Chinese Cuisine

Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili

A quick and flavorful home-style stir-fry featuring chewy dried tofu, fresh green onions, and spicy chilies. Simple ingredients come together in just minutes for a savory side dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

Total
10 minutes
Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili finished dish
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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine
Chinese
Category
Chinese Cuisine
Method
Stir-fry
Total Time
10 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
Main Ingredient
Dried Tofu

Introduction

A quick and flavorful home-style stir-fry featuring chewy dried tofu, fresh green onions, and spicy chilies. Simple ingredients come together in just minutes for a savory side dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

This Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 10 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
  • Beginner-friendly enough for cooks who are still building confidence in the kitchen.
  • Helpful for practicing timing, heat control, and the order of adding ingredients.
  • A useful tofu recipe for learning how texture and seasoning work together.
  • Gives the dish a clear savory flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces Dried Tofu
  • 3 Small Red Chilies
  • 70g Green Onions
  • 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Water
  • 1 tbsp Cooking Oil

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.

Dried Tofu

Tofu absorbs surrounding flavors, so sauce, broth, and aromatics matter more than heavy seasoning.

Small Red Chilies

Chilies or peppers add aroma, color, and heat; adjust the amount to fit your table.

Green Onions

Scallions add freshness and are useful both as an aromatic base and as a finishing flavor.

Light Soy Sauce

Soy sauce seasons the dish with salt and umami while helping the sauce taste more rounded.

Salt

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Water

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Wash the green onions, drain well, and cut them into 4–5 cm segments.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 1: Wash the green onions, drain well, and cut them into 4–5 cm segments.
  2. Step 2

    Cut the dried tofu into thin strips.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 2: Cut the dried tofu into thin strips.
  3. Step 3

    Slice the small chilies into thin rounds.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 3: Slice the small chilies into thin rounds.
  4. Step 4

    Heat the cooking oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the sliced chilies and stir-fry until fragrant.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 4: Heat the cooking oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the sliced chilies and stir-
  5. Step 5

    Add the dried tofu strips and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until evenly coated with the chili-infused oil.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 5: Add the dried tofu strips and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until evenly coated with
  6. Step 6

    Add the soy sauce and stir well to season the tofu.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 6: Add the soy sauce and stir well to season the tofu.
  7. Step 7

    Pour in the water and cook briefly until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the tofu becomes tender.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 7: Pour in the water and cook briefly until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the t
  8. Step 8

    Add the green onion segments and stir-fry quickly over high heat until just wilted.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 8: Add the green onion segments and stir-fry quickly over high heat until just wilt
  9. Step 9

    Season with salt to taste and toss everything together evenly.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 9: Season with salt to taste and toss everything together evenly.
  10. Step 10

    Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot.

    Stir-Fried Dried Tofu with Green Onions and Chili step 10: Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot.

Cooking Tips

  • Use fresh, firm dried tofu for the best chewy texture.
  • Add the green onions near the end of cooking to preserve their color and aroma.
  • Adjust the number of chilies according to your preferred spice level.
  • A splash of water helps the tofu absorb the seasonings and stay tender.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
  • Add a light soup or cold vegetable side if the stir-fry is salty, spicy, or saucy.
  • Keep rice or noodles ready before cooking because stir-fries are best served immediately.

Recipe Card

A quick and flavorful home-style stir-fry featuring chewy dried tofu, fresh green onions, and spicy chilies. Simple ingredients come together in just minutes for a savory side dish that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces Dried Tofu
  • 3 Small Red Chilies
  • 70g Green Onions
  • 1 tbsp Light Soy Sauce
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Water
  • 1 tbsp Cooking Oil

Method

  1. Wash the green onions, drain well, and cut them into 4–5 cm segments.
  2. Cut the dried tofu into thin strips.
  3. Slice the small chilies into thin rounds.
  4. Heat the cooking oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the sliced chilies and stir-fry until fragrant.
  5. Add the dried tofu strips and stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until evenly coated with the chili-infused oil.
  6. Add the soy sauce and stir well to season the tofu.
  7. Pour in the water and cook briefly until the liquid is mostly absorbed and the tofu becomes tender.
  8. Add the green onion segments and stir-fry quickly over high heat until just wilted.
  9. Season with salt to taste and toss everything together evenly.
  10. Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot.

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