This light and lively Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry is easy to whip up on a whim. Crispy seared tofu and verdant green broccoli tossed in a zingy ginger sauce, it’s a tasty choice when you want a change of pace from the usual, without having to make an extra trip to the grocery store.
Tofu and I have come a long, long way.
Or should I say—I have come a long way, after learning how to properly cook tofu.
Tofu has a lot going for it.
- It’s a phenomenal source of plant-based protein. Tofu contains all the necessary amino acids for your body.
- It’s inexpensive, especially compared to meat.
- It has a long shelf life. Keep a package in your refrigerator or freezer, and you can pull together a nutritious dinner on demand.
Tofu can also be bland, mushy, and generally live up to its ill repute as being a flavorless blob to be either avoided or endured only for the sake of being healthy.
NOT SO with this broccoli tofu stir fry!
Cooked properly, tofu becomes crispy outside, chewy and “meaty” inside, and acts like a sponge, drinking up all of the yummy flavors in the recipe.
Tip!
For the full lo-down on making a stellar stir fry with tofu, check out my gold-standard Tofu Stir Fry, and this post on Crispy Tofu.
We are waking up to a new season, and this healthy broccoli tofu stir fry is just the meal for the moment.
- The recipe begins with core Asian pantry staples, like hoisin and soy sauce (keep this ingredient on hand, and dinner like Homemade Fried Rice is only 15 minutes away).
- Then, for an energetic spring twist, it ups the ginger to give the sauce a burst of freshness that brings the tofu and vegetables to life.
5 Star Review
“I love a simple stir fry with few ingredients and major flavor!”
— Georgia —
How to Make Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
Broccoli is an especially nice vegetable for stir fries, because it quickly cooks to a pleasant crisp-tender texture, and its florets do a marvelous job trapping the scrumptious stir fry sauce.
Hence the popularity of broccoli-based stir fries like Crockpot Beef and Broccoli and Healthy Beef and Broccoli.
That said, you can absolutely make this stir fry using any mix of veggies (tofu broccoli mushroom stir fry and tofu broccoli carrot stir fry are two favorites).
Or, for an even faster dinner, use a bag of mixed frozen stir fry vegetables.
The Ingredients
- Tofu. Don’t let prior experience scare you off! In this recipe, the tofu is delightfully crispy, tender, and bursting with flavor from the sauce.
- Cornstarch. Helps create a crust-like exterior on the tofu and thickens the sauce.
- Soy Sauce. For that beloved, umami bomb of flavor.
- Hoisin. A thick and luscious blend of salty and sweet flavors that helps create the perfect sauce. Making tofu broccoli stir fry with hoisin gives you big flavor bang in a single ingredient.
- Ginger. A key flavor ingredient for our sauce. It adds zip and warmth.
- Rice Vinegar. Adds a touch of acidity and sweetness.
- Sesame Oil. Nutty and delicious in Asian recipes like this one.
- Broccoli. Crisp-tender broccoli pairs exceptionally well with the tofu and sauce. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins (like vitamin C).
- Sesame Seeds. A final addition that brings a hint of nuttiness and enhances presentation.
Tip!
For a broccoli tofu stir fry with an Indian twist, try adding broccoli to this Tofu Curry.
The Directions
- Drain, dry, and cut the tofu.
- Toss the tofu cubes with cornstarch.
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together.
- Cook the broccoli in a skillet with oil, salt, and pepper. Remove it to a plate.
- Cook the tofu in the same skillet with oil.
- Stir the broccoli and sauce into the tofu. Add the sesame oil and green onion. Top with sesame seeds. DIG IN!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Gently reheat the stir fry in a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Up to 1 day in advance, cut the broccoli. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to finish the recipe.
Leftover Ideas
Wrap leftover stir fry into lettuce leaves for a spin on my tofu Lettuce Wraps.
What to Serve with Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
Serve broccoli tofu stir fry with noodles or steamed brown rice, and you have a healthy main dish that’s ready in a snap. Or, try one of these stellar sides:
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Wok. I love using a wok for stir fries, but you could also use a large non-stick pan.
- Liquid Measuring Cups. Ideal for both measuring and mixing the sauce ingredients.
- Small Whisk. This whisk is the perfect size.
Non-Stick Wok
This high-quality wok is made of heavy-duty materials, can go in the oven, and comes with its own lid.
Whether you’re seeking meatless meal inspiration, meal-prep-friendly recipes that taste great leftover, or it’s 6 o’clock and you need dinner NOW, I hope this broccoli tofu stir fry hits the spot for you, the way it does for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
While this recipe was designed to use tofu, I think you could swap in chicken, pork, or beef. The cook times will vary for these different proteins, however, so be sure to check them for doneness before serving.
You could also try one of my other delicious Asian-inspired recipes featuring broccoli like Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli, Sheet Pan Shrimp and Broccoli, or Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli.
Yes, this recipe is vegan as written. However, certain hoisin sauce brands may contain animal products. If you want to ensure this recipe is vegan, check the label of your hoisin sauce to ensure it is vegan. You could also try making this as a broccoli tofu stir fry with peanut butter instead. The peanut butter would alter the flavor of the recipe, but it would be delish!
