Name: Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Oil; 5 - 6 cloves Garlic (chopped finely); 1 inch Ginger (piece of , julienned); 2 Green Chilies (slit lengthwise); 1 Onion (cut into petals); 200 grams firm Tofu (cut into squares); ½ cup Bell Peppers (green and red, cut into one inch squares); Salt to taste; 1 tablespoon Chili paste; 1 tablespoon Light Soy Sauce; 1 teaspoon Vinegar; 1 tablespoon Honey; 1 teaspoon Ketchup; 1 tablespoon Cornflour; ½ cup Water

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This Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry is a saucy, Asian style vegan dish that takes only 20 minutes and is really easy. The sweet and spicy sauce coats the tofu to make the tofu really soft and flavourful!

sweet chili tofu stir fry served over rice

Love Tofu? Try my Crispy Tofu Broccoli Stir Fry,, Vegetarian Mapo Tofu Lettuce Wraps (Vegan, Gluten Free) or Crispy Sesame Tofu with Zucchini Noodles!

There's midweek madness going on and what's keeping me alive? This Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry. Piping hot, slightly sweet, but majorly spicy sauce that wraps itself all over that tofu and gives me fifteen minutes of phenomenal happiness in this otherwise crazy day. It is a dish worth looking forward to and makes for a perfect dinner. It tastes fantastic with rice as well as noodles- take your pick! It's really easy to cook and is really delicious so I hope you're ready to over eat, just a bit. Thank me later 😉

Here's the thing with tofu - it can very easily be a bland, flavourless chalk like flavour if not done right. That's why I always make sure there are BIG flavours every time I cook it. It's also important to make sure you buy good quality tofu - well made tofu = yummy tofu.

The flavours in this dish are what make it so special - perfectly balanced sweet, spicy and sour that just envelope each bite so that you can't stop eating!!

Ingredients you'll need to make Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry

ingredient shot for sweet chilli tofu stir fry

Tofu: Tofu also known as bean curd, it is a protein made from soy bean! It has a soft, spongy texture and a mild flavour! I've used firm tofu for this recipe. You can substitute this with a protein or vegetable of your choice to modify this dish with the same base sauce!
Dry red chilli paste: Soaked in hot water and ground to form a coarse paste. This paste forms the base of the recipe and lends the whole dish its distinctive spicy and garlicky flavour.
Aromatics: This recipe uses lots of finely chopped garlic, ginger and onions.
Oil: You can use any neutral-flavoured oil with a high smoke point such as peanut, canola and sunflower for this recipe.
Veggies: I have used cut onions, red and green capsicum; you can use anything available to you.
Green Chillies: For the heat! Adjust according to your preference.
Soy sauce: For saltiness and umami. Responsible for that distinctive Indo-Chinese flavour.
Vinegar: For acidity and balance
Tomato Ketchup: Adds a little sweetness along with a bit of umami. Gives it the extra street-style flavour too!
Honey: Balances out the flavours of the whole dish and gives it that extra sweetness. A little goes a long way.
Corn Flour: This is made into a slurry and used as a thickener for the stir-fry!
Spring onion greens (optional): Used as a garnish to add a dash of freshness.

How to make Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry

Sweet Chilli Tofu is one of those backpocket recipes that can save you when you are running late and want something fast, filling and healthy.

Here's a step-by-step collage showing you how to make Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry:

step by step image collage showing how to make sweet chili tofu stir fry

1. Heat oil in a non-stick pan and add ginger, garlic and green chillies. Sauté on high heat for 30 seconds and add the onions.

2. Cook the onions for 1-2 minutes on high heat.

3. Add the bell peppers and stir-fry for 2 more minutes.

4. Add tofu and stir-fry for 1 more minute.

Step by step picture collage showing how to make Sweet Chilli Tofu Fry

5. Mix all the ingredients under sauce and add to the pan.

6. The sauce will start to thicken and bubble. Keep stirring as you cook on medium heat for a few minutes till you are happy with the consistency of the sauce and switch off the flame. Serve hot with rice noodles or steamed rice.

Richa’s Top Tips to make the best Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry

Stir fry all the ingredients on high heat as far as possible.
You can easily substitute tofu for paneer.
We like our food spicy so feel free to reduce the spice levels.
If you don't have time to soak and grind red chillies, substitute with 2 tablespoon sriracha or any other hot sauce
Use firm tofu which is easy to cut and won't disintegrate in the stir fry
If you like your tofu crispy, you can crisp it up the way I do it in this tofu broccoli stir fry and then add it to the sauce
Switch up the veggies to include your favourites - mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, zucchini all taste great in this recipe

Sweet Chili Tofu Stir Fry served over rice in a bowl.

More Stir Fry Quick Lunches:

Teriyaki Shrimp Broccoli Stir Fry
Crispy Tofu Broccoli Stir Fry
Lemon Ginger Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry
Asian Veg Stir Fry
Teriyaki Chicken
Chinese Cashew Chicken Noodles

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