Get a ton of flavor with this easy Mapo Tofu recipe! In this traditional Sichuan dish, tender tofu and ground beef or pork are cooked in a spicy chili oil sauce. A great meal to make when you need a speedy and delicious dinner. It’s also packed with protein and low in calories. Finish it off with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of crushed Sichuan peppercorns, then serve with a bowl of steamed or fried rice for a warming and cozy meal.
People who are vegan can also cook this dish but just without any ground meat and use vegetable stock or water instead of chicken broth and increase the amount of tofu used. Alternatively, you could use shiitake mushrooms in place of the ground meat at the start of the recipe, then continue with the rest. I love how spicy it is, but feel free to lessen the amount of chili oil and chili bean paste if desired.
To make the Mapo Tofu, you will need the following ingredients:
In a large skillet over medium high heat, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, about 1 minute. Add ½ pound ground beef or ground pork and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Break up the meat into smaller pieces to ensure even browning.
Add 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger, 1 tablespoon chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (or to taste), ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper if using and stir well. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine, 2 tablespoons chili bean paste, ¼ cup chicken broth or water, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch and stir well until smooth. Simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens a bit, about 3-4 minutes.
Add in 1 pound cubed tofu and toss gently to coat. Alternatively, you can heat the cubed tofu in a pot of boiling water over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to firm it up a little, before adding it to the sauce.
Stir in ½ teaspoon sesame oil or chili oil and ¼ cup chopped green onions and simmer for 1 minute.
Serve immediately with a bowl of steamed rice. Enjoy!
This spicy and deeply satisfying Mapo Tofu is brimming with rich umami from Sichuan pepper and chili bean paste. It is also easy to make at home and tastes so delicious. Plus, it’s vegan adaptable! If you give this recipe a go, remember to tag us @cookmerecipes on Instagram – we love seeing your creations!
So easy! Love it!
Superb dish! Made it for my wife and she loved it. Just the right spice.
I whipped up this Mapo Tofu on a chilly night, and wow! The spice brought my taste buds to life. A true comfort food that’s so simple to make!
Mapo Tofu took me back to China with its flavors.
I made this Mapo Tofu last week for my hubby and it was a hit! So spicy and delish, just how we like it. Super quick to throw together after work too. Even my picky sister loved it. Def gonna whip it up again soon while we binge-watch our fave show
Superb recipe! My kids loved the spicy Mapo Tofu. It was a quick fix for dinner, and even my wife gave it a thumbs up! Can't wait to make it again.
I tried the Mapo Tofu recipe after a long day at work, and it was a lifesaver. The spiciness gave me a little kick I needed, and it was so simple to make. I substituted mushrooms for meat, and my vegan friends loved it. Definitely making this again!
I tried this Mapo Tofu last week, and it was truly a hit! The flavors are so bold and delicious. My husband typically doesn't like tofu, but he loved this. Will make again!
This Mapo Tofu is just superb mate! I whipped it up in no time after work, and wow, it was spicy yet comforting. Love that I can swap the meat with mushrooms too. Perfect for my veggie pals. Definitely a repeat in my kitchen!
I was super excited to try this Mapo Tofu! It was a hit with my husband and even my picky kids loved it! The spices made it super flavorful and so easy to prepare. A comforting meal for our family nights, I’ll definitely make it again!
I made this Mapo Tofu last week for my husband and me. It was a great hit! The flavors were superb, and I love how easy it was to prep. I added some shiitake mushrooms since we’re cutting back on meat. It still turned out so tasty! Perfect over rice for a cozy dinner.
Oh man, this Mapo Tofu is amazin'! I whipped it up for the fam last night and everyone was hooked. The spices are off the charts! Super easy to make and so tasty. Make it, you won’t regret it!
It's definitely one of the best 'gateway tofu' dishes. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
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