This zippy tofu stir fry is a cacophony of color and flavor that bursts from the bowl and makes the descriptors commonly associated with tofu—“boring,” “mushy,” “hippies only”—seem as accurate as my bowling game (i.e. wildly off target).
How to Make the Best Tofu
Before I launch into all of the lively ingredients that make this stir fry boogie, let’s address the elephant in the kitchen: tofu. It’s divisive, and I can understand why.
Tofu lovers will profess how, when cooked properly, tofu is a crispy, protein-packed, super sponge for flavor.Tofu haters are more likely to recall the unpleasant experience that poorly cooked tofu: a mushy, bland blob of putty.
Both groups—the ‘fu lovers and the ‘fu naysayers—are right. To enjoy tofu, it really does need to be cooked well, which fortunately for us, is ridiculously easy. Last year, I launched a full-scale kitchen campaign to figure out how to cook perfectly crispy, super satisfying tofu at home and was pleasantly surprised. You can read the full detail of my tofu revelation in the post Crispy Tofu and rest assured that every tofu bite in this honey lime tofu stir fry is lightly crispy on the outside and satisfyingly firm and flavorful on the inside.
Why I Love This Easy Tofu Stir Fry
Tofu is a blank canvas and will absorb anything you add to it, turning each little cube into a big pocket of flavor. Currently, I’m hooked on a cocktail of honey, lime, and mint. It’s a little sweet, a little tart, and ultra refreshing—everything I crave in a spring or summer dinner. For extra pizzazz, I tossed in fresh ginger. It wakes up the tofu stir fry and makes it taste alive. (See also this Tofu Stir Fry!) As with any of the stir fry recipes on my site, the veggies are a choose-your-own-adventure situation, so feel free to swap any you love or have on hand. I used two of my spring favorites—broccoli (a star in this Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry) and asparagus—along with plump cherry tomatoes for a colorful, juicy pop. I served this honey lime stir fry atop whole grain farro (which tastes similar to rice but is a bit chewier and heartier), but brown rice, quinoa, or whole wheat noodles are lovely options too. (If you’re looking for a noodle dish, this Stir Fry Noodles is a tasty choice!)
More Flavor-Packed Tofu Recipes
Tofu Tikka MasalaTofu TacosGeneral Tso’s TofuVegetarian Lettuce Wraps
I hope I’ve convinced a few of the tofu skeptics to give the ‘fu a go, if only this once, but you can certainly make this honey lime stir fry with chicken, shrimp, or your protein of choice. Or give this Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry a try instead. My one non-negotiable: you must wear your sassy pants when you serve it. Flavor this big demands a coordinating attitude!
