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mapo tofu recipe.

๐ŸŒถ️ Authentic Mapo Tofu Recipe

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

Mapo Tofu (้บปๅฉ†่ฑ†่…) 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!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Mapo Tofu Recipe

  • ๐ŸŒถ️ Bold and spicy with authentic Sichuan flavor
  • ๐Ÿง„ Loaded with garlic, ginger, and umami-rich sauces
  • ๐Ÿ•’ Quick weeknight dinner — ready in 25 minutes
  • ๐Ÿš Perfect over steamed rice
  • ๐ŸŒฑ Easy to make vegan or vegetarian

๐Ÿ“ 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)

๐Ÿฝ️ 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.

๐Ÿ‘ฉ‍๐Ÿณ 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

๐Ÿš 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

๐Ÿ“ฆ 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

๐Ÿ“Œ Pin It for Later!

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

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