Step 1: Press the tofu: Wrap the block of tofu in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel, place it on a plate, and weigh it down with something heavy for at least 30 minutes to remove excess water. This is crucial for achieving crispy tofu in your easy tofu stir fry with vegetables.
Step 2: Prepare the tofu: Once pressed, cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes. In a medium bowl, toss the tofu cubes with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until evenly coated. This helps create a crispy crust on the tofu.
Step 3: Make the stir-fry sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce (or tamari), rice vinegar, sesame oil, brown sugar, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). If you plan to thicken the sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water in a separate small bowl and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the tofu: Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated tofu in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary) and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the crispy tofu from the pan and set aside.
Step 5: Stir-fry vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the same wok or skillet. Add the broccoli florets and sliced carrots and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they start to become tender-crisp.
Step 6: Add bell peppers: Add the sliced red bell pepper to the pan and continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes, until all vegetables are bright and tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to keep their crunch.
Step 7: Combine and sauce: Return the cooked tofu to the pan with the vegetables. Give the prepared stir-fry sauce a quick whisk, then pour it over the tofu and vegetables. Stir everything to coat evenly.
Step 8: Thicken and serve: If using, add the cornstarch slurry to the pan and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and clings to the tofu and vegetables. Remove from heat immediately. Garnish your easy tofu stir fry with vegetables with sliced green onions and sesame seeds before serving hot with rice or noodles.