indian tofu stir fry recipe

Indian Tofu stir fry

By Swasthi on September 1, 2022, Comments, Jump to Recipe

Tofu stir fry made in Indian style with tofu and pantry staples. This super quick tofu recipe will help you whip up a healthy and delicious side dish that goes well in any meal. No matter how you pair it, with noodles, fried rice, plain rice, roti or even with bread, it tastes absolutely good! Wrap it in rotis, tortillas or parathas & pack it for an office or school meal.

indian tofu stir fry recipe

Tofu is a good vegan alternate to paneer. It is rich in protein, amino acids and calcium. Eating organic tofu in moderation has several health benefits. So we eat it a few times a month to make a stir fry with vegetables. Sometimes I also use it in our sandwiches.

If you are new to tofu, then this may help you. Tofu is also known as bean curd and is made similar to the Indian paneer. Firstly soya milk is coagulated and then drained off the excess whey. The solids are pressed and set to tofu blocks with varying levels of firmness or softness.

So in the markets we get silken, firm tofu and extra firm tofu. Choosing the right kind of tofu is essential depending on what you want to use it for. For this recipe, use extra firm tofu as it is perfect to stir fry and won’t break or get mushy.

This tofu stir fry is made in the simplest way by pan frying the tofu first until slightly crisp. Then spices are tempered in oil. Later tomatoes are cooked until soft and then it is spiced to make a spicy masala.

Lastly bell peppers and onions are sautéed in this masala for a short period to bring out the flavors. To finish off tofu is cooked just for 2 mins so it absorbs all of the flavors from the spices.

If you love making a restaurant kind dish, check out this Tofu Curry.

How to make Indian style Tofu Stir Fry (Stepwise Photos)

1. Cube 200 to 250 grams tofu to desired sizes and saute in 1 tsp oil until crisp. Flip them half way and fry on both the sides.

frying tofu in pan

2. When the tofu turns light golden and crisp, remove to a plate.

tofu turns golden and crisp

3. Pour 1 tablespoon more oil. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon cumin seeds. When they splutter add curry leaves (optional) & ½ teaspoon garlic or ginger.

add cumin

4. Add ¾ cup chopped tomatoes ( 1 large). Saute them until soft.

Add chopped tomatoes

5. Add salt, ½ to ¾ teaspoon red chilli powder, ¾ to 1 teaspoon coriander powder and ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala. Saute for another 1 to 2 mins until the masala smells good.

Add red chilli powder

6. Then add cubed onions and bell peppers. Saute on a high flame for 2 to 4 mins. Do not overcook to retain the crunch in veggies. You can add more or less onions and bell peppers to suit your taste.

add cubed onions and bell peppers

7. Then add tofu. I also added 1 teaspoon crushed kasuri methi for flavor. Gently stir to coat the tofu with masala. If you prefer the tofu to be flavorful, then cover and cook for 2 mins. Sprinkle coriander leaves.

add tofu

Serve tofu stir fry as a side.

tofu stir fry recipe

More Vegetable recipes,
Aloo gobi
Ladies finger curry
Potato curry
Beetroot curry
Zucchini stir fry
Zucchini curry

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Recipe Card

indian tofu stir fry recipe

Tofu Stir Fry (Indian Tofu Recipe)

Indian style tofu stir fry made with mix veggies, spice powders and herbs. Tofu stir fry can be eaten with rice, roti or as a side in any meal.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time7 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Servings3
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1 ½ cups tofu (about 200 to 250 grams) extra firm tofu
  • 1 tomato large , (¾ cup chopped finely)
  • 1 onion large , cubed and layers separated
  • ½ cup bell peppers diced or capsicum
  • 1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
  • ½ tsp ginger or garlic (chopped or grated or paste)
  • tsp turmeric
  • ¼ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp red chili powder
  • ¾ to 1 tsp coriander powder
  • ½ to ¾ tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp kasuri methi (optional, dried fenugreek leaves)
  • 1 tbsp oil or as needed
  • 2 tbsp Coriander leaves or cilantro chopped

Instructions

How to make Tofu Stir Fry

  • Heat oil in a wide pan, fry tofu till golden brown, set aside.
  • In the same pan, add little more oil. Add cumin when it begins to splutter, add curry leaves and ginger. Sauté well until aromatic.
  • Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric and fry till tomatoes turn fully mushy.
  • Then add chili powder, garam masala and coriander powder. Sauté until the masala smells good.
  • Next add onions, capsicum, mix well and fry on high for 2 to 4 minutes.
  • Do not overcook, as they lose the crunch.
  • Add tofu and kasuri methi (optional). Gently mix and cook covered for 2 mins on a low flame. This step makes the tofu flavorful. To keep the tofu crispy, just toss in the masala for a few mins.
  • Add finely chopped coriander leaves.
  • Serve tofu stir fry hot with roti, bread or rice.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Tofu Stir Fry (Indian Tofu Recipe)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 183 Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 20mg1%
Potassium 256mg7%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 1350IU27%
Vitamin C 61.1mg74%
Calcium 183mg18%
Iron 2.7mg15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

Indian Tofu stir fry

About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.

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24 Comments
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5 stars
Amazing recipes swasthi n v helpful.

5 stars
Simple , light and Easy

What the measurements for salt and tumeric? Are the curry leaves chopped into the mix or tossed before serving?

5 stars
So happy to have come across this. I wanted to add tofu into my regular diet but am not a big fan of its flavour so find it difficult to eat it as a salad. But now I can use my regular spices to turn tofu into a quick and tasty dry dish that can be eaten as a salad or with a chapathi. It turned out really flavourful! I adapted it slightly by adding a bit of dry basil, using only yellow & red peppers and skipping cumin. Thanks!!

Simple and delicious. Loved it.

5 stars
Wonderfully delicious. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was so good!

5 stars
Best tofu recipe.

love this masala swasthi.. your clicks are so neat and inviting..

I always follow your recipes

Thank you for your posting

A great healthy dish ! Nice pic too!

Yummy n healthy …looks colorful

simple and delicious curry.

Hi Swasthi, your tofu masala look very inviting and yummylicious. Love the combination and the spices that your used. Thanks for sharing your recipe.Have a nice weekend.

wow!! this is amazing…

Deliciously prepared tofu.. Looks inviting!

Wow such an healthy recipe, looks yummy. Neat and beautiful click.

actually my kids love tofu. Try the extra firm tofu, its pretty good. Love the tofu masala! Nice Clicks!