Delicious & Easy Vegan Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles Stir Fry: Your New Go-To Weeknight Meal
Transform your weeknights with this incredibly easy and flavorful vegan broccoli tofu ramen noodles stir fry. Featuring less than 10 main ingredients and bathed in the best homemade stir fry sauce, this recipe promises a delicious, satisfying meal that your entire family will absolutely adore. Forget takeout; this quick, healthy, and utterly satisfying dish is about to become your new favorite!
Inspired by our popular Broccoli and Tofu Stir Fry recipe, this ramen variation takes everything you love about a quick, healthy, and flavorful vegan meal and combines it with the irresistible comfort of ramen noodles. It’s truly one of my absolute favorite easy vegan dinners, and I’m thrilled to share this elevated version with you today!
Why This Vegan Broccoli Tofu Ramen Stir Fry is a Must-Try
This broccoli tofu ramen stir fry stands out for several fantastic reasons:
- Minimal Ingredients: It requires less than 10 primary ingredients, making grocery shopping and meal prep a breeze.
- Effortlessly Easy: From prep to plate, this dish is designed for simplicity, perfect for busy evenings.
- Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly: A wholesome and delicious option that caters to plant-based diets without compromising on taste.
- Incredible Flavor: The combination of crispy tofu, tender-crisp broccoli, and a savory homemade stir fry sauce creates an unforgettable taste experience.
- Nutrient-Packed: Broccoli provides essential vitamins and fiber, while tofu offers a significant protein boost, making this a truly satisfying meal.
If you’ve been hesitant to try tofu in your cooking, this broccoli tofu ramen recipe is an excellent starting point. The crispy texture of the tofu, especially when paired with our rich stir fry sauce, is simply divine and will surely convert even the most skeptical eaters!
How to Make Delicious Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles
Crafting this flavorful vegan stir fry is a straightforward process when you break it down into a few key steps. Let’s start with the heart of any great stir fry: the aromatics.
The Foundation of Flavor: Ginger, Garlic, and Green Onions
To achieve that authentic, restaurant-quality “wow” flavor in your stir fry, fresh ginger and fresh garlic are absolutely non-negotiable. I stress this in nearly every stir fry recipe because it’s genuinely the secret to an aromatic and deeply savory base. Their pungent, warming notes infuse the entire dish, creating a complexity that dried spices simply cannot replicate. For an extra layer of freshness and mild oniony bite, we’ll also be incorporating chopped green onions.
Before you begin cooking, it’s always best to prep all your ingredients. Mince your garlic and ginger finely, and chop your green onions. Set these fragrant ingredients aside, ready to be added to the hot skillet. This practice, known as ‘mise en place,’ ensures a smooth and stress-free cooking experience, especially for stir-fries that cook quickly.
Selecting and Preparing Your Broccoli
Next up, prepare your fresh broccoli florets. For this recipe, we’ll use a generous 8 cups, ensuring plenty of vibrant green goodness in every bite. When it comes to stir-fries, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of using fresh broccoli. Frozen broccoli, while convenient for some dishes, tends to become mushy and watery when stir-fried, detracting significantly from the texture and overall quality of the meal. Fresh broccoli retains its satisfying bite and vibrant color, making it one of my absolute favorite vegetables to put in stir fry.
How to Cook Tofu for a Perfect Stir Fry
Once your vegetables are prepped and ready, it’s time to prepare the tofu – a crucial step for achieving that coveted crispy texture that makes this dish so delightful. Start by draining your blocks of extra-firm tofu thoroughly. The key to crispy tofu is removing as much excess moisture as possible. Place the tofu blocks between several layers of kitchen towels or paper towels, and then place something heavy (like a cast-iron skillet or a few cookbooks) on top. Let it press for at least 15-30 minutes; the longer, the better!
After pressing, dice the tofu into bite-sized chunks. Now, let’s talk about cooking methods to get that perfect crispy exterior:
- Air Fryer (Recommended): This is my absolute favorite method for super crispy tofu! Mist the diced tofu chunks lightly with olive oil spray (or a neutral oil like avocado oil). Also, mist the bottom of your air fryer basket to prevent sticking. Cook at the highest heat setting, shaking or checking every 5-10 minutes, until the tofu is golden brown and crispy on all sides. This usually takes between 20-30 minutes.
- Skillet Method: If you don’t have an air fryer, a hot skillet works wonderfully. After pressing and dicing, toss the tofu chunks with 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch (or enough to lightly coat all sides). This helps create a fantastic crust. Heat 2-3 tablespoons of sesame oil (or other high-heat oil) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 20 minutes, flipping occasionally until all sides are golden and crispy.
- Oven Method: For a hands-off approach, the oven is a great alternative. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the diced tofu cubes in a single layer. Spray generously with olive oil spray. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping the tofu halfway through, until golden and firm.
Sautéing the Vegetables & Aromatics
While your tofu is busy crisping up, you can get a head start on the vegetables. In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add your minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onions, and fresh broccoli florets. The fragrant aroma will immediately fill your kitchen!
Sauté these ingredients for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even cooking and to prevent the garlic from burning. At this stage, the broccoli should be tender-crisp – cooked through but still retaining a slight bite. Next, introduce half of your delicious homemade stir fry sauce to the skillet. Continue to cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the broccoli to absorb the incredible flavors of the sauce and become perfectly tender without turning mushy. This staggered cooking ensures your broccoli is just right when everything else is ready.
Perfecting Your Ramen Noodles
For this recipe, you’ll need 9 ounces of dried ramen noodles. Be sure to discard the included flavor packets, as we’ll be using our much more delicious and healthier homemade stir fry sauce to flavor the dish. As soon as you add the first half of the sauce to the broccoli, put a pot of water on to boil for your ramen noodles. Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, usually only a few minutes, until they are tender but still have a slight chew (al dente).
