Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
on Jan 12, 2022, Updated Mar 31, 2025
This Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry recipe uses just one pan. A flavorful takeout style plant based dinner made with homemade garlic ginger stir fry sauce!
This broccoli tofu stir fry is made in just one big pan and tastes like takeout. If you have ever wondered how to cook tofu that tastes delicious, this is it!
⭐️ Review ⭐️
“I made this last night and my family loved it. I have never made any thing with tofu before….. I was scared but not as hard as I thought it would be. Thank you for this recipe. I will be cooking with Tofu again.”
I took one bite of the broccoli and realized it tasted just like the broccoli with garlic sauce that I order from a local Chinese restaurant.
If you are new to stir fries at home, this recipe is a great place to start!
Ingredients and notes
Here are the ingredients you will need to make this broccoli and tofu stir fry, why we use them, and a few helpful tips to ensure success.
- Cubed tofu: If you cannot find cubed tofu, you can buy a block of extra firm tofu and drain and press it, then dice it into cubes.
- Cornstarch: This helps add a crunchy texture to the tofu, as well as thicken the homemade stir fry sauce.
- Soy Sauce: This is used in our easy 3 ingredient homemade stir fry sauce and adds a salty rich flavor.
- Sesame Oil: This nutty and flavorful oil is perfect in Asian inspired recipes. You can use this in place of the olive oil in the recipe too, if you want to.
- Fresh Ginger and Garlic: These are key for a sauce that tastes like your favorite takeout. Do not skip these!
- Green Onions: Another flavorful addition to this stir fry, this adds a fresh bright flavor.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh broccoli florets are the star of the show alongside the tofu. Do not substitute frozen broccoli in this recipe.
- White Rice: For serving your stir fry. Feel free to substitute brown rice, ramen noodles, udon noodles, or whatever you like!
How To Make Broccoli tofu stir fry
First, you will drain the tofu, and pat it dry.
Recipe Tip
I love buying pre packaged diced tofu, like I use in this recipe. It is so convenient!
If you cannot find pre packaged tofu, just drain a block of tofu and press it well before cutting into cubes.
Once you drain your tofu and pat it dry, place the cubes in a bowl.
Toss the tofu with cornstarch and shake it around until all sides are coated.
The cornstarch is going to help the tofu get those crispier edges.
How to pan fry the tofu
Heat a large skillet with oil until hot.
Add in your tofu and start to pan fry it. Cook the tofu for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring often, until all sides are cooked and crispy.
Adding the rest of the ingredients
Next, add in your fresh garlic, ginger, green onion, broccoli and the homemade stir fry sauce.
These fresh ingredients give the dish so much flavor, so do not leave them out!
Keep stirring and cooking until broccoli is to your desired texture and stir fry sauce is thick and sticking to the broccoli and tofu.
I love my broccoli with a bit of crunch, so I cook it for just a few minutes (10 or 15) while still leaving a bit of a bite to it.
Joy’s Tip
The texture of the broccoli really adds so much to this stir fry, so be sure you do not overcook it as it will begin to get mushy.
Tips to get the best flavor
The secret to the flavorful sauce is in the fresh garlic and ginger, so do not skip these. Once you pair them with my 3 ingredient stir fry sauce, magic happens.
I have had people leave out the fresh garlic and ginger and did not like the recipe and that is why! The recipe, as written, yields the very best stir fry flavor.
My family used to eat Chinese every Sunday growing up, and it was a tradition I loved.
This recipe is also naturally vegan and gluten free, making it great for sharing with the ones you love!
Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 8 oz package of cubed tofu, drained and patted dry
- 3 tablespoons corn starch
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh ginger, minced
- 9 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup green onions, chopped
- 4 cups cooked unsalted white rice, see notes
For the stir fry sauce
- 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Drain the cubed tofu and pat it dry.
- Place the tofu cubes in a bowl.
- Add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch and toss the tofu gently to coat all sides.
- Heat a large skillet on medium high heat with 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Pan fry the tofu for 10-15 minutes, until crispy on all sides.
- Make one batch of the 3 ingredient stir fry sauce recipe and shake it up to combine.
- Add the broccoli, ginger, garlic, green onions and the homemade stir fry sauce to the skillet and sauté for 10-15 minutes, or until the broccoli is your desired texture.
- Serve alone or over unsalted rice or stir fry noodles.
Can I use med. Tofu for this?
You can, but the texture will not be as firm.
thanks for this good food! With prices on meat going up, making this recipe will help my budget, and make me a star with the family!
Hi Joy!
After making the sauce, do you pour it all in this dish or only use part of it?
You will use all of one batch!
Husband said this dish was the best I’d ever made!
This turned out delicious. Thanks for the great and easy recipe
Can I use olive oil instead of sesame oil?
@Ivneet, I did and it turned out great. My daughter has a sesame allergy and she can finally eat Chinese food!
Is there an actual recipe or…?
the recipe and instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post (right above the comments section).
Hi! I’m just wondering, have you tried this with frozen broccoli? If so, how was it?
I would not recommend it, as the broccoli would get pretty mushy.