Easy Lemon Basil Tofu

This quick and easy one-pan lemon basil tofu stir-fry is packed with salty, savory, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, is super versatile, low-budget, protein-rich, and perfect for enjoying alone or alongside rice or quinoa as a hearty, healthy meal! Even better – it’s ready to be enjoyed in just 15 minutes!

15-Minute Tofu Stir-Fry with Lemon and Basil

There is honestly no limit to the ways you can flavor and serve tofu (aka the ultimate flavor sponge). We’ve already shared several marinated tofu recipes, including rich and spicy easy buffalo tofu, buttery lemon tofu, and crispy salt and pepper tofu. Now it’s the time for this simple, aromatic, savory, and delicious Thai basil tofu stir-fry!

This easy tofu marinade combines 10 simple and inexpensive pantry-friendly ingredients and utilizes some of our favorite flavors. Like soy sauce, ginger and garlic, enhanced with bright and tangy lemon and aromatic basil, balanced with just a little maple syrup for minimal ingredients and maximum taste. The result is an aromatic, tangy, savory, salty, and slightly sweet blend.

Even better, swap out the basil between Thai basil, Thai holy basil (our preferred option), and regular basil based on availability and budget for a dish that is either sweet and anise-like, hot and peppery, or sweet and peppery. Either way, you’ll be blown away by the amount of flavor with such simple ingredients.

When combined with equally versatile veggies (we went with onion and bell pepper this time), this is perfect for a last-minute, low-fuss, high-protein, and nutrient meal. Enjoy it alone, in lettuce wraps (like this vegan black bean lettuce wrap recipe), or alongside your favorite grain/noodles. Plus, you can save the leftovers for several days with this meal-prep-friendly dish!

Looking for more easy tofu recipes? Try out our stir-fried veggies with tofu, pineapple glazed tofu ham, tofu fillets with tomato herb pan sauce, spicy and sweet tofu, sauteed lime tofu, and grilled tofu steaks.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

Just 10 ingredients make up this simple and delicious Thai tofu stir-fry (tofu pad krapow).

If you use the former, you don’t even need to press the tofu. For extra-firm tofu, we press it if it seems overly watery, pressing it simply with our hands to release excess water or for just 15 minutes pressed under a heavy object. Refer to this guide to tofu pressing to learn more.

Basil Vs. Thai Basil Vs. Holy Basil

Whereas regular basil has a slightly sweet and mildly peppery flavor, Thai basil is far more robust, with a slightly sweet anise/licorice-like, slightly spicy flavor. In comparison, holy basil is spicy (sometimes referred to as hot basil), peppery, and almost clove-like.

Usually, we wouldn’t recommend substituting one for the other, but we often use regular basil in this Thai tofu stir-fry recipe in place of holy basil, and it tastes great (you can add other hot ingredients to make up that missing spice).

The Add-ins and Variations:

• Chilies: To add heat, add some Thai red pepper flakes or finely sliced Thai chilies (de-seeded). Sriracha or another hot sauce would also work for extra heat in the Thai tofu marinade.
• Vegan oyster sauce: Just a splash will add an umami depth to this easy tofu marinade.
• Nuts: Garnish the Thai tofu stir-fry with toasted, unsalted crushed peanuts or cashews for extra crunch and heart-healthy fats. For a nut-free version, sprinkle the Thai tofu with sesame seeds.
• Other vegetables: To turn this into a heartier Thai basil tofu stir-fry, add extra veggies, like:
  • Broccoli/broccolini
  • Green beans
  • Carrot (a complete guide to carrot)
  • Mushrooms
  • Eggplant

How To Make Basil Tofu

A handful of simple, effortless steps are all that is required to prepare this simple lemon basil tofu recipe.

Keep scrolling to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and recipe instructions.

Alternatively, you could cut the tofu into cubes, strips, smaller triangles, or any other shape of your liking around a similar thickness. You could also use a fork to tear the tofu into a ‘ground’ consistency.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• To make the tofu more tender: Freeze and thaw it before carrying out the recipe. This process makes for a chewier, more tender tofu texture.
• The cooking time will vary: Based on whether you prefer tender-crisp or tender veggies.
• Adjust the consistency: Based on the shape of the tofu and how you cut the veggies.
• For crispier tofu: Dust it in cornstarch before pan-frying and cook it untouched until golden and crispy on all sides.
• Tweak the sauce ingredients: Add more soy sauce for salty flavor, maple for sweetness, lemon juice for tang, etc.

FAQs

What To Serve With Lemon Basil Tofu?

If you want a light meal, enjoy this lemon basil tofu alone. However, I enjoy mine alongside brown rice (how to make brown rice) or quinoa (a complete guide to quinoa) for more of a complete meal. It also works well with noodles, like rice noodles, tossed in with the stir fry.

For a lower-carb option, vegan mashed cauliflower would work, or you can even serve them in delicious tofu lettuce wraps with peanut sauce. Ramp up the meal further with extra sauteed or baked vegetables, too.

Storage Instructions

Allow any leftover Thai basil tofu to cool and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing the dish, as the veggies will become mushy/watery upon thawing.

Reheat the Thai tofu stir-fry in the microwave or gently on the stovetop until heated.