Stir-Fried Tofu and Peppers Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

John

Here is where your own judgment should come into play, where the last step of the recipe directs the cook to taste and adjust seasonings. This means YOU can choose to add more soy, hoisin, sesame oil, sugar, hot pepper, etc. If you get into this habit and give your dish a final tweak (which usually takes less than a minute) your opinion of your success with new recipes will improve markedly. With enough additional hoisin, hot pepper, etc. no way would the overriding taste be "bland."

janet

Awesome dish use full lb of tofu and pressed water out also used 4 peppers and served over rice noodles. Made my own hoisin sauceand garnished with sesame seeds and more scallions definitely will make again

RDCollins

Made this last night. Excellent! However, as I had a 14-ounce package of extra-firm tofu, I doubled all of the other ingredients EXCEPT the peppers. Also increased the garlic and green onions.

Russ

I second John's comment. This was a great mid-week meal. I kicked the flavor up with a little hot seasoned sesame oil and a bit of garlic-chili paste close to the end. Worked well for us!

Aurelia

Tastes great. To simplify, just eyeball the measurements. It'll be fine. Mix in all of the sugar and soy sauce with the tofu. (Add hoisin and sesame oil later). Recipe is flexible if you don't have all of the ingredients. If you don't have scallions, substitute a white onion and add it at the beginning with the peppers. Using only one type of peppers also works. If you don't have fresh ginger or garlic, powdered/dried works. And it's also fine to skip the hoisin sauce.

Matt

I think we're meant to consider "time" to be assuming that all the prep required in the "ingredients" section is already completed. For example, the prep for peppers (seeded, cut into 1" squares) in this case is NOT included in the time. I do think it's misleading.

Dana

This recipe offers a great stir fry technique that is very flexible and can be endlessly improvised. To balance the sweetness of the brown sugar, I added the juice of one lime to the stir-fry sauce. My husband also doesn't love peppers, so we used asparagus instead, and I threw in a handful of cashews along with the garlic and ginger. Delicious -- lots of umami, just what you crave with this type of dish. I do recommend pressing the tofu.

Alli

I don't have hoisin sauce, and this was perfectly fine without it. I did bake the tofu until it had a little crisp to it, and just mixed it in at the end. It was great. This is very versatile and you can use whatever veggies you have on hand. This time I used two green peppers, a carrot, and half an onion. Delicious!

quaasam

Very nice dish. Served with rice. Double the sauce and add a bit of cornstarch. Baked the tofu for 15 minutes at 400F to firm it up. Will do it again.

jon

We had this for dinner last night and really enjoyed it. I can see what other people have said is true in regard to adjusting the flavors to suit your palate. I ended up putting some chili oil on mine while I added some extra hoisin to my wife's. This is definitely in the rotation.

Leslie

This was delicious. I served over soba noodles and topped with my favorite Chinese chili sauce - yum!

Josh K

Double the sauce, shake a fair amount of cumin on at the end. Used 1 lb of tofu, but would double sauce regardless.

Dana Maria

I made as written with exception of baking the tofu after coating it with cornstarch.My family loved it and want to have it again! I found it slightly too salty despite using lower sodium soy sauce.

Tess

My go-to stir-fry. I double the recipe because the super-firm, high-protein tofu I buy comes in a 16-oz package. I usually add some mushrooms, zucchini, or other veggies, according to what I have on hand. Sometimes I stir in bean sprouts at the very end (so they stay crisp). The hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and fresh ginger are essential (IMO). I garnish with diagonally sliced scallions before serving. This recipe is flexible and can be made according to one's own taste!

Heather

This was quite good. We used the whole 14oz package of tofu. It was however, only 2 servings for us - which was fine, since there’s only 2 of us.

sl

Delicious but the tofu should be pressed for longer than 15-20 minutes. For the best texture, it should be cut first and then pressed for several hours. Also you could easy use a full lb of tofu, otherwise there is a lot of pepper for the amount of tofu. Overall, great recipe with great flavor.

Jo

Air fry the tofu (390 for 15 minutes) and prep the ingredients ahead of time and you’ll be happier

AEB

Made this with chicken instead of Tofu. Cooked the chicken first, removed them from the pan and then did the peppers. Good solid stir fry dish for a weeknight.

Gina

Delicious & such a simple, versatile stir fry sauce for any veggie variety. I used peppers & celery, & threw in cashews. After draining the tofu, I stir fried it a bit first in Sesame Oil, salt, pepper, & garlic powder then marinated as instructed. Use at least 1 tsp pepper flakes…

my notes

2 tablespoons soy sauce1½ teaspoons brown sugar2 tablespoons vegetable, peanut or canola oil2 teaspoons hoisin sauce1 teaspoon sesame oil

Jay

I fried the tofu in toasted sesame oil before stir frying with peppers. The crisp texture of the fried tofu really helped the sauce stick better. I also doubled the sauce and added a 1/4 cup roasted peanuts for a kung pao-esque crunch. Total hit! Kids were licking their plates (and so was I…)

Doubled fhe sauce, ruined fhe dish

I took recommendation to double the sauce and I think it ruined the dish. Too salty, too dark. Look forward to trying it the way it was written.

