Tomato Tofu Stir Fry

Tomato Tofu Stir Fry is a simple yet flavorful Chinese homecooked dish made with cubed tofu, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and green onions. The tofu soaks up the savory-sweet tomato sauce, making it perfect to enjoy over rice as a light vegetarian main dish or as a tasty side.

Cooking Note: While often called a "stir fry," this dish sits somewhere between a stir fry and a quick braise. Depending on how long you cook down the tomatoes, you can control how much sauce forms - keep it lighter and drier, or let it simmer into a saucy, almost stew-like dish. Either way, it's cozy, comforting, and so satisfying!

Here's what it can look like when you cook the tomato longer:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simple & Quick: Comes together in about 15 minutes with just a few ingredients.
• Comforting Flavors: Juicy tomatoes create a savory-sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with tender tofu.
• Healthy & Light: Packed with plant-based protein, antioxidants, and vitamins.
• Versatile Dish: Enjoy it as a vegetarian or vegan main dish over rice, or serve it as a side to complement meats and seafood.
• Family-Friendly: Mild, balanced flavors that everyone can enjoy.

About the Ingredients

Tofu
Tofu (豆腐) - also known as bean curd - is made from soybeans. Think of it like this: cheese is to dairy milk as tofu is to soy milk. Soy milk is curdled, pressed, and formed into solid white blocks. For this recipe, use firm or regular tofu so it holds its shape while stir frying. Silken tofu is too delicate and will break apart.

👉 If you love tofu, don't miss my recipe for Mapo Tofu, one of the most famous and flavorful Chinese tofu dishes!

Tomatoes
Ripe tomatoes bring natural sweetness and tang to the dish, creating a rich, garlicky sauce that soaks beautifully into rice. Choose deep red, slightly soft tomatoes for the best flavor.

Garlic & Green Onions
These aromatics add depth and freshness. Garlic enhances the savory tomato sauce, while green onions give a fresh, slightly sharp finish.

Rice Cooking Wine (Michiu)
A splash of michiu balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and brings out the savory umami flavors. If you don't have it, you can substitute with dry sherry or simply use broth.

Seasonings
Just salt and a little sugar are all you need - simple but effective in highlighting the natural flavors of tofu and tomato.

How to cook Tomato Tofu Stir Fry (Step by Step)

First gather your ingredients:

• 3 medium tomatoes, cut in the wedges
• 1 package tofu, cut in to 1 inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine (michiu)
• 2 tablespoon of water
• Salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 2 green onions, chopped

Remove tofu from package carefully and place on a plate. Using a knife, cut it horizontally, vertically and on the sides so they are 1 inch cubes.

Heat a wok or large cooking pan on medium high. Add cooking oil and tomatoes.

Stir fry until tomatoes start to soften, and add tofu to wok/pan carefully.

Add salt to taste, sugar, rice cooking wine, and water, and then carefully stir fry everything for about 5 minutes or until tomato is soften completely.

Sprinkle with green onions, and turn off the heat.

Remove from heat and serve hot! I recommend serving with rice - the tomato tofu sauce is so tasty with it!

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Not recommended - tofu and tomatoes both change texture after thawing.
• Reheat: Best reheated in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of tofu works best?
Use firm or regular tofu so it holds its shape. Silken tofu is too soft for this dish.

Is this Vegan?
Yes! The recipe is naturally vegan as written.

Do I have to use rice cooking wine (michiu)?
It adds flavor, but you can replace it with dry sherry, broth, or skip it entirely.

How do I make the sauce thicker?
Cook the tomatoes longer so more juice reduces, or add a cornstarch slurry (½ teaspoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) near the end.

How should I serve this?
I usually cook it as a veggie side dish, so it's served with other dishes and rice. However, since it does have tofu you get some protein in there too!

Continue to Content

Tomato Tofu Stir Fry Recipe

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Tomato Tofu Stir Fry is a cozy, comforting Chinese dish made with cubed tofu, juicy tomatoes, garlic, and green onions. The tofu soaks up all the savory-sweet tomato flavors, making it perfect to serve over rice. Depending on how long you cook the tomatoes, you can keep it lighter and drier or let it simmer into a saucy, almost stew-like dish.

Print

Ingredients

• 3 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 package firm or regular tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine (michiu)
• 2 tablespoon water
• Salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

1. Carefully remove tofu from package and cut into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cooking oil and tomatoes, stir fry until they begin to soften.
3. Add tofu cubes gently to the pan, along with rice cooking wine, water, salt, and sugar.
4. Stir fry carefully for about 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are fully softened and begin forming a sauce.
5. Adjust cooking time depending on how much sauce you want — less time for drier results, longer for a saucier dish.
6. Sprinkle in green onions, turn off heat, and serve hot with rice.

Notes

• For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce or drizzle of sesame oil before serving.
• The tomato sauce is amazing over steamed rice — don’t skip it!
• You can control the consistency: cook shorter for a drier stir fry, or longer for a saucier, stew-like version.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Mori-Nu Silken Soft Tofu 12oz x 12 Pack
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  Santoku Knife - imarku 7 inch Kitchen Knife Ultra Sharp Asian Knife Japanese Chef Knife - German HC Stainless Steel 7Cr17Mov - Ergonomic Pakkawood Handle, Best Choice for Home Kitchen and Restaurant
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  Cooks Standard Stainless Steel Stir Fry Pan with Dome Lid 13-Inch Multi-Ply Clad Wok, Silver

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 182Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 156mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 12g

The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information.

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More Delicious Tofu Recipes!

Delicious, versatile, and great for vegetarians or anyone wanting a light but flavorful meal. These tofu dishes combine tender tofu with fresh veggies and tasty sauces.

• Stir Fry Shredded Meat, Celery, and Dried Tofu (Dougan) - Marinated shredded beef or pork stir-fried with dry pressed tofu (dougan) and julienned celery. A perfect balance of savory and crunchy textures.
• Mapo Tofu (Easy Recipe) - Soft tofu cooked in a spicy, flavorful meaty sauce. A classic Chinese comfort food that's especially good served over rice.
• Vegetable Tofu Soup - A light and nourishing soup with tofu, tomatoes, and fresh vegetables simmered in broth. Quick and satisfying.
• Soba Noodles with Glazed Tofu and Stir Fried Veggies - Tender glazed tofu served with soba noodles and a medley of stir-fried vegetables, flavored with ginger, garlic, and lemon juice.

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