Spicy Basil Tofu | Tofu Stir Fry

Spicy Basil Tofu or Thai Basil Tofu Stir Fry is delicious and flavorful dish prepared using tofu, fresh basil leaves and sauces. This dish tastes the best when served with steamed rice.

One of the best and simple tofu and fresh basil leaves recipe for your vegetarian or vegan weeknight meal or weekend dinner. This dish is not only easy to make but also very tasty that you will only crave for more and more.

I always prefer tofu over paneer. Tofu is gluten-free and low in calorie. It is an excellent source of plant based  protein, iron, and calcium and contains no cholesterol. It is made from soybean curds.

What type of tofu is best for stir fry?

Extra firm tofu is what I use in most of my recipes. It has least amount of liquid and always gives crispy and firm texture on the outside and meaty like on the inside which will make you fall in love with tofu.

I am not a big fan of soft tofu or silken tofu. Firm tofu is OK but I must say Extra firm tofu is the best. 

How do you press tofu for stir fry or to get that cripsy texture on the outside?

Remove as much liquid as possible from tofu to make it more crispier. To do this you will have to place weight on tofu. Keep some paper towels on plate. Wrap the tofu block in paper towel. Place another plate or cutting board on top of this and place heavy item on like bowl of water or canned items. keep this aside for 15 minutes.

How long will tofu stir fry last?

Stir fries are best when prepared fresh and served immediately. if there are any leftovers, you can place them in fridge in air tight container for 3 days.

How to serve tofu stir fry?

Tofu stir fry tastes great with steamed white rice, brown rice or even with noodles.

Some of the best, simple, quick and easy tofu recipes or paneer recipes for your vegetarian or vegan meal (lunch or dinner) weekend or weeknight

• Fried Tofu With Thai Special sauce
• Palak Paneer (Tofu in Spinach Sauce)
• Honey Sriracha Tofu
• Tofu Tikka Masala (Paneer Tikka Masala)
• Tofu Bhurji (Tofu Scramble)
• Fried Tofu With Peanut Sauce
• Spicy Pad Phed Tofu
• Spicy Pan Seared Tofu With Kumquat Sauce
• Babycorn Mushroom Tofu Chilli
• Sweet & Sour Tofu with roasted cashews
• Easy & Delicious Asparagus Stir Fry

Preparation time : 25 minutes
Serves : 2

Ingredients for Spicy Basil Tofu or Thai Basil Tofu Stir Fry or Spicy Paneer

Extra Firm Tofu or Paneer - 14 oz ( 1 block)
Onion chopped - 1
Garlic cloves - 6
Green chilli - 2 to 3 (adjust to taste)
Ginger grated - 1 inch
Fresh Basil leaves - ½ cup
Soya Sauce - 1 to 2  tsp
Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp*
Red pepper flakes - 1 tsp
Dried basil leaves - 1 tsp
Tomato ketchup - 1 tbsp
Sriracha chili sauce - 1 tsp
Brown sugar - 1 tsp
Red chile powder - ½ teaspoon (optional)
Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp
Salt to taste

Steps to prepare Spicy Basil Tofu or Thai Basil Tofu Stir Fry or Spicy paneer

• Heat oil in non-stick pan. Cut the tofu into desired shape. Stir-fry the tofu till it develops some color.
• Using pestle and mortar nicely crush the garlic and green chilli.
• Once the tofu is developed some color, add onion, ginger and crushed garlic, green chilli to the pan and saute till they become light in color.
• Now add soya sauce, Worcestershire sauce red pepper flakes, dried basil leaves, ketchup, sriracha chilli sauce, salt to taste, brown sugar, red chilli, mix well and saute for about 2 minutes.
• Chop and add the fresh basil leaves. Mix well. Switch off the flame.
• Spicy basil Tofu is now ready. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy.

Tip:

• Vary the amount of green chilies as per your taste.
• I have combined both dried and fresh basil leaves. You can also use any one of them.
• Vary all the ingredients, specially the sauces to taste. This is very flexible recipe. Any change in the ingredient quantity will change the taste of the dish but it will be unique and flavorful.
• You can even add veggies like mushroom, broccoli, spinach for this recipe.
• Use extra firm tofu for for crispy and firm texture on the outside.

*I have used a vegan / vegetarian version of Worcestershire sauce. Make sure you check the ingredient list in the sauce before you use it

Recipe card

SPICY BASIL TOFU | THAI BASIL TOFU STIR FRY | SPICY PANEER

Kushi

Spicy Basil Tofu or Thai Basil Tofu Stir Fry is delicious and flavorful dish prepared using tofu, fresh basil leaves and sauces. This dish tastes the best when served with steamed rice. One of the best recipe using paneer or tofu and fresh basil leaves for lunch or dinner.

5 from 11 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course appetizers, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine Asian, Thai

Servings 6

Calories 533 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 14 oz Extra Firm Tofu or Paneer (1 block)
• ▢ 1 Onion, chopped
• ▢ 6 Garlic cloves
• ▢ 2 to 3 Green chilies
• ▢ 1 inch Ginger
• ▢ ½ cup Fresh basil leaves
• ▢ 1 to 2 teaspoon Soya Sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce *
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Dried pepper flakes
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Dried basil leaves
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Tomato ketchup
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Sriracha or any chili sauce
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Brown sugar or sugar
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Red chile powder (optional)
• ▢ 2 tablespoon Vegetable oil or Cooking oil
• ▢ Salt, to taste

Instructions

 

• Heat oil in non-stick pan. Cut the tofu into desired shape. Stir-fry the tofu till it develops some color on both sides on medium to medium high heat.
• Meanwhile, Using pestle and mortar nicely crush the garlic and green chilies.
• Once the tofu is developed some color, add onion, ginger and crushed garlic, green chilli to the pan and sauté till they become light in color.
• Now add all ingredients one after another - soya sauce, Worcestershire sauce red pepper flakes, dried basil leaves, ketchup, sriracha chilli sauce, salt to taste, brown sugar, red chilli, toss and sauté for about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Chop and add the fresh basil leaves. Mix well. Switch off the flame.
• Spicy basil Tofu or Spicy Thai Basil tofu stir fry or Spicy paneer is now ready. Serve hot with steamed rice and enjoy.

Notes

• Vary the amount of green chilies as per your taste.
• I have combined both dried and fresh basil leaves. You can also use any one of them.
• Vary all the ingredients, specially the sauces to taste. This is very flexible recipe. Any change in the ingredient quantity will change the taste of the dish but it will be unique and flavorful. 
• You can even add veggies like mushroom, broccoli, spinach for this recipe.
• Use extra firm tofu for for crispy and firm texture on the outside.  

*I have used a vegan / vegetarian version of Worcestershire sauce. Make sure you check the ingredient list in the sauce before you use it.

Nutrition

Calories: 533kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 69gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 735mgPotassium: 1494mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 220IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 306mgIron: 11mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you like this tofu or paneer recipe,

Don't miss to check out other delicious bread and flatbread, curry and gravy recipes

Pita Bread	Garlic Naan Bread
Ghee rice or brown butter rice	Thai roti bread with tofu scramble
Vegan Rumali Roti Bread	Palak paneer (Tofu in spinach sauce)

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