This Thai basil tofu stir-fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish that comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying meal. Packed with bold flavors and aromatic basil, vegan pad krapow is the perfect way to spice up your weeknight dinner routine!
If you love Thai food, you’ll definitely want to try my tofu red curry, tofu pad Thai, and vegan yellow curry.
Whenever I’m craving Thai takeout, this Thai basil tofu stir-fry is my go-to recipe! Traditionally made with minced chicken and various spices, this plant-based version swaps in tofu for a delicious, meat-free alternative.
It’s perfect served with rice and vegetable sides like peanut quinoa salad or pad pak Thai to make it a complete meal.
💚Why you will love Thai basil tofu
- Aromatic, bold, and packed with vibrant flavors
- Quick and easy to make - ready in just 30 minutes!
- Healthier and lighter than Thai takeout ‘
- Highly versatile – serve with steamed rice or noodle dishes like my vegan pad see ew or stir-fry rice vermicelli
🌶️What you will need
- Tofu – Use extra-firm or firm tofu that has been pressed beforehand, either with a tofu press or by stacking something heavy on top. Save your silken tofu for dishes like silken tofu scramble or tofu pasta sauce instead!
- Chilies – I’m using deseeded bird’s eye chilies to tone down the heat, but feel free to skip them if you prefer a spicier dish!
- Basil – Traditional recipes call for holy basil, but it can be tricky to find. Thai basil is a great substitute and can usually be found at larger grocery stores.
- Oyster sauce – Opt for a mushroom-based sauce that serves as a vegetarian alternative. Lee Kum Kee’s stir-fry sauce works wonderfully here!
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Best substitute for Thai basil
If you can’t find Thai basil (or holy basil), sweet basil makes a great substitute! While the flavor will be a bit milder, it will still bring a fresh, aromatic touch to your dish, making it just as delicious.
📃Ingredients substitutions and add-ins
- Tofu – If you prefer, you can swap tofu with 2 cups of rehydrated TVP in 2 cups of hot vegetable broth. Crumbled tempeh or veggie mince of equal weight also work well as alternatives.
- Crispy pad krapow – I love juicier tofu bites, but if you prefer crispy edges, toss crumbled tofu in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Fry them in oil until golden, set aside, and then add them back in the last minute of cooking.
- Add more veggies – Boost the nutrition by adding extra veggies like finely chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or fresh baby spinach towards the end of cooking.
- Adjust the spice – Want more heat? Add more chilies! For a milder dish, swap bird’s eye chilies with a regular chili, or skip the chilies entirely for a spice-free version.
🔪How to make Thai basil tofu
Step 1: Combine all the seasonings needed to make the stir-fry sauce.
Step 2: Using your hands or a potato masher, crumble your tofu into small pieces to resemble minced meat.
Step 3: Heat some oil in a non-stick wok, then fry onions for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Stir in garlic and chilies next, frying for another minute.
Step 4: Add French beans, cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 5: Add tofu and stir-fry sauce, then fry until everything is hot. Remove from heat before stirring in basil leaves.
Step 6: Serve your Thai basil tofu stir-fry with rice and any other dishes you like!
💡Top tip
If you’re serving Thai Basil Tofu with rice, I recommend prepping and cooking your rice first. By the time you’re done making the stir-fry, your rice will be ready to serve alongside it!
❔Commonly asked questions
The main difference between holy basil and Thai basil is their taste profile. Holy basil has a pungent, peppery flavor with a slight spice to it. Thai basil is sweeter and features a hint of licorice and anise, giving it a unique aromatic flavor.
You can substitute Thai basil with regular basil, but you’ll miss the bold, aromatic punch of Thai basil. Regular basil is milder and lacks the distinct spiciness and fragrance. However, your tofu basil stir-fry will still be delicious regardless!
Pad Krapow typically includes bird’s eye chilies, so it is on the spicier side. However, the spice level can vary depending on how much chili is used in the recipe.
If you’re making it at home, you can easily adjust the heat to your liking. For a spice-free version, simply omit the chilies.
Thai basil tofu is best served with plain rice, which perfectly complements its rich, flavorful taste. You could also pair it with cooked noodles like ramen or rice noodles.
To complete your meal, serve it alongside lighter sides such as Thai spring rolls, Asian cucumber salad, or stir-fried vegetables.
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📖 Recipe
Thai Basil Tofu Stir-fry (Vegan Pad Krapow)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari/shoyu
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce *
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce optional, but recommended
- 2 teaspoons sugar
For stir-fry
- 1 block extra-firm/ firm tofu drained and pressed (around 14oz/400g)
- ½ medium red onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3-5 bird's eye chili deseed to make it less spicy
- 5 stalks green beans around 80g/3 oz
- 1 cup Thai basil/holy basil lightly packed**
Instructions
- Combine all seasonings needed to make the stir-fry sauce in a bowl. Mix well.
- Using your hands or a potato masher, crumble tofu into small pieces to resemble minced meat. Set aside.
- Heat ½ tablespoon of oil in the wok, and add chopped onions. Fry for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in garlic and chilies next, and fry for another minute.
- Add French beans and saute for 2-3 minutes, or until they are tender.
- Add tofu and stir-fry sauce to the pan. Toss and fry until the tofu is hot.
- Remove from heat before stirring in basil leaves. Your vegan Thai basil tofu stir-fry is ready to be served!
Notes
- Crispy pad krapow – I love juicier tofu bites, but if you prefer crispy edges, toss crumbled tofu in 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Fry them in oil until golden, set aside, and then add them back in the last minute of cooking.
- Adjust the spice – Want more heat? Add more chilies! For a milder dish, swap bird’s eye chilies with a regular chili, or skip the chilies entirely for a spice-free version.
- Storing leftovers - Leftover Thai basil tofu can be refrigerated for 2-3 days. Heat it up in the microwave, or toss with some oil in a pan until hot.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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