Back Pocket Stir Fry with Noodles Recipe
This Back Pocket Stir Fry with Noodles is a quick and flavorful dish featuring crispy tofu, fresh vegetables, and brown rice noodles tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy homemade stir fry sauce. It’s perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, delivering satisfying textures and vibrant flavors with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Stir Fry Basics:
- 7 ounces brown rice noodles
- 1 (14 oz) package tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for sautéing
- 3–4 cups chopped vegetables (such as a fresh stir fry mix)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Peanuts, cilantro, and lime, for serving
Shake-in-a-Jar Stir Fry Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
- 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 2–3 tablespoons white vinegar, to taste
- 1 teaspoon chili paste, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a jar or bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, water, white vinegar, and chili paste. Shake or whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Noodles: Place the brown rice noodles in a bowl of warm water and let them soak until softened, about 10 minutes, then drain.
- Cook the Tofu: Press the tofu with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Cut into cubes. Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tofu cubes until golden brown on all sides. Add a small amount of the prepared sauce while frying to help form a flavorful crust. Once browned, transfer tofu to a bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Using the same pan, add a little more olive oil if needed. Add chopped vegetables and minced garlic. Stir fry over medium-high heat until vegetables are tender-crisp, about 4-6 minutes.
- Combine Noodles and Sauce: Drain the soaked noodles and add them to the pan with the vegetables. Pour about half of the sauce over them and stir-fry everything together until noodles are heated through and coated evenly with sauce.
- Add Tofu and Serve: Return the cooked tofu to the pan, gently tossing to combine all ingredients. Serve the stir fry topped with peanuts, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime for brightness.
Notes
- Pressing tofu is essential to get a crispy texture and prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Adjust the amount of chili paste according to your preferred spice level.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free version.
- You can swap the vegetables with any favorite stir fry vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or broccoli.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture of noodles and tofu.
Keywords: tofu stir fry, brown rice noodles, vegetarian stir fry, quick dinner, easy stir fry sauce, healthy Asian recipe