Chi

I subbed teriyaki glaze sauce for hoisin, used a red, yellow paprika, and zucchini in place of a green pepper. Like others said, I should've used a whole block of tofu. Although very good, it was a little salty side, so I'll definitely use a whole tofu next time.

Jean

Substituted oyster sauce for hoisin because I had no hoisin. Fantastic recipe!

Matty Wilder

I added mixed mushrooms and used only two peppers. Also used a full package of firm tofu (14 oz) and pressed it so double the sauce.

Mel B

Very good recipe and came together quickly. I used oyster sauce since I prefer its savory flavor over the sweeter flavor of hoisin, so my final dish wasn't vegetarian. Will double the sauce recipe next time. I used a method from another NYT recipe for cooking the tofu. Cut it into slices, fried the slices until golden on both sides, then cut into dominoes. Added to the recipe as directed.

Nancy

My family eats this maybe once a month and we never get tired of it. As people say, adjust the flavors at the end to suit your tastes. I throw a few dashes of fish sauce in for umami, and a small bit of oelek sambal.

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Stir-Fried Tofu and Peppers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

Do you marinate tofu before or after frying? ›

A classic way to spice up your tofu game, this crispy marinated tofu recipe is packed with flavor and so easy to make. Simply marinate your tofu then fry, bake, or cook in the air fryer for beautifully crispy tofu that tastes delicious every single time. Ready in 40 minutes, vegan-friendly, and so good.

Why do people soak tofu in brine before frying? ›

Why does the brine work? Both the heat and the salinity of the water draw moisture out of the surface of the tofu, helping it crisp and brown. The hot water also gradually tightens the proteins at the surface of the tofu, helping keep any remaining moisture inside.

Do you need to press tofu before stir frying? ›

Press the Tofu Before Stir-Frying

Young also advises pressing the tofu, even extra-firm tofu, between a few layers of paper towels and with something heavy to weigh it down. It's a few extra minutes of work, but there's a big payoff in the texture of the finished tofu.

Why can't you eat spinach and tofu together? ›

- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

Why can't you eat a lot of tofu? ›

Potential Risks of Tofu

Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

What should I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

How do you make tofu more flavorful? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. ...
  2. Press it: Firm tofu can be quite bland if eaten straight out of the package. ...
  3. Fry it: Fried tofu can be crispy and delicious. ...
  4. Add it to stir-fry: Tofu can be added to stir-fries for extra protein and texture.
Apr 6, 2023

What is the tofu rule? ›

No one cares about unblocking a task as much as the person doing it. That's why it's important for that person to follow the Take Ownership and Follow Up (TOFU) principle. That means taking ownership of the task and chasing the people you are waiting on until it gets done.

Why pour boiling water over tofu? ›

It may seem counterintuitive to add water to something you're trying to dry out, but boiling water will actually cause the tofu to squeeze out more moisture, bringing it to the surface and making it easier to blot off, while the salt gently seasons the slices.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

First, drain and press the tofu.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

What kind of tofu is best for stir-fry? ›

Extra-Firm Tofu has the least amount of liquid. It's what I always recommend for stir fries, especially if it will be cubed like in this General Tso's Tofu Stir Fry. It still has enough liquid to where you will need to squeeze some of the liquid out.

How do you stir-fry tofu without it falling apart? ›

Use tender tofu and be gentle.

You add the tofu to the pan and gently shake or stir it. You don't vigorously move it around the wok with a spatula, lest it fall apart. There's a fair amount of liquid and seasoning too so the tofu takes on the other ingredients. This is delicate stir-frying with some simmering involved.

Why is my fried tofu soggy? ›

Your fry temp is too low. You can start in slightly cold oil but a minute max but after that you're doomed to soggyness. Less time than that ND the heat will eventually push the oil out and make it crispy.

Is tofu a high inflammatory food? ›

Tofu and tempeh.

Studies suggest people who eat soy-based foods have lower odds of inflammation-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Nuts and legumes, Tree nuts like almonds and walnuts, along with peanuts, are rich in unsaturated fats, along with anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals.

Can we eat tofu and egg together? ›

Yes, you can eat eggs and soya chunks together as they are both excellent sources of protein. Soya chunks are a plant-based protein source, while eggs are an animal-based protein source. When combined, they provide a complete protein profile that contains all the essential amino acids required by the body.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

By stretching an egg with a little tofu, you reduce the cholesterol and saturated fat. Try tucking it into a whole-wheat pita pocket for a simple and satisfying breakfast sandwich-and a healthful alternative to fast-food fare.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better? ›

Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. You can use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and other seasonings to make a simple marinade. Let the tofu marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) before cooking or grilling.

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