Vegan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli

This vegan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli stir fry is quick, healthy, and packed with flavor. A simple weeknight dinner ready in 30 minutes.

Looking for a quick, healthy, and absolutely delicious vegan dinner? This Vegan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli stir fry is packed with crispy tofu, tender broccoli, and a sweet-savory homemade teriyaki sauce that tastes better than takeout. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even a cozy weekend dinner.

I love this simple tofu and broccoli stir fry, and you will, too!

This recipe is:

• Quick and easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Budget-friendly: Made with simple pantry staples and fresh veggies, it’s an affordable way to enjoy a flavorful, plant-based meal.
• Meal-prep friendly: Cook once and enjoy leftovers for lunches or dinners throughout the week. It stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully.
• Healthy and balanced: Packed with protein from tofu and vitamins from broccoli, this stir-fry is satisfying and nourishing.
• Better than takeout: Crispy tofu, glossy homemade teriyaki sauce, tender broccoli, and no greasy delivery required!

It’s also super easy to make this recipe your own: just add more veggies, spice it up, or serve it with rice, noodles, or even in lettuce wraps for a low-calorie, healthy meal!

Gather your ingredients and let’s get cooking!

Vegan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli Ingredients

This stir-fry is made with simple, everyday ingredients, like crispy tofu, fresh broccoli, and a sweet-savory teriyaki-style sauce. This is an easy, comforting meal that you can throw together any night of the week with no fancy ingredients required.

Here’s what we will need:

Firm tofu: Firm or extra-firm tofu works best for stir-fries because it holds its shape and crisps nicely. For the best texture, press the tofu for at least 15–30 minutes to remove excess moisture. This helps it brown better and absorb more flavor.

Vegetable oil: A neutral oil, such as sunflower, canola, or grapeseed oil, is ideal for high-heat cooking. Avoid olive oil if possible, as it can burn during stir-frying.

Broccoli: Fresh broccoli adds crunch and freshness to balance the rich sauce. Cut it into evenly sized florets for even cooking. You can also use the peeled stems; just slice them thinly and add them to the pan for less waste. If you don’t have fresh broccoli, frozen broccoli will also work, or you can even swap it with other vegetables, like leeks, carrots, peppers,… 

Soy sauce: Choose low-sodium soy sauce to keep the dish from becoming too salty while still delivering umami. Tamari works well as a gluten-free option.

Hoisin sauce (or tamari): Hoisin adds sweetness and depth. If unavailable, use extra soy sauce with a splash of maple syrup and a pinch of five-spice powder.

Maple syrup: for natural sweetness to balance the saltiness and acidity. You can substitute with brown sugar or agave syrup if needed.

Rice vinegar or lime juice: for acidity that cuts through the richness of the sauce. Rice vinegar gives a mild tang, while lime juice adds a fresh citrus note.

Garlic: Essential for bold flavor. Finely mince or grate it so it distributes evenly throughout the sauce.

Water: Helps thin the sauce so it coats the tofu and broccoli evenly without becoming too thick.

Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce into a glossy, takeout-style glaze. Whisk it well with the liquid to avoid lumps.

For serving & garnish, we also recommend: 

• Toasted sesame seeds
• Green onion (scallions)
• Cooked rice

How to make Vegan Teriyaki Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry

This stir-fry comes together quickly and is perfect for busy weeknights. With a little tofu pressing and a simple homemade sauce, you’ll end up with crispy tofu, tender broccoli, and a glossy, flavorful teriyaki-style glaze that tastes better than takeout!

Press the tofu

Wrap the tofu block in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object on top (a cast-iron skillet, cutting board with cans, or books all work). Let it press for 20–30 minutes to remove excess moisture. Removing water helps the tofu brown properly and prevents it from steaming in the pan. If you’re short on time, even 10–15 minutes helps.

Once pressed, cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes. Aim for evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.

Prepare the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar (or lime juice), and minced garlic. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity if needed.

In a separate bowl, whisk the water and cornstarch until completely smooth. Always mix cornstarch with cold liquid before adding it to the pan. This prevents lumps and ensures a glossy, smooth sauce.

Crisp the tofu

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the tofu in a single layer. Let it cook undisturbed for 1–2 minutes before stirring so it can develop a golden crust. 

Cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the tofu is golden and crispy on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cook in batches if needed to keep the tofu crispy.

Cook the broccoli

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the same skillet. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until bright green and slightly tender but still crisp.

If your broccoli is thick, add a splash of water and cover the pan for 1 minute to steam it before uncovering and continuing to cook lightly.

Remove the broccoli from the skillet and set aside.

Cook the sauce

Lower the heat slightly and pour the prepared soy sauce mixture into the skillet. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. This should take about 1–2 minutes.

Turn off the heat once the sauce reaches your desired thickness. The sauce will thicken more as it cools, so avoid over-thickening.

Combine everything

Return the cooked tofu and broccoli to the skillet. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated in the sauce.

If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of water to loosen it. If it’s too thin, return to low heat for another 30–60 seconds.

Serving ideas

Serve the teriyaki tofu and broccoli over hot, cooked rice. Steamed jasmine, basmati, or brown rice works best.

Finish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and texture.

This stir-fry is super versatile and works for quick weeknight dinners, meal-prep lunches, or even a casual dinner party.

Here are more ways to serve it:

• Toss it with cooked rice noodles, soba, or udon.
• Spoon the tofu and broccoli into crisp lettuce leaves for a light, hand-held option.
• Serve in a bowl with grains, greens, and extra toppings like avocado, shredded carrots, or sesame seeds.

 

Storage tips

One of the best things about this teriyaki tofu and broccoli stir-fry is how well it keeps. Whether you’re planning ahead for the week or saving leftovers, these simple storage and meal-prep tips will help keep everything tasting fresh and delicious.

Refrigerator:
Store leftover teriyaki tofu and broccoli in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen over time, making it even better the next day.

Reheating:
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between to heat evenly.

Meal-prep:
This recipe is perfect for meal prep. Portion it into containers with rice for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

Keep rice separate:
For the best texture, store the rice separately from the stir-fry and combine just before serving or reheating.

Freezing:
Freezing is not recommended, as tofu and broccoli can become watery and lose their texture once thawed.

 

Similar recipes:

Vegan Stir-Fried Rice Noodles with Tofu

Crispy Pan-Fried Tofu Spring Rolls

Lemon Broccoli Pasta

Easy Egg Fried Rice

This recipe is sponsored by Hofer Austria. | Naročnik oglasa: Hofer KG