• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Richa
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • (new) Recipe Filters
    • Popular Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch / Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Indian
    • Instant Pot
    • Burgers
    • Pizza
    • Recipe Index
  • Videos
    • Instant Pot
    • Dessert
    • Holidays
    • Easy Vegan Meals
    • All Recipe Videos
  • CookBooks
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Cookbook(PREORDER NOW)
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen (Print & Digital)
    • Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen (Print & Digital)
  • Resources
    • How To Start A Food Blog
    • Resources for Food Bloggers
    • Vegan Subs & Resources
    • Our Vegan Journey and FAQs
    • Indian Pantry
    • Indian Dal / Lentil Names
  • Shop
  • About / Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • CookBooks
  • Shop
  • About
  • NEW! Instant Pot Cookbook
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Asian Vegan Recipes

    Sesame Shallot Soy Curl Stir Fry

    Published: Sep 19, 2021 by Richa 21 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    This Sesame Shallot Soy Curl Stir Fry makes for an amazing weeknight dinner! Chewy, marinated chicken like soycurls and broccolini in a sweet, salty and sticky Asian sesame stir-fry sauce! Nutfree Recipe Gluten-free option!

    two white bowls with sesame soy curl stir-fry served alongside white rice

    This Sesame Shallot Soy Curl Stir Fry makes for an amazing weeknight dinner that rivals any takeout meal. Soy curls marinated in a sweet-salty-spicy marinade, then stir-fried in sesame oil along with shallots and garlic. Chinese broccoli and Thai Basil are added along the way for that authentic flavor, and the rest of the marinade is also added to create a delicious stir-fry sauce. Serve this easy soy curl stir fry with rice, broccoli rice, zoodles or noodles!

    Asian soy curl stir fry sprinkled with sesame seeds

    Soy curls are one my favorite meat subs. They are made with whole non-gmo soybeans and you can find them in some stores or order them online on amazon.

    Thai Basil vs Sweet Basil

    For this recipe, we are using Thai basil! While you could use sweet basil I recommend you try and find the Thai kind. How to distinguish them? Thai basil has a purple stem while sweet basil has a green stem. Also check the leaves:  unlike the delicate, floppy big leaves you see on sweet basil, Thai basil leaves are smaller and sturdier. This means they hold up better during cooking making this basil ideal for stir-fries.

    Lastly, the taste: Thai basil is spicy with an anise, or licorice-like flavor, while sweet basil has a more mild peppery and sweet taste.

    close-up overhead of sesame shallot soy curl stir-fry with broccolini sprinkled with sesame seeds

    On cooking with soy curls:

    Soy Curls come dry and need to be rehydrated and cooked in order to enjoy them. They will increase in size quite a bit as they soak. You need to soak them in the marinade for only about 10 minutes.

    I marinade the soycurls in the sauce for the extra flavor and then toast them before adding the rest of the ingredients. This improves the texture! You’ve got to try them this way as this stir fry or my General Tsos soy curls!

    Soy curls are not same as soy chunks that are chewier and take much longer to cook. Soy curls can be found in some grocery stores or online on amazon.

    More Asian stir-fries:

    • Sticky ginger Sesame Tofu Veggie Stir fry
    • Hoisin Noodles and Tofu stir fry
    • Cashew Tofu and veggies
    • Soy-free tofu stir fry with sunbutter sauce
    • Lemongrass Tempeh with sesame noodles
    • Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Sesame Shallot Basil Stir Fry With Soycurls and Broccolini

    This Sesame Shallot Soy Curl Stir Fry makes for an amazing weeknight dinner! Chewy, marinated chicken like soycurls and broccolini in a sweet, salty and sticky Thai-inspired sesame stir-fry sauce! Gluten-free option! 
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Asian
    Keyword: recipe with soy curls, thai sesame shallot stir fry, vegan soycurls recipe
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 412kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    For the sauce:

    • 1/4 cup (60 ml) of soy sauce or use tamari for gluten-free
    • 1.5 teaspoons lime juice
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon sriracha or use sambal oelek
    • 1 cup (240 ml) hot water or hot broth

    For the stir fry

    • 4 ounces (113.4 g) dry soy curls
    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
    • 2 cloves of garlic minced
    • 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots or use red onion
    • 2 cups Chinese broccoli or broccolini chopped
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoon of water
    • 2 tablespoons of chopped Thai basil

    For garnish:

