Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

This Mongolian Crispy Tofu and Broccoli Stir Fry is a great option for Meatless Mondays, or as a protein-packed vegetarian meal in a hurry. Slices of firm tofu are shallow fried and tossed in a delightfully salty-sweet sticky sauce and heaped with wok-charred broccoli.

For more Asian meals see our recipes here.

I have made Mongolian lamb and beef a few times, and it has always been one of the most requested dishes by my family. I decided to use the same sauce and toss some crispy tofu and wok-fried broccoli as a quick lunch for my vegetarian friend. Needless to say, it turned out great, and I am wondering what else can I use this sauce for!

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Reasons to Love this Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Irresistible Crunch: The crispy texture of the tofu adds a delightful crunch to every bite, making it a satisfying and enjoyable eating experience.
Mouthwatering Mongolian Sauce: Without the need for any fussy ingredients, this simple sauce punches well above its weight in terms of flavor and balance. A delicious blend of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that will leave you craving more.
Loaded with healthy broccoli to make it a well-rounded meal.
Vegetarian Delight: This dish proves that vegetarian cuisine can be exciting, flavorful, and satisfying, making it a great option for vegetarians and those looking to explore plant-based meals.
Quick and Easy: This dish comes together in no time!

Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry in a Wok

Ingredient List for Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry Ingredients List — Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Oil: Pick a neutral-smelling variety like peanut oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, grapeseed oil, etc.

Garlic: Garlic adds a wonderful aroma to your stir-fry. I have diced the garlic so it flavors the oil well.

Broccoli: Slice the broccoli thin enough so it stir-fries well to a crisp and slightly golden color. If you choose thicker florets, read on to see how to prep broccoli for stir-fry.

Tofu: I have used firm tofu. This will crisp up quickly on high heat in a pan.

Soy Sauce: I have used light soy sauce. Though lighter in color, it has a saltier taste than dark soy. However, it is balanced with sugar.

Sugar: I have used brown sugar. Feel free to substitute with white sugar, or your preferred sweetener.

Cornstarch: Cornstarch (Cornflour in UK or Australia) is mixed with water to for a slurry. This helps create a thicker, glossier sauce to coat the tofu and broccoli.

Optional Ingredients: Sesame seeds, Sesame Oil, and Spring Greens for garnishing.

Optional Ingredients

Step-By-Step Process to Make Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Cut tofu into slices (see above picture) and pan-fry them with some oil. The heat should be high. Your tofu slices should crisp up to a golden brown.

add garlic to wok for Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

add broccoli to wok for Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Add the oil to your wok, and heat till almost smoking. Add the broccoli florets and fry till slightly crispy and light golden brown.

Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

For the sauce, mix the soy sauce and sugar into the pan, and simmer for a few seconds. Add the cornstarch slurry. (You may have to stir the cornstarch again just before pouring, as it tends to settle to the bottom quickly)

Once the sauce turns dark, thick, and glossy, your sauce is ready.

Add the crispy tofu, garnish with sesame seeds, spring onions, and sesame oil (all optional) and your Mongolian Tofu With Broccoli is ready!

Serve hot with steaming jasmine rice or these Noodles In Chilli Oil

Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry picked up by chopsticks

Some Useful Tips

How to cook Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry even faster.

To save more time, you can purchase ready crispy firm tofu. This is fried and ready to be tossed in.

Make your rice in the cooker, and fry the tofu in a separate pan, while stir-frying the broccoli. I do this when I need a meal in a hurry.

Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry with chopsticks and chilli sauce

Tips to Stir-Frying Broccoli

1. Slice the broccoli thin (see pictures) so they cook and get crispy quickly. This way you do not have to deal with raw-tasting broccoli.

2. Do not cook too many florets in the wok. Home-use gas stoves are too small to generate the kind of heat commercial woks have. To get around this problem, only stir-fry 2 portions at a time to get that smokey char or wok-hei flavor.

3. Always keep the heat high, and do not crowd the broccoli at the center of the wok. They will start sweating and turn mushy. We need them to be stir-fried quickly and at high temperatures.

4. Mise En Place: This is a French term for keeping everything ready and in order. This is especially important during quick stir-frying. I keep the ingredients in the order that they go in the wok. This takes the guesswork out when you are working and makes the workflow very smooth and enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mongolian Crispy Tofu And Broccoli Stir Fry

Can This Mongolian Tofu be made Gluten-Free?

Yes! Just substitute soy sauce with a gluten-free version or tamari.

Is Mongolian Tofu dairy free?

Tofu is made from soybeans, and hence free from animal dairy.

How do I make the Mongolian Crispy Tofu Low Carb?

Tofu is low-carb, however, the sauce has sugar which will increase your carb count. Just substitute it with your preferred sweetener.

Is Mongolian Tofu Vegan?

Yes, tofu is made from soy beans and is vegan-friendly.

How long can I store this?

In The Fridge: 2-3 Days
In The Freezer: Store in freezer safe container, label the date of storage and keep for 2 months in the freezer.