Stir-fried tofu with bean sprouts and mushrooms- a delicious vegan Chinese stir-fry recipe that's delicious and very easy to make. If you are an Asian food lover and looking for healthy ways to eat tasty then this is a must-try recipe.
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One of the many advantages of working with a Multinational Team when you are a foodie too is that you get to taste the authentic home-cooked food from different countries and also learn their secret cooking tips and tricks.
I shared the recipe of Hot tofu bites a while ago where I applied the tips of making tofu taste better which I learned from a Chinese colleague. Today I am sharing another Chinese recipe learned from her.
It’s a quick, delicious, and healthy vegan Asian stir-fry recipe- Stir-fried tofu with bean sprouts and mushrooms. This vegan mushroom and beans stir fry is equally loved by my carnivore friends.
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Ingredients required and substitute suggestions
To make this vegan Chinese stir fry tofu with mushrooms and bean sprouts you will be needing the following ingredients:
- Tofu: Extra firm
- Bean sprouts: Soybean sprouts are the best for Asian stir fry recipes like this bean sprouts with tofu recipe. They are easily available in Asian stores. However, if you could not find it use regular mung bean sprouts.
- Mushrooms: I have used button mushrooms. Use whichever mushroom you like.
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Soy sauce: For the gluten-free version use tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos
- Hot sauce: Use sriracha, red chili sauce, or any hot sauce of your choice.
- Bok choy: Though bok choy tastes the best in this stir-fried tofu dish, you can also use spinach, Chinese cabbage, or spring onion.
- Thai chili pepper/ any hot chili pepper. Skip if you don't like spicy food.
- Ground black pepper
- Salt
- Vegetable/ canola oil: You can also mix a teaspoon of sesame oil with vegetable/ canola oil. It gives a very nice nutty flavor and is used in a lot of Asian recipes.
What type of tofu is the best for stir-fry?
Extra firm tofu is the best to make Asian stir fry dishes because it has the least amount of moisture.
However, even if you are using extra firm tofu don't miss to press it before using in a dish.
How to press tofu for stir-fry?
To press tofu wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and put on a plate. Cover it with another plate and then put something heavy like a can of beans on top. Keep it like this for at least 30 minutes.
After that cut the block into cubes. Either use it directly or lightly season and bake before using in a dish.
I prefer slightly baking the tofu cubes before using in any dish. Not only it makes the tofu taste better but also makes handling it easier as it doesn't break easily.
How to make perfect Chinese stir-fries at home?
I love Asian stir-fry dishes as they are very easy to cook, quick, and full of flavors. Stir-frying is originally a Chinese way of cooking which has now become very popular all over the world.
Who doesn’t love a piping hot Chinese stir fry, full of flavors, coming out from a wok? However, to make a perfectly crispy, crunchy, delicious stir fry you need to follow some simple steps which I am sharing below.
- Always use a large wok for stir-frying. You can never make a good stir-fried dish in a small pot as you need space to continuously move the ingredients for even cooking. In a small pan, the ingredients get piled up over each other and become steamed and soggy. You can’t make crunchy stir-fries in a small pan. If you like Asian stir-fries and don't have an Asian stir fry wok at home then do invest in one. You won't regret it.
- Stir-fry over high heat. Use the highest heat option of your cooking stove. But then don’t leave the ingredients unattended on high heat. To avoid distractions, do all the cutting, chopping in advance and keep your ingredients ready near the stove.
- Start with adding the aromatics like ginger-garlic. Saute them only for a few seconds i.e. until they become fragrant otherwise, they will get burned.
- First add the ingredient which takes the highest time to get cooked. Like in this recipe I have added mushrooms first.
- The ingredients which you want to keep crunchy shall be added at the end. Even sauces shall be added to the dish before you add the crunchy ingredients. Like in this tofu and bean sprouts stir fry recipe, I have added bok choy and sprouts after the sauce. This helps in keeping them crunchy.
Follow these simple steps and you will never again order a Chinese stir fry from outside.
Serving suggestions
Stir fried bean sprouts with tofu can be served as a starter or in the main course with some rice or noodles.
You can also add it to your Asian buddha bowl or wraps.
Step by step photo instructions
More easy and simple tofu recipe
If you are looking for different ways to enjoy tofu then don't miss to try the following easy tofu recipes on my blog:
- Tofu in peanut sauce
- Pineapple tofu
- Vietnamese tofu in tomato sauce
- Chili garlic tofu
- Orange tofu
- Sweet and sour tofu
More recipes using bean sprouts
Looking for ways to add bean sprouts to your diet? The following easy bean sprout recipes are worth trying:
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Recipe
Stir-fried tofu with bean sprouts and mushrooms
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
Ingredients required for baking tofu
- 3 cups extra firm tofu cubes around 500 gms
- Salt as per taste
- Ground black pepper as per taste
- ½ teaspoon any cooking oil
Other ingredients
- 1 cup diced mushrooms use any variety of your choice
- 1.5 cups bean sprouts
- 3 cups roughly chopped bok choy keep white and green part separated
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon grated garlic
- 1-2 finely chopped chili peppers
- 1.5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon any hot sauce adjust as per taste
- ground black pepper as per taste
- Salt as per taste optional
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil/ canola oil
Instructions
- Put the tofu cubes in a bowl. Add oil, salt, and pepper. Gently toss and spread on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake at 200°C (around 400°F) for 12-15 minutes or until the outer layer of tofu turns light brown.
- Heat oil in a large wok or pan. Add grated ginger and garlic. Saute for around 30 seconds.
- Add the white part of bok choy and chili peppers. Saute for a minute on high flame
- Add mushrooms and saute for 2-3 minutes on high flame.
- Next, add salt, pepper, soy sauce and hot sauce. Mix, and cook for a minute.
- Add bok choy (green part) and saute until the leaves start getting wilted.
- Add sprouts and saute on a high flame for a minute. They should remain crunchy.
- Finally, add the baked tofu cubes. Mix and saute for a minute. Serve hot with some rice or noodles.
Notes
- Store-bought fried or baked tofu can also be used in this dish. They are easily available in Asian stores.
- Other vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beans, bell pepper, snow peas, etc can also be used.
- It can be served in the main course with rice/ noodles or also enjoyed as a starter.
- Adding salt to the stir fry is optional as the soy sauce is already salty and salt is added to the baked tofu too. Add salt only if required.
- To bake tofu you can also marinate tofu cubes in soy sauce and pepper.
- For best result, press tofu using a tofu press or wrap the tofu block in a clean kitchen towel and then press with something heavy.
- You can check my tips to make Asian stir fried dishes inside this post.
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