    • sesame seeds and green onion

    Instructions

    • Mix soy sauce, lime, maple and sriracha in a bowl.
    • Add 1 cup of hot water or broth and mix in. **Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade in another bowl to add later**. Then add in your soy curls to the marinade and mix and press in . Let them sit to soak while you prep the next step.
    • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame oil then add in your garlic and shallots and cook until golden.
    • Meanwhile, fish out the soy curls from the marinade or drain them through a strainer and keep the marinade.
    • Add the soy curls to the skillet and cook until the soy curls are golden on some edges.
    • Then add in your Chinese broccoli, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cook for a minute.
    • Add in the remaining sauce marinade (remaining in the bowl+ reserved). Add in cornstarch mixed with water and mix in.
    • Bring to a simmer. Add in the Thai basil. Let the sauce thicken for another minute or so then take off the heat. Taste and adjust salt and flavor and sweet. Top with sesame seeds and green onions and serve. Serve with rice or noodles or zoodles

    Video

    Notes

    • ** new added instruction. Sometimes soycurls absorb a lot of liquid and sometimes they absorb just enough. If they absorb too much you might not be left with much of the sauce so reserve some and then soak the soy curls. 
    • Use tofu or chickpeas to substitute soy curls. For tofu, use firm or extra firm(10 to 14 oz), press for 15 mins, then toss in cornstarch and bake at 400 deg F for 20 mins or pan fry to crisp. Add to the skillet after adding the sauce.
    • You can also use other bean curls! Look for “Wadi” in Indian stores made of moong dal, black-eyed peas, and other lentils/beans. The texture is different but they work equally well. Cook then according toninstruction on package then squeeze and toast in oil then proceed. You can also use seitan, TVP, soy chunks, beyond meat strips and other chickin subs.
    • When changing the protein, use 1/2 cup water in the marinade depending on what you use. You don’t need to soak tofu, chickpeas, beyond meat strips. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Sesame Shallot Basil Stir Fry With Soycurls and Broccolini
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 412 Calories from Fat 36
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4g6%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 1258mg55%
    Potassium 236mg7%
    Carbohydrates 51g17%
    Fiber 13g54%
    Sugar 27g30%
    Protein 26g52%
    Vitamin A 4296IU86%
    Vitamin C 227mg275%
    Calcium 396mg40%
    Iron 9mg50%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    ingredients needed for sesame soy curl stir-fry recipe

    Ingredients:

    For the sauce:

    • soy sauce for saltiness, use tamari for Glutenfree
    • lime juice for acidity
    • maple syrup for sweetness
    • sriracha or use sambal olek for spiciness
    • soy curls – rehydrated
    • toasted sesame oil adds a nice nuttiness to the dish
    • minced garlic and shallots
    • Chinese broccoli or broccolini add some color and crunch
    • the leftover marinade is thickened with cornstarch
    • Thai basil to brighten it up
    • sesame seeds and green onion for garnish

    Tips:

    • use tamari for gluten-free
    • You can also use other bean curls! Look for “Wadi” in Indian stores made of moong dal, black-eyed peas, and other lentils/beans. The texture is different but they work equally well. Cook then according toninstruction on package then squeeze and toast in oil then proceed. You can also use seitan, TVP, soy chunks, beyond meat strips and other chickin subs.
    • Use tofu or chickpeas to substitute soy curls. For tofu, use firm or extra firm(10 to 14 oz), press for 15 mins, then toss in cornstarch and bake at 400 deg F for 20 mins or pan fry to crisp. Add to the skillet after adding the sauce.

    How to make Soy Curl Stir-Fry

    Prep: Make the stir-fry sauce in a bowl by mixing all the ingredients. Add 1 cup of hot water or broth and mix in then add in your soy curls and soak while you prep the next step.

     

    garlic and onion sauteeing in a frying pan


    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sesame oil then add in your garlic and shallots and cook until golden.

    soy chunks in a frying pan with garlic and onions

    marinated soy chunks with garlic in a frying pan

    Meanwhile, fish out the soy curls from the marinade or drain them through a strainer and keep the marinade.

    Add the soy curls to the skillet and cook until the soy curls are golden on some edges.

    chinese broccoli and fried soy chunks in a sauteeing pan

    Then add in your Chinese broccoli, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cool for a minute. Add in the remaining sauce marinade. Add in cornstarch mixed with water and mix in.

    soy chunks sauteed with broccolini

    Bring to a simmer. Add in the Thai basil. Let the sauce thicken for another minute or so then take off the heat.

    soy chunks with broccolini and Thai basil in a sauteeing pan

    Taste and adjust salt and flavor and sweet. Top with sesame seeds and green onions and serve.

    a bowl with rice and soy curl stir-fry sprinkled with sesame seeds

     

     

    Sharing is caring!

    Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on Twitter Share on Email
    « Vegan Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies Gluten-free
    Easy Vegan Almond Flour Pie Crust (Low-Carb, Gluten-free, Grain-free) »


    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment and Rating Cancel reply

      If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online and I love hearing from you all!

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Sue

      January 05, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      5 stars
      Yummy recipe! Thanks Richa.

      Reply
      • Richa

        January 05, 2022 at 5:19 pm

        ❤️❤️

        Reply
    2. Tyanna L Johnston

      December 12, 2021 at 9:26 am

      5 stars
      This is a BIG 2 thumbs up! Super tasty!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        December 13, 2021 at 2:30 pm

        wow!! thank you ☺️

        Reply
    3. Kelly

      November 30, 2021 at 7:24 pm

      5 stars
      Incredibly delicious – all four members of my family loved this. Will definitely make again! Reduced the hot sauce slightly for my elementary age kids, wish I could make it full strength for us, but it was still flavorful and tasted fantastic.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        December 01, 2021 at 9:37 am

        glad all enjoyed though

        Reply
    4. Judi Kendall

      November 18, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely wonderful dish – this is a keeper! Thanks Richa!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        November 18, 2021 at 4:29 pm

        love finding those jems Judi

        Reply
    5. Kat

      October 05, 2021 at 4:18 pm

      5 stars
      This was my first time making soy curls, and my goodness it won’t be the last! Love everything about this recipe. Served it over brown rice one night and with noodles the next; it was fabulous both ways. Will definitely be making this recipe again!

      Reply
      • Richa

        October 05, 2021 at 5:48 pm

        Yay

        Reply
    6. Lucy

      September 22, 2021 at 7:37 am

      5 stars
      This recipe turned out great – used regular broccoli for the kids. Going to try bok choi next time. Definitely felt like a great take out meal without the cost. We always have bags of soy curls and rice in the pantry so this was easy and great for the school/work weeknight. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        September 23, 2021 at 11:18 am

        Perfect

        Reply
        • JJ

          October 14, 2021 at 5:46 pm

          5 stars
          Wow! Really good. Had not heard of soy curls but so glad to try them in this delicious recipe.

          Reply
    7. Donna

      September 21, 2021 at 5:15 pm

      Just a question…I weighed the curls and it came to 2 cups. But there was no extra sauce after. Is there normally sauce to thicken. Or did I use too of the soy curls?

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 21, 2021 at 5:45 pm

        That’s about right. Sometimes the soycurls are thicker and absorb more. You can add 1.5 cups of water for marinating. I usually get about half cup marinade left. Make another batch of the marinade to use as sauce with 1/4 cup water

        Reply
    8. Erin

      September 20, 2021 at 3:41 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! I doubled the recipe for my family of 4 and subbed regular broccoli. Fast, easy and yummy. This will be in our regular meal rotation. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 20, 2021 at 3:50 pm

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    9. Sam Visser

      September 20, 2021 at 4:02 am

      This is gonna be a great takeaway meal for my workplace. Thanks a ton for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 20, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        ❤️❤️

        Reply
    10. Sue

      September 19, 2021 at 6:20 am

      This looks so good; I will add it to this month’s menu. Thanks for introducing me to soy curls ; we love them!

      Reply
      • Richa

        September 20, 2021 at 12:57 pm

        Awesome

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

    More about me →

    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International
    vegan richa cookbook flavor companion
    My exclusive 16 Spice Set
    Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen Cookbook Now Available everywhere where Books are Sold | VeganRicha.com
    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International

    FOLLOW US

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Vegan Richa 's Indian Kitchen Cookbook

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || IndieBound || Details & International

    Popular

    • 18 Best Vegan Recipes of 2022
    • Vegan Tofu Nuggets
    • Best Easy Vegan Recipes of 2021
    • Restaurant Style Aloo Gobi

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || Indigo || Book Depository

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Copyright and Disclaimers

    Resources

    • Indian dals/lentils names
    • Indian pantry
    • Our vegan journey
    • Vegan Substitutes

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Things
    • Advertise, Work With Me

    Cookbooks

    • Vegan Richa’s Indian kitchen cookbook
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday kitchen cookbook 
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Book

    All content on this blog is owned by Vegan Richa LLC.  Links on some posts are affiliate links for e.g. we are participant in Amazon services LLC Associates program. Vegan Richa is monetized in part through the use of such affiliate links. More Details

    Copyright © 2021 Vegan Richa