Simple Vegan Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry With Ginger

By
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.
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Updated on 01/18/22
Tofu and vegetable stir fry in bowl

The Spruce 

Prep: 90 mins
Cook: 15 mins
Total: 105 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
350 Calories
14g Fat
40g Carbs
23g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 350
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2713mg 118%
Total Carbohydrate 40g 14%
Dietary Fiber 11g 38%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 23g
Vitamin C 163mg 813%
Calcium 440mg 34%
Iron 6mg 35%
Potassium 1229mg 26%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Enjoy an easy Chinese-style vegetarian and vegan vegetable stir-fry with tofu made in a light and delicious ginger sauce. It's a one-dish meal that includes precooked rice. If you have leftover rice, it is a great way to use it up. But if you don't, cooking the rice can be done while pressing and marinating the tofu.

Feel free to add in whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand as just about any kind of veggie will work. This stir-fry is a great way to use up whatever you have in your refrigerator or pantry. Don't be shy about using leaf vegetables such as spinach or kale, although you will want to add those to the stir-fry later than the firmer vegetables. You could also omit the tofu, or use seitan or tempeh instead.

Ingredients

  • 1 block tofu, firm or extra-firm

  • 3/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1/2 cup lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or olive oil

  • 1/2 cauliflower, chopped

  • 1 bunch broccoli, chopped

  • 2 carrots, sliced

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 1 bell pepper, any color, sliced

  • 1 cup snow peas

  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms, any kind

  • 3 green onions, sliced

  • 1 cup cooked rice

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for tofu veggie stir fry
    The Spruce

  2. First, prepare your tofu. Like most vegan tofu recipes, this one will taste best if you press the tofu first. Place the tofu between 2 paper towels or clean dishcloths and set a heavy bowl on top for 30 minutes.

    Tofu on plate
    The Spruce 

  3. Once the tofu is pressed, cut it into 1-inch cubes.

    Cubed tofu
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  4. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, and ginger.

    Soy sauce and ginger in bowl
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  5. Marinade the tofu in this sauce for at least 1 hour. If you need to cook the rice, do so at this point.

    Tofu cubes in sauce in bowl
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  6. In a wok or a large skillet, add the oil and cook the cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, onion, bell pepper, and tofu over high heat, stirring frequently.

    Tofu and veggies in a wok
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  7. Add the snow peas, mushrooms, green onions, and marinade from the tofu. Allow to cook for just a few more minutes. The vegetables should be tender but not soft.

    Tofu stir fry in pan
    The Spruce

  8. Add the rice and cook just until heated through and well mixed.

    Rice and tofu-veggie stir fry in pan
    The Spruce 

  9. Serve and enjoy.

Leftover stir-fry should be refrigerated in a covered container. You can simply microwave it to reheat it and enjoy the next day for lunch or dinner.

Do-Ahead Tip

If you will frequently be cooking with tofu, you can save time by pressing, cutting, and freezing cubes or slices of tofu. When frozen, tofu will be firmer and will soak up more sauce when you use it in a stir-fry or other dish. First, press the tofu for 30 minutes to remove excess water. Slice or cube the tofu and lay the pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet and place the sheet in the freezer overnight. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-close freezer bag. Label the bags with the date and contents and use them within a month.