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This Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry will be your new go-to dish when in need of something super quick and easy yet flavorful and belly-filling at the same time! It is perfect for hectic weeknights, lazy weekends, or middle-of-the-night sudden cravings. An Asian-inspired dish of meaty mushrooms, crunchy asparagus and perfectly golden tofu cubes made in less than 15 minutes, including prep time!
A Healthy Meatless Meal!
Served on a bed of rice, this fuss-free stir fry dish becomes the perfect vegan lunch or dinner replete with carbs, plant proteins, and a multitude of vitamins and nutrients from all the vegetables used! A nutritious all-in-one dish that will fill you right up but not make you feel sluggish afterward. The tofu and veggies are stir-fried in a mildly spicy and savory soy-sesame sauce, making it super flavorful. This recipe is loved by everyone – even meat-eaters will ask for seconds! And if you’re looking for more delicious tofu recipes, we’ve got 16 Savory Tofu recipes you need to try!
Ingredients Needed to Make Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry
- Olive oil and Sesame oil – these flavorful oils are great for stir-frying as they can withstand high heat but still retain their flavors. The sesame oil adds a nutty taste to the dish.
- Aromatics – garlic and ginger are the quintessential base for many Asian-style cooking, including this dish.
- Red pepper flakes – A pinch to add a delightful punch of heat. You can add more if you like it spicier or omit it if you are not into spicy food.
- Green Onions – Aside from making the dish look prettier, it offers a fresh crunch and subtle bite.
- Shallot – It gives a little punch of onion flavor but much sweeter.
- Asparagus – These edible shoots develop a sweet and nutty flavor as they roast in the pan. They also have a crisp-tender bite into them that is quite addicting!
- Shiitake mushrooms – they have the perfect ‘meaty ‘texture and savory flavor! So good with the crunchy asparagus and soft tofu!
- Tofu – this vegan protein will absorb the delicious sauce! Crisp on the outside and soft inside, bursting with flavors in each bite. If you’re new to cooking with tofu, here’s a great guide to cooking with this amazing versatile food!
- Soy sauce – provides a great umami taste to the dish.
- Cooked rice – for serving.
Preparations needed
- Clean and trim the asparagus. You need to remove the hard, woody end because they are bitter and inedible. To quickly do this, just bend it gently at the bottom part and allow it to snap. This method helps you keep just the tender and edible parts. To clean, you can soak the trimmed asparagus in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes.
- Clean the Shiitake mushrooms. Do not soak them in water! They are notorious for soaking up liquid which is not good when stir-frying. Get a wet towel instead and rub the surfaces to clean them.
- Drain and Press Tofu. Drain the liquid from the package, then press to remove excess water. It is easier if you have a tofu press, but if not, you can press it down with a heavy plate or a chopping board. Use a paper towel and pat dry, then slice them into cubes. If you’d like more guidance on pressing tofu, we’ve got a Guide to Tofu Pressing that you might find helpful.
How to Make the Best Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry
- Heat the pan or wok over high heat. Pour sesame and olive oil into the hot pan. Add the aromatics and red pepper flakes. Stir until tender and fragrant.
- Add green onions, shallots, asparagus, and mushrooms and stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Lastly, throw in tofu and soy sauce. Give a quick stir for 3 minutes until the tofu has a golden brown color.
- Serve hot over plain rice.
Helpful Tips for You!
- Prep and cut your veggies and get everything prepared and within your reach before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a very quick process so we want all the ingredients ready before heating up the pan.
- Make sure that your veggies and tofu are drained and dried thoroughly. Otherwise, they will create steam and will turn out soggy and unappetizing.
- Do not cover-crowd your pan too! The veggies and tofu needs to be exposed to the pan’s hot surface to get that perfect sear. Also, adding too much on you pan will affect the temperature, which is detrimental to stir-fry recipes like this.
Serving Suggestions
This Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry is really versatile dish! Aside from serving it on a bed of rice, you can enjoy it in various ways too. A dish like this can be added to your weekly meal rotation without everyone getting tired of it.
- If you want to go for a low-carb option, you can serve it with cauliflower rice, brown rice, or other grains like quinoa or couscous.
- Serve the stir-fried veggies over noodles. You’ll thank me later since this is a surefire winner.
- You can also use this as a filling for tortilla wraps, pita, or naan to make a quick, on-the-go lunch for you or your kids!
Storing Leftover Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry
Leftover stir-fried veggies can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Make sure to eat it within four days. If you don’t plan on eating it right away, put it in the freezer. It should last for around 2 months. You can reheat this stir-fried shiitake asparagus tofu in the microwave or stovetop. Add a little sesame oil and have a quick stir on the pan.
Other Stir-Fry Recipe Ideas for you!
- Spicy Sesame Tofu Stir-fry – Everything you love about a stir fry is in this dish. Snow peas are sweet and crisp, and tofu is rich and filling, all in one bowl.
- Udon Edamame Stir Fry – If you’re looking for a Japanese-inspired dish, this will be a great addition. Stir-frying udon with edamame is one of the most exciting and entertaining ways to cook.
- Succulent Stir Fry – This recipe provides a hearty meal. A smattering of vibrant veggies that have been perfectly cooked. The sauce, oh, the sauce!!! Speechless!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Shiitake Asparagus Tofu Stir-fry
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon of olive oil
- ½ teaspoon of sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 shallot thinly sliced
- 1 cup of asparagus chopped
- 1 cup of shiitake mushrooms sliced
- 1 14-ounce package of extra firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cubed
- 1 Tablespoon of soy sauce
- Rice for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In the large pan over high heat, heat the olive and sesame oils. Add the garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes and stir-fry for 1 minute.
- Add the onions, shallots, asparagus, and mushrooms and stir-fry for 2 minutes.
- Add the tofu and soy sauce and stir-fry for 3 minutes until tofu goldens.
- Optionally, serve over rice.
Notes
- Prep and cut your veggies and get everything prepared and within your reach before you start cooking. Stir-frying is a very quick process so we want all the ingredients ready before heating up the pan.
- Make sure that your veggies and tofu are drained and dried thoroughly. Otherwise, they will create steam and will turn out soggy and unappetizing.
- Do not cover-crowd your pan too! The veggies and tofu needs to be exposed to the pan’s hot surface to get that perfect sear. Also, adding too much on you pan will affect the temperature, which is detrimental to stir-fry recipes like this.
I haven’t tried this yet but it looks amazing. Definitely saving it. Now when it calls for sesame oil, is it toasted or regular?
Regular works! Hope you enjoy it. It’s a yummy one!