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Skip the takeout and whip up this flavorful Thai Basil Tofu with Garlic & Jalapeno in just 20 minutes of cooking time. Made with minimal ingredients, it’s quick, easy, and packed with flavor – plus, you can make it completely vegan by simply swapping a couple of sauces for their plant-based counterparts.
Inspo for this Recipe!
This year, for my birthday, we celebrated with a family dinner at Bamboo Bistro in Corona del Mar, CA. Since my mother-in-law is vegetarian, I ordered a Thai Basil Tofu to share with her – and let’s just say, it was love at first bite.
I’ve had my fair share of Thai tofu dishes, but this one stood out since it consisted of sliced jalapenos. The spicy kick from jalapenos, fragrant garlic, and sweet basil was unforgettable – and I knew I had to recreate it at home.
This Thai basil tofu stir-fry is outrageously delicious, made with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients, and comes together with minimal prep in just 20 minutes.
Essential Sauces You Need for Thai Cooking
By now, I’ve perfected my fair share of Thai curries – think Thai Tofu Thai Red Curry, Vegetable Thai Green Curry, and Salmon Panang Curry – but when it came to stir-fry dishes, I was clueless about which sauces to stock up on.
After a brief internet search, I came across a “Sauces for Thai Cooking” post by Hot Thai Kitchen. It’s packed with brand comparisons, detailed explanations, and specific recommendations. I headed to my local Asian food store and purchased a few sauces, and bought the ones I was unable to find on Amazon.
Here’s What I Recommend:
- Fish Sauce: Fish sauce is a crucial component of Thai cuisine, lending a distinctive saltiness to dishes. Get the Red Boat Fish Sauce made with just 2 ingredients.
- Vegan Fish Sauce: If you’re a vegetarian/vegan, opt for Oceans Halo Vegan Fish Sauce.
- Oyster Sauce: Oyster sauce is not vegetarian. Pailin of Hot Thai Kitchen recommends two types of oyster sauce – you can choose either one.
- The first one is Thai Oyster Sauce Maekrua Brand.
- The second is Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce, a number one seller and a well-known Chinese brand. I tested this recipe with both brands, and I found the flavor to be slightly better with the latter (Lee Kum Kee).
- Vegan Oyster Sauce: If you’re a vegetarian, opt for Lee Kum Kee’s Vegan Flavored Oyster Sauce.
- Thai Thin Soy Sauce: A thin soy sauce is recommended for Thai cooking. Get the Healthy Boy Thai Mushroom Thin Soy Sauce. This soy sauce is made with soybeans and mushrooms, making it suitable for vegetarians.
- Vinegar: I used Kikkoman Rice Vinegar, but Ching’s Secret Chili Vinegar also works great.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy – easy to prep, ready in 20 minutes.
- Bursting with flavor – garlicky and spicy.
- Vegetarian/Vegan – use vegetarian/vegan sauces as mentioned above.
- Perfect for Weeknight Dinners – one-pot recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Extra-Firm Tofu – Feel free to use extra-firm or firm tofu. Ensure you press the tofu using a tofu press, or wrap it in a kitchen towel and place a heavy cast-iron pan on top of the tofu.
- Sauces – As mentioned above, you’ll need fish sauce (vegan works), oyster sauce (vegan works), light soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Coconut Sugar – I use coconut sugar for Thai cooking, but feel free to use palm sugar or brown sugar for this recipe.
- Thai Basil – You can find Thai basil leaves at an Asian grocery store. Alternatively, you may use regular basil; however, the flavor will be altered.
- Non-Veg Protein Options – If you don’t want to use tofu, consider chicken or shrimp as alternatives. Add a small amount of soy sauce to the chicken and shrimp before sautéing.
- Gluten-free – For a gluten-free option, ensure the sauces that you are using are gluten-free.
*See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.*
How to Make Thai Tofu Basil with Garlic & Jalapenos
Press Tofu & Prep Ingredients
Step 1. Press tofu for at least 10 minutes.
Step 2. In the meantime, prepare the sauce – add fish sauce, oyster sauce, light soy sauce, vinegar, coconut sugar, and water to a measuring cup. Whisk well.
Step 3. Also, slice onions, scallions, and jalapenos. Chop garlic. Set aside.
Step 4. Cube tofu so you end up with 32 cubes.
Saute Tofu
Step 5. Heat a pan on medium heat. Once hot, add 1/2 tbsp of oil, then add the cubed tofu.
Step 6. Sauté the tofu for 12-14 minutes, occasionally stirring, until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside in a bowl.
Cook Thai Tofu Basil with Garlic & Jalapeno
Step 7. Heat up the same nonstick pan on medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of oil. Once hot, add chopped garlic and sliced jalapeno. Sauté for a minute.
Step 8. Add sliced onions and scallions.
Step 9. Sauté for a minute, this is what you should have.
Step 10. Add the sauce that was prepared earlier.
Step 11. Simmer the sauce for 2 minutes.
Step 12. Add sauteed tofu. Stir for 2 minutes.
Step 13. Add Thai basil and turn off the stove. Stir for 1 minute until the basil has wilted.
Step 14. Enjoy with hot jasmine rice or noodles.
Nisha’s Tips
- Prep Ingredients – Prep all the ingredients before cooking. The tofu cook time is 12-14 minutes, whereas the Thai Basil Tofu with garlic and jalapenos requires a total cook time of just 6 minutes, so you need to work quickly. Total cooking time is 20 minutes.
- Tofu – Use extra-firm or firm tofu. Press the tofu before sautéing it, otherwise the texture will be soggy. Sauté until golden brown.
- More Spicy – Use 1 to 2 Thai chilies (chopped or slit) for an extra spicy kick.
Storage
Store leftovers in an air-tight container. They will last in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment & rate this recipe. That would mean so much to me. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I’m happy to share and mention you. Thank you!
Thai Basil Tofu with Garlic & Jalapeno
INGREDIENTS
Saute Tofu
- 1/2 tbsp oil
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu, pressed & cubed
Prepare Sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce, vegan works too
- 1/2 tbsp fish sauce, vegan works too
- 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp water
Cook Thai Tofu Basil
- 2 tbsp oil
- 6-7 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 whole jalapeno with seeds, sliced
- 3/4 cup onion, sliced
- 3/4 cup scallions, sliced
- add sauce
- add tofu
- 1/2 cup Thai basil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Press & Prep. Press tofu for 10 minutes. Whisk together fish sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, coconut sugar, and water. Slice onions, scallions, jalapeños, and chop garlic. Cube tofu into 32 pieces.
- Sauté Tofu. Heat ½ tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook tofu 12–14 mins until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Cook. In the same pan, heat 2 tbsp oil. Sauté garlic and jalapeños 1 min, then add onions and scallions. Pour in sauce; simmer 2 mins. Add tofu and stir 2 mins. Stir in Thai basil, turn off heat, and mix until wilted. Serve with jasmine rice or noodles.
NOTES
- Prep Ingredients – Prep all the ingredients before cooking. The tofu cook time is 12-14 minutes, whereas the Thai Basil Tofu with garlic and jalapenos requires a total cook time of 6 minutes.
- Tofu – Use extra-firm or firm tofu. Press the tofu before sautéing it, or else the texture will be soggy. Sauté until golden brown.
- More Spicy – Use 1-3 Thai green chilies for an extra spicy kick.
Luckily had every ingredient I needed. It vanished as quickly as it was made. Super quick weekday meal. Thank you for amazing recipes always!
Thanks so much Shruti. I’m so glad you enjoyed this dish, and you made it right away. It definitely hits the spot. 🙂