Pan fried Tofu Sesame Broccoli Stir Fry recipe that is so easy to make. This super simple dish makes the perfect weeknight dinner idea.
Imma gonna to put on my big girl pants and make some actual food for once. And I have got to say, even though I made this Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry vegetarian, my meat loving fiance ate it up and went for seconds. This is the guy who said that he couldn’t last one week without meat. Plus these meals take almost no time to make. Which is a huge plus in my books.
Let me be honest with you guys for a second. I actually don’t like cooking with meat. At all. Touching it, cutting it, cooking it. To me, all of that is unpleasant. Especially the cooking part. I am always afraid that I am going to under-cook something and poison everyone who eats it. Or that the meat will be contaminated with something awful, and I will get everyone sick. For the most part, that is something that I don’t need to worry about when I cook vegetarian.
Also, meat is so expensive! And since John is still a student (PhD student, but still) and I am living on a teacher’s salary, I start wondering why I need to shell out more money to cook with something that I don’t even really like cooking with anyways.
So you can bet that this Tofu Sesame Broccoli Stir Fry will be a regular dinner recipe at my house. It is so easy to make, and is ready in under 30 minutes. Weeknight meals, here I come!
Tofu Sesame Broccoli Stir Fry Ingredients
You probably have all of the ingredients to make this tofu broccoli stir fry recipe. All you need is:
- dark soy sauce
- sesame oil
- dark brown sugar
- rice vinegar
- small piece ginger
- fresh garlic
- sesame seeds
- corn starch
- extra firm tofu pieces
- olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- broccoli florets
That’s it!
Tips
Remove excess liquid from the block of tofu. If there is too much water, the tofu will not cook properly. One of my secrets to crispy tofu is to remove excess liquid using a tofu press. Just place tofu in the tofu press and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, you can create a similar system using layers of paper towels and a heavy cast iron skillet (or a large plate). Just place the tofu in the paper towels, place the skillet or plate on top, and press tofu until there is no more excess water.
Use extra-firm tofu. I know that it’s already in the ingredient list, but I know people will want to make substitutions. The problem is, soft tofu will crumble. The texture of the tofu will not hold up after you fry tofu.
Storage: Store the broccoli tofu stir fry in an airtight container, and place in the fridge for 4-7 days.
What to serve this crispy sesame tofu stir fry with. I love serving this stir fry with rice of any kind. My go-to is brown rice, but white rice or cauliflower rice work well.
Make this spicy. Me and my husband love a little spice, so we always add either red pepper flakes or hot sauce. Just remember that a little bit of red pepper flakes goes a long way.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Like this Tofu Sesame Broccoli Stir Fry? Then you will love these easy meals:
If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Tofu Sesame Broccoli Stir Fry
Ingredients
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp cornstarch
Stir Fry
- 1 block extra firm tofu
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp oil
- 1 bunch broccoli, chopped
Instructions
- Using a tofu press, press the tofu to extract excess water (or create some system with paper towels and heavy pans to press out the water)
- Meanwhile, mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved.
- Cut the pressed tofu into cubes. Toss in the 2 Tbsp cornstarch until coated.
- Heat the oil on medium heat in a skillet. Brown the tofu on all sides. Transfer to a plate.
- Heat the broccoli in the same skillet and add in the sauce. Allow to bubble, then turn to low. Allow to simmer until the sauce has thickened. Add in the tofu and serve with rice.
I agree with you on the prep of raw meat! Yuck But, I do like to eat it. I have never coated my tofu first – must try that.
Haha, that is why I will usually order meat when at a restaurant, but rarely cook with it 😉
So many of the meats thesedays come in already madetoeat to make fajitas..tacos etc. I spend my monies on those..have a choice to spice it to my needs and my family’s tastes. Try it…Tyson’s has a variety of tastes…very mildly spiced..great for children.
Yummy!
Like I said earlier, I made something ridiculously similar, alas not so photogenic… Great minds think alike eh?
BUT yours feature ginger which I absolutely loooove, so I’m gonna rattle up this soon as well methinks 🙂 Bet it gave it just that extra bit of a kick and freshness aplenty! 😀 I hope you’re having a lovely week so far! x
It really did. I love adding ginger to my stir frys! 🙂
Made a pact with myself to cut meat out of meals more often . This is a perfect way to do that . Thanks for the awesome recipe .
This really is a good way. I hope you try it out Leanne!
I am hosting a friends bday party next weekend and I will make this for the vegetarian guests
I hope you do, it is one of my favourites. Let me know how it goes!
This is definitely my kind of meal, love everything about it. I will prep meat on occasion for Michael but I prefer not to if I can get away with it.
Haha, I just can’t get into it!!
Tofu is delicious, makes a good alternative to meat when you aren’t feeling like it that day
So true. This is my go-to meal for Meatless Mondays!
Tofu stir fry is something I could eat every day! Yours looks absolutely amazing! Love the fresh ginger in your sauce!
I could eat this everyday too! 🙂
This is perfect when you are craving take-out, but don’t eat meat! I love how this has so much flavor without the meat added to it.
Yes. Meatless Monday meals just got a lot better 🙂
I love tofu and just recently tricked my husband into eating it! 🙂 But now he’s a fan of it too! Love this recipe and I love it even more for being healthy. This will be making a regular appearance in my kitchen. Thanks for posting!
Yes! That is the best way to get people into eating things 😉
Thanks Rachel!
I’ve never coated tofu before but I bet it gives it a nice crisp exterior in this dish. The fella is gaga for tofu dishes and broccoli so this would go over really well!
Yes!! It makes the tofu so good! Thanks Jenni
I wouldn’t even miss the meat in this dish, it looks so delicious. We are trying to eat less meat so I am looking forward to giving this a try!
Yes!! Let me know if you give it a go 🙂
hehe, my other half was the same, until he tried my vegan curry! Since then we are having meat-free dinner at least twice a week (and he is the biggest meat eater I know!). Your tofu stir fry looks delicious and so easy, perfect quick and healthy meal!
Ooh, I will have to try your vegan curry then! Thanks Anna 🙂
This looks like a perfect quick dinner. Your tofu looks perfectly golden and crisp, too.
It is so good! Thanks Colleen 🙂
I am going to make this for Meatless Monday! The flavor is just like take-out, but without all the meat added. This is also perfect for Lent.
Yes, so true! Thanks Deseree!
What a perfect vegan and vegetarian meal! I’ve never made anything with tofu in it but this would be perfect for meatless Monday!! Loving the flavor combination in this dish!
No way! You must try it sometime! It is so easy to make 🙂
I love healthier take out style recipes and this one is on the top of my “must make” list!!! Pinning this recipe for later 🙂
Thanks for the pin Kylie! Let me know if you give it a try 🙂
Yum! Love a good stir-fry and this looks delicious! And your pics are stunning! Thanks so much for sharing :).
Aww, thanks so much Daniela!
I’m surviving on vegetarian food for a few days and now looking out for options that are easy to cook and tastes delicious. This hits the chord, I’m so grateful for recipes like this one. Love the simple flavors you’ve added to the tofu and broccoli
This is my favourite combo for a meatless meals. Thanks Alisha!
Just like the kids say – “awesome sauce” – but I mean it literally. 🙂 I needed to use up a carrot, some green beans, and a green onion, so threw them in with the broccoli. With the high heat, the sauce carmelized a little bit, and wow…especially nice little crust along the tofu pieces and carrot bits. Delicious, thank you!!!!
Yay! I am so glad you liked it!! 🙂