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.Â
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 2Â 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
Ingredients
- 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.Â
- 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. Â
Nutrition
If you like this tofu or paneer recipe,
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Nava Krishnan
This I must try. The basil plant is over flowing. To cut and add with tofu will be awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Kushi
Thank you so much 🙂
Aarika
This looks delicious! I love tofu and this seems to have the perfect amount of "heat" as I am a wimp when it comes to spice. =) Thanks for sharing!
Kushi
Thank you Aarika 🙂
Traditionallymodernfood
I have tofu in fridge should try this
Kushi
I am sure you will love this. Thank you dear 🙂
Jeff
Do you drain and press the tofu first? Most recipes I see call for this.
Kushi
It is optional if you are going to stir fry the tofu. If you are deep frying then you must drain and press it.
Trish
Such a flavorful recipe transforming bland tofu into a delicious dinner that even my 4year old enjoyed thoroughly (had to leave out all the spicy ingredients in his portion)! Definitely will be making it again, thanks!
Kushi
Thank you so much for the lovely comment. I am glad you liked it 🙂