Dig into this savory and satisfying Asian classic that’s vegetarian-friendly!
For a few years, I followed a vegetarian diet. The only animal protein I ate was eggs, which meant a lot of fried rice dishes like this one. With a nourishing mix of tofu, beaten eggs, fresh ginger, colorful veggies, and rice, this homage to Asian cooking has never disappointed me. Tofu fried rice is ideal for vegetarians who are seeking a boost of protein without sacrificing flavor. It’s as savory and satisfying as takeout, but better because it ends up fresh and sizzling right on your very own stove. The whole house smells like ginger and garlic, a pleasant aroma that will attract all your loved ones to the kitchen.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve made tofu fried rice in my life. It’s just so easy to make and can be crafted with a wide variety of sauces and seasonings—once you’ve got the basic recipe down, that is. Once, I crafted tofu fried rice with a creamy peanut sauce, which made it extra luscious and reminiscent of Thai food. But you could also add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce for a little spark of heat. Whether you dish it out as is or with a tasty twist, this dish is sure to please your loved ones—especially when they crave Asian food. That rich umami flavor never disappoints!
What exactly is tofu?
When I was just starting my vegetarian diet, I didn’t know what tofu was. All I knew was that it filled me up and could carry all kinds of seasonings really well. It wasn’t until I went to a local Asian restaurant where the menu listed tofu as “bean curd”— the literal English translation of tofu—that I decided to find out more. That’s when I discovered that tofu is made by coagulating soy milk (which comes from soybeans) and then pressing the resulting curds into tofu. This process creates a hearty and satisfying plant protein for many different kinds of dishes.
How do I store leftovers?
As this recipe uses cold, cooked rice, which is then reheated again to create this dish, it’s best eaten straight away. Cooling and reheating rice a third time is not a good idea, so enjoy it while it’s at its best.
Serving suggestions
Dish out tofu fried rice with Avocado Egg Rolls, Vegetable Dumplings, and Asian-Inspired Roasted Broccoli. That’s the perfect balance of veggie-based dishes, in my opinion. But if vegetarian isn’t a requirement for you and your loved ones, then pair tofu fried rice with tangy Asian Garlic Shrimp. And if you’d like to jazz up your tofu fried rice the way I do, drizzle some luscious Peanut Sauce or Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce on top.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
- 8.8 ounces extra-firm tofu drained and cut into small cubes
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2-inch knob fresh ginger peeled and minced
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 large carrots peeled and chopped small
- 2 scallions thinly sliced (separate white/light green parts from dark green parts)
- 4 cups cold cooked white or brown rice
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Sriracha to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until it is lightly browned on all sides, about 5-8 minutes. Remove the tofu from the pan and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and scramble the eggs for about 2 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the eggs and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the pan. Sauté the garlic, ginger, onion, carrots, and the white/light green parts of the scallions for about 5 minutes until the carrots are tender but still crisp.
- Add the cold cooked rice, frozen corn, frozen peas, tofu, and eggs back into the pan. Stir in the sauce made by mixing soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sriracha. Cook for 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Garnish with the reserved dark green scallion slices. Serve the tofu fried rice hot.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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