Extra-firm tofu contains the least amount of liquid, making it the best for stir fries. It will yield crispy (not soggy) tofu. If you absolutely cannot find extra-firm, you could try swapping in firm tofu, though know that it will crumble as it cooks.
Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 (12- to 14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu
- 2 tablespoons (plus 1 teaspoon) cornstarch divided
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons hoisin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic about 3 cloves
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 3 tablespoons canola oil or grapeseed oil or another neutral oil, divided, plus additional as needed
- 2 broccoli crowns cut into florets (about 5 to 6 cups)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 3 chopped green onions about 1/2 cup
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- Cooked brown rice or quinoa for serving
Instructions
- Drain the tofu and pat very dry with a paper towel, changing the towels a few times as needed. Press on the tofu a little to squeeze some water out, but not so hard you cause it to crumble. Cut the block in half right through the middle (as if you were cutting a burger bun), then cut into 1-inch cubes. Place on a large plate or a rimmed baking sheet and lightly pat dry once more.
- Sprinkle the cubes slowly and evenly with 2 tablespoons of the cornstarch (I like to scatter on 1/2 tablespoon at a time and toss the cubes halfway through). With your fingers, gently toss to coat the tofu as evenly as you can.
- In a small mixing bowl or liquid measuring cup, stir together the soy sauce, water, hoisin, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and remaining 1 teaspoon cornstarch.
- In a large nonstick skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the broccoli, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- Add the 2 tablespoons remaining oil over medium-high. Add the tofu in a single layer and cook, tossing every 3 or so minutes, until it is golden on all sides. The tofu may stick together and some bits might crumble a bit. Use a sturdy spoon to break stuck pieces apart and don't worry about any crumbles. They taste extra delicious.
- Return the broccoli to the pan and pour the sauce over the top. Stir to combine, then let cook until the broccoli is heated through and the sauce has thickened a little, about 1 minute. Stir in the sesame oil and green onion. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Enjoy hot with rice.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently reheat stir fry in a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition
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Another recipe to make me rethink my relationship with tofu! I love stir frys!!!
Thank you! I will be putting this on my dinner list for next week!
YAY! Thanks for the inspiration. I had so much fun doing this with you guys in mind. Bon appetite!
What an awesome recipe! I love the bright geen color!! Need to make this soon!
Thanks so much Tieghan! Green is glorious!
I need to jump on the tofu bandwagon. I just don’t think I’ve found the right consistency to make me forget its tofu. I’m totally willing to give it another shot if it looks like this!
Consistency is everything Megan! This might just do it for you :) PS. Thought of you this morning with a bad pun–this tofu is “easy PEASy” For some reason, I thought you’d appreciate that.
You can’t. YES all the way for this one Nicole :-)
Thanks so much Megan. I must have made this for you and not even realized it!
Love this recipe! Simple, healthy and delicious. Definitely want to give this a try. You are definitely inspiring me to use tofu. Feel free to stop by my link party and share your awesome recipes!
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
Thanks so much! Simple, healthy, and delicious is right. Have a great day!
Sarah, snap peas are one of my farmers market favorites. I’ll be scoping some out this weekend for sure!
Stephie, I can’t lie: When I make this for Ben, tofu is swapped for chickychicken :). You can also just omit the protein and rice and it’s a fabulous side. (And perhaps one day you’ll be a tofu lover yet! I’m a shameless optimist)
What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him Dalila. You’ll just have to sell up sweet snow peas. I’m crazy about them too!
I love a simple stir fry with few ingredients and major flavor! This is right up my alley! Thanks for sharing, Erin. Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much Georgia! Cheers to simple stir fries. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend too!
I would adore this recipe just as is… my husband though, is not a tofu fan. But a simple substitution of chicken would do the trick!! Definitely a keeper
Thanks so much Kim! And I’ve definitely subbed in chicken before when sharing with Ben. I’m still determined to make him a tofu lover, but we’re not there yet.
yum! A friend and I just tried this recipe last night. We made a few changes to the recipe but thanks for the inspiration!
Delicious. I’m lazy, cook the tofu in sesame oil throw in veggies, spices and sauce, a little more olive oil. Fini.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Margey! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Easy and delicious! I added peanuts
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Beth! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Loved loved loved this! I did not use cornstarch, but crisped my tofu up in the air fryer. Everything was so good!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Stephanie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
You did not give the amounts for the sauce ingredients.
Hi William! All of the ingredients are listed in the recipe card. Could you please check again, because I see it on my send.
Could you offer a substitute for hoisin sauce and rice vinegar?
Hi Reba! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so those are the ingredients I can account for. Having said that you could leave them out, use more soy sauce, try using broth or additional water. Your results in texture and flavor won’t be like mine but it might work. Let me know how it goes if you decide to experiment!
This is a great recipe – came together very quickly and had great flavor. I didn’t have scallions so subbed a small shallot (sliced thin) and threw that in with the tofu just before it was done crisping in the pan. Family loved it and since we generally have nearly all of the ingredients on hand, this one is a keeper for us.
Hi Jean! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Made this tonight, and it was superb! I wanted it just a bit sweeter/spicier, so I added some extra hoisin—that was perfect for me :) delicious!
Hi Katie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!