cups water
- • 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and pressed
- • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided
- • 3 cups broccoli florets
- • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- • 1 cup snap peas
- • 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
- • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- • 2 teaspoons grated ginger
- • 1 garlic clove, grated
- • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- • 2 scallions, sliced
View ingredient-by-ingredient match
- 1 cup dry jasmine riceMissing
- 1 3/4 cups waterMissing
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, drained and pressedMissing
- 1 tablespoon cornstarchMissing
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil, dividedMissing
- 3 cups broccoli floretsMissing
- 1 red bell pepper, slicedMissing
- 1 cup snap peasMissing
- 1 large carrot, thinly slicedMissing
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauceMissing
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegarMissing
- 1 tablespoon maple syrupMissing
- 2 teaspoons grated gingerMissing
- 1 garlic clove, gratedMissing
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oilMissing
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seedsMissing
- 2 scallions, slicedMissing
Cook smarter
- Read the full method once before starting.
- Prep ingredients first for a smoother cook.
- Use the print button for a cleaner kitchen copy.
Guided cooking
Cook one clear step at a time
Your place is saved on this device.
Method
Recipe notes
Pressing and drying tofu, then browning it before saucing, is the difference between crisp edges and soggy cubes.
Planning, storage, and serving
Storage and reheating
Refrigerate cooked rice and stir-fry promptly in shallow containers for up to 4 days. Reheat until steaming hot; the tofu will soften but remain flavorful.
Make-ahead tips
Press tofu and slice vegetables a day ahead. Mix sauce separately; cook rice and stir-fry close to serving if crisp texture matters.
What to serve with it
- - Cucumber salad
- - Steamed edamame
- - Lime wedges
Equipment needed
- - Saucepan with lid
- - Wide nonstick skillet
- - Clean kitchen towel for pressing tofu
Difficulty explained
A hot pan and two short cooking stages keep the tofu browned and the vegetables crisp.
Recipe calculator
Nutrition facts
Updating nutrition…
Alternatives
Apply a reviewed substitution to this temporary working copy. The published recipe stays unchanged.
Browse reviewed options
Tamari
Use tamari in the same amount for a similar savory profile.
Plain tempeh
Use an equal weight of plain tempeh, crumble it finely, and simmer it in the recipe's sauce until tender.
Arrowroot starch
Use an equal amount of arrowroot starch for thickening or crisp coatings.
Type the ingredient you're missing — we'll find what you can use instead.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- Wet tofu will steam instead of forming a crust.
- Adding sauce before vegetables are nearly cooked makes them limp.
- Crowding a small pan cools it down; cook tofu in two batches if needed.
Nutrition Context
- Tofu contributes plant protein, while vegetables add color and fiber; rice supplies most of the carbohydrate.
- Soy sauce and tofu brands affect the approximate sodium and protein totals.
FAQ
Can I use silken tofu?
No. Extra-firm tofu is needed for pressing and browning in this method.
Why did my tofu stick?
Use a well-heated nonstick pan and leave each side undisturbed until a crust releases naturally.
Do I have to press tofu?
Pressing removes excess moisture and makes browning much more reliable.
Can I change the vegetables?
Yes. Keep pieces similarly sized and add slower-cooking vegetables before tender ones.
Can I make the sauce ahead?
Yes. Whisk it a day ahead and refrigerate; stir again before adding it to the skillet.
What sides pair best with this dish?
Good pairings include Cucumber salad; Steamed edamame; Lime wedges. Choose one or two based on how substantial you want the meal to be.