Szechuan Tofu Stir-Fry

Indulge your taste buds with this authentic Chinese Szechuan Tofu Stir-Fry. Known for its bold flavors and numbing spice, this dish captures the essence of Szechuan cuisine while being entirely vegetarian-friendly. The combination of crispy tofu with a spicy sauce and fresh vegetables makes it an irresistible meal that’s both satisfying and packed with flavor.
“The secret to perfect Szechuan Tofu Stir-Fry lies in balancing the fiery spices with just enough sweetness.”
Highlights
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Calories: 250kcal
Ingredients
- 14 oz firm tofu, drained and cubed
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 4 green onions, chopped
Szechuan Sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon chili paste (Szechuan or hot bean)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
Prepare Tofu: Press the tofu to remove excess moisture for about 10 minutes. Cut into cubes.
Marinate Tofu: In a bowl, toss the tofu cubes with 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil and set aside.
Cook Vegetables: Heat another tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and green onions; stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add bell peppers and broccoli; cook until tender-crisp, around 5 minutes.
Stir-Fry Tofu: Push the vegetables to one side of the pan. Add tofu cubes to the skillet. Cook until golden brown on all sides, approximately 7-8 minutes.
Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch mixture, chili paste, rice vinegar, and sugar.
Combine Ingredients: Pour the Szechuan sauce over tofu and vegetables in the pan. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Serve Hot: Transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish and garnish with additional chopped green onions if desired.
Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for this recipe, keep in mind that it may vary based on ingredients selected or substituted:
- Serving: 1 portion
- Calories: 248kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
Enjoy this Szechuan Tofu Stir-Fry hot, accompanied by steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. The blend of spicy and sweet flavors is sure to delight your palate while offering a nutritious vegetarian option. Serve with a side of cucumber salad to balance the heat. Perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests who appreciate bold Asian cuisine!