mapo tofu recipe.

🌶️ Authentic Mapo Tofu Recipe

A Fiery and Flavorful Sichuan Classic with Silky Tofu and Spicy Ground Meat

Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) is a beloved Chinese dish from the Sichuan province, known for its bold combination of numbing spice, umami, and silky textures. It features soft tofu simmered in a spicy chili bean sauce with ground meat, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. This restaurant-style mapo tofu is easy to make at home and ready in under 30 minutes!

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⭐ Why You’ll Love This Mapo Tofu Recipe

• 🌶️ Bold and spicy with authentic Sichuan flavor
• 🧄 Loaded with garlic, ginger, and umami-rich sauces
• 🕒 Quick weeknight dinner — ready in 25 minutes
• 🍚 Perfect over steamed rice
• 🌱 Easy to make vegan or vegetarian

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📝 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 300g (10 oz) silken or soft tofu, cut into cubes
• 150g (5 oz) ground pork or beef (or plant-based mince)
• 2 tbsp doubanjiang (chili bean paste)
• 1 tbsp fermented black beans (optional, for depth)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
• 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth or water
• 1–2 tbsp neutral oil (e.g., canola, peanut)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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🍽️ Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Tofu

• Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a gentle simmer.
• Add tofu cubes and cook for 2–3 minutes to firm up. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Aromatics & Meat

• Heat oil in a wok or deep pan over medium heat.
• Add ground meat, cook until browned.
• Add garlic, ginger, and doubanjiang. Stir-fry for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
• Add fermented black beans, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar.

Step 3: Simmer the Tofu

• Pour in broth or water and gently add tofu cubes.
• Simmer for 5–6 minutes, letting the tofu absorb flavor.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce

• Stir in cornstarch slurry, gently mixing until sauce thickens and coats the tofu.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

• Sprinkle with toasted, ground Sichuan peppercorns for the signature numbing heat.
• Garnish with chopped green onions.
• Serve hot over steamed rice.

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👩‍🍳 Tips & Variations

• Use silken tofu for softness or firm tofu for easier handling
• For vegan mapo tofu, replace meat with finely chopped mushrooms or plant-based mince
• Adjust heat level with more/less doubanjiang and peppercorn
• Add a dash of black vinegar or sesame oil for extra flavor

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🍚 What to Serve with Mapo Tofu

• Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice
• Stir-fried greens like bok choy or Chinese broccoli
• Cucumber salad or pickled vegetables for contrast

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📦 Storage & Meal Prep

• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days
• Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave
• Great for meal prep — sauce gets even better the next day

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📌 Pin It for Later!

Spicy. Umami-rich. Addictive.
Save this Mapo Tofu Recipe and bring bold Sichuan heat to your dinner table tonight!

 🌶️ Similar Recipes to Mapo Tofu Recipe :

1. Kung Pao Chicken Recipe
   A classic Sichuan stir-fry featuring diced chicken, peanuts, and chilies in a tangy-spicy sauce — bold and flavorful like Mapo Tofu.

2. Szechuan Beef Recipe
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3. Dan Dan Noodles Recipe
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4. Eggplant in Garlic Sauce Recipe
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5. General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
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