Bringing It All Together: The Final Stir Fry
Timing is everything in a stir fry! By the time your broccoli has reached its perfect tender-crisp stage, your crispy tofu and perfectly cooked ramen noodles should also be ready. Now for the grand finale: add the cooked ramen noodles, the golden-brown crispy tofu, and the remaining half of the homemade stir fry sauce to the skillet with the broccoli.
Stir everything together vigorously for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring that every strand of ramen, every piece of broccoli, and every chunk of tofu is beautifully coated in the rich, glossy sauce. This step allows all the flavors to meld together, creating a harmonious and incredibly tasty dish. The aromas filling your kitchen at this point will be simply irresistible!
Serve this fantastic Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles stir fry immediately. It’s truly delicious as is, showcasing the perfect balance of flavors and textures. For those who enjoy a little extra kick, a drizzle of sweet chili sauce on top elevates the dish even further. Either way, you’re in for a treat! The generous portion of crispy tofu adds wonderful protein, making this meal incredibly satisfying and hearty. The broccoli maintains a nice bite, complementing the tender ramen noodles beautifully.
Tips for a Perfect Vegan Ramen Stir Fry
- Mise en Place is Key: Gather and prepare all your ingredients (chop veggies, press tofu, mix sauce) before you start cooking. Stir-fries cook very quickly, so having everything ready prevents overcooking.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the tofu and vegetables in batches if necessary, to ensure they brown properly instead of steaming. This is crucial for texture.
- High Heat is Your Friend: A hot wok or skillet is essential for a good stir fry. This allows ingredients to sear quickly and maintain their texture.
- Adjust Sauce to Taste: Our homemade stir fry sauce is balanced, but feel free to adjust sweetness, saltiness, or spice levels to your preference. A dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes can add a lovely kick.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: Especially for ginger, garlic, and broccoli, fresh makes a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.
Variations & Customizations
One of the best things about this broccoli tofu ramen stir fry is how easily it can be adapted to your liking:
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking vegetables like sliced bell peppers, shredded carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, or baby corn.
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply use tamari instead of soy sauce in your homemade stir fry sauce, and opt for gluten-free ramen noodles.
- Nut-Free: The homemade stir fry sauce is inherently nut-free. If you’re sensitive to sesame, a neutral oil like avocado oil can be used instead of sesame oil for cooking, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- Extra Protein: For an even more protein-rich meal, consider adding shelled edamame to the stir fry or topping with chopped peanuts (if not avoiding nuts).
- Spicy Kick: Incorporate a dash of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger, or finish with a swirl of sriracha for those who love heat.
Storage and Reheating
This broccoli tofu ramen noodles recipe makes excellent leftovers! Store any uneaten portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave, stirring occasionally, or gently warm it in a skillet over medium heat. If reheating in a skillet, you might add a splash of water or vegetable broth to prevent sticking and rehydrate the noodles slightly.
You truly can’t go wrong with this recipe! The hearty chunks of perfectly cooked, crispy tofu, combined with the springy ramen noodles and tender-crisp broccoli, all enveloped in that amazing stir fry sauce, make for an incredibly satisfying meal. This dish has definitely earned its place in my regular stir fry recipe rotation!
Looking for more amazing vegan recipes using Ramen Noodles or other stir fry inspiration? Check out these other fantastic options:
- Sesame Garlic Ramen Noodles
- Ramen Noodle Stir Fry
- Cabbage Stir Fry
And for more of our favorites:
- Broccoli with Garlic Sauce tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout.
- Or try out this homemade orange sauce for making delicious orange tofu!
Give this Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles stir fry a try, and let me know what you think in the comments below!
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Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles Recipe
Broccoli Tofu Ramen Noodles
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Ingredients
- 2 14 oz each blocks extra firm tofu
- 8 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup minced fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup minced garlic
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 9 oz ramen noodles, flavor packets discarded
For the sauce
- 1 batch of this homemadestir fry sauce
Instructions
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Drain the tofu blocks and place between a dish towel. Place something heavy on it for a few minutes to drain out excess moisture.
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Dice tofu into chunks
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Next, start cooking the tofu. I used an air fryer, and misted the tofu chunks with olive oil spray. Also, mist the bottom of the air fryer basket before adding the tofu. This is my favorite way to make tofu as it is SUPER crispy, just check/shake every 5 – 10 minutes, and set to the highest heat, until crispy on all sides. It should take between 20 – 30 minutes. (see notes at the bottom for alternate ways to cook the tofu if you do not have an air fryer).
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While the tofu is cooking, mince the garlic and ginger. Chop up the green onions and fresh broccoli florets
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To a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, ginger, garlic, broccoli, and green onions
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Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring often
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Shake together a batch of the 3 ingredient stir fry sauce recipe
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Add half of the stir fry sauce to the skillet, and cook an additional 10 minutes
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Boil the water to cook the ramen noodles, and discard the flavor packets
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Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions
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Once the broccoli is done (should still have some texture and not mushy), add the cooked ramen noodles and finished tofu to the skillet, along with the last half of the stir fry sauce
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Stir and heat an additional 5 minutes, until everything is coated in sauce
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Serve and enjoy. We love it both with and without sweet chili sauce on top!
Notes
Alternate ways to cook the tofu
- In a skillet: Once the tofu is pressed/diced, toss it with 1 – 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, or enough to coat the tofu. Then pan fry with sesame oil until golden on all sides, around 20 or so minutes
- In the oven: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu cubes on it. Spray with olive oil spray and bake at 400 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes, flipping at least once.
Nutrition
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