Vegan Thai Basil Tofu (Printable Version)

A quick, flavorful vegan stir-fry with tofu, fresh Thai basil, and colorful vegetables in a savory sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tofu

01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed and cut into ¾-inch cubes

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
04 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 3.5 oz snap peas, trimmed
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small red chili, finely sliced

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
10 - 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
11 - 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup or coconut sugar
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1 tablespoon water

→ Stir-Fry and Garnish

15 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
16 - 1 cup fresh Thai basil leaves
17 - Lime wedges for serving
18 - Cooked jasmine rice for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, dark soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, black pepper, and water. Set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add tofu cubes and cook, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp on all sides, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer tofu to a plate.
03 - Add remaining oil to the pan. Sauté minced garlic, red onion, and chili for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add bell peppers, carrot, and snap peas. Stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are tender but retain their crispness.
05 - Return tofu to the pan. Pour sauce over ingredients and toss to coat evenly. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Remove from heat and gently fold in Thai basil leaves until just wilted.
07 - Serve immediately over jasmine rice, garnished with lime wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 30 minutes - perfect for weeknight dinners
  • Packed with colorful vegetables and protein-rich tofu
  • The aromatic Thai basil adds an authentic flavor that's irresistible
  • Completely plant-based without sacrificing any of the traditional taste
  • Adaptable to whatever vegetables you have on hand
02 -
  • For extra flavor, marinate the tofu in 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch for 10 minutes before frying
  • Cut all vegetables to similar sizes for even cooking
  • Don't add the Thai basil until the very end - the residual heat will wilt it perfectly while preserving its aromatic qualities
  • If possible, use a wok for authentic flavor - the high sides allow for quick tossing without ingredients spilling over
  • For a time-saving hack, prepare the sauce and chop the vegetables ahead of time and store in the refrigerator
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