Peanut Sauce Tofu Stir-fry

Stir-fry is one of those dishes that I will never get bored with! By switching out the ingredients or sauce used, it will yield a different flavor and dining experience. In this recipe, we will use a peanut butter-based sauce, giving this peanut sauce tofu an amazingly rich and creamy texture. 

If you are craving a lighter stir-fry, I highly recommend checking out my cabbage tofu stir-fry, hoisin tofu, or lemongrass tofu!

💚Why you will love this recipe 

• Rich, hearty, and packed with flavors 
• A one-pan recipe that is ready in 30 minutes 
• Highly versatile and can be customized to suit your needs 
• Meat lovers approved! 

🥬What you will need 

📃Ingredients notes and substitutions 

• Peanut butter - Use natural peanut butter that is drippy and smooth. It will make the mixing process much easier! 
• Soy sauce - Can be substituted with tamari or shoyu. Use a gluten-free brand if needed. 
• Sugar - Other sweeteners like maple syrup, agave syrup, and brown sugar can be used. 
• Chili flakes - An optional ingredient. Omit to make this recipe spice-free. 

🔪How to make 

Cooking tofu - Place tofu cubes, cornstarch, and salt in a container. Cover and toss until tofu cubes are well coated. In a non-stick wok, pan-fry tofu cubes on each side for 2-3 minutes or until most sides are golden. Set aside. 

Making peanut sauce - While cooking tofu, mix all ingredients needed for peanut sauce. 

Sauteing aromatics - Heat some oil in the wok, and add onion. Saute until translucent before adding in garlic. Fry until fragrant. 

Cooking veggies - Add carrot and bell pepper, then cook for 2 minutes. Next, add snap peas and cabbage. Cook until veggies are tender yet crisp. 

Putting everything together - Add peanut sauce and cooked tofu to the wok, and fry until the sauce thickens. Give it a taste, adding more seasonings if needed. Your peanut tofu stir-fry is ready to be served! 

✅Helpful tips 

• Using frozen mixed veggies - To reduce prep time, use a bag of frozen vegetable mix. 
• Prep ingredients beforehand - Stir-frying is a relatively quick process and requires constant stirring. Hence, it is recommended that you do the mise en place before starting to cook. 
• Use a large wok or pan - This is to ensure that the ingredients cook properly and do not leap out of the pan during stirring. 
• Be careful not to overcook veggies - It is recommended to cook vegetables over high heat for a shorter period to avoid them becoming soft and mushy.
• Storing leftovers - Leftover tofu in peanut sauce can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. If the mixture seems dry upon reheating, add a few tablespoons of water to thin. 

✨Variations and add-ins 

Tofu - Tofu can be substituted with chunks of seitan, tempeh, rehydrated soya curls, and vegan chicken pieces. 

Veggies - Feel free to use any vegetables you have available! Broccoli, cauliflower, baby corn, and button mushrooms are all great options for this peanut tofu stir-fry. 

Noodles - To make a heartier dish, stir in some cooked noodles. I recommend doubling the ingredients for the sauce and adding it to taste. 

Dial up the heat - Add a couple of teaspoons of sriracha or Thai red curry paste if you love spice! 

Lower fat - You can easily make this recipe low-fat by using 4-5 tablespoons of peanut butter powder like PB2 mixed with 3-4 tablespoons of water to replace peanut butter. 

Toppings - I love topping my peanut sauce tofu stir-fry with chopped peanuts, toasted sesame seeds, and green onion. 

🍚How to serve 

Here are some dishes that pair well with this peanut sauce tofu stir-fry: 

Rice - My favorite combination is stir-fry and rice. While plain white rice or brown rice are great options, I prefer serving it with Thai fried rice or sambal fried rice. For a lower-carb meal, cauliflower rice is a great alternative.

Noodles - You can serve your peanut tofu stir-fry over cooked noodles like soba or udon. Alternatively, make some stir-fried noodles like oyster sauce noodles and vegetable chow mei fun. 

Soups and side dishes - Some appetizers and side dishes that pair well with this dish include air fryer rice paper rolls, Asian cucumber salad, and Chinese spinach soup. 

❔Commonly asked questions