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Mapo Tofu in a big skillet
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4.80 from 5 votes

Mapo Tofu Recipe

This mapo tofu recipe is a popular Chinese dish from the Sichuan province of tofu and pork or beef stir fried in a spicy chili-bean sauce.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: doubanjiang, ground pork, Sichuan, spicy, tofu
Servings: 4
Calories: 391kcal

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces firm tofu cut into small cubes (use 1 pack)
  • 2 tablespoons peanut oil divided (or use chili oil)
  • 8 ounces ground pork or use ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons doubanjiang Chinese chili-bean paste
  • 1-2 hot peppers chopped
  • 4 green onions chopped (white and green parts)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese 5 Spice optional
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock or more, as desired
  • 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch plus 2 tablespoons water

FOR SERVING

  • 1 teaspoon sichuan peppercorns crushed or ground
  • Spicy chili flakes
  • Chopped scallions or green onion or other chopped fresh herbs
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame oil
  • Steamed rice

Instructions

  • Bring a small pot of water to a boil with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the cubed tofu and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • While the tofu is blanching, heat 1 tablespoon peanut oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Cook the pork for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside.
  • Heat the remaining peanut oil in the pan or wok. Add the doubanjiang and stir. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the hot peppers, green onions, garlic, ginger and Chinese 5 Spice (if using). Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
  • Stir in the the chicken stock and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Stir in the tofu and reserved pork and simmer another 5 minutes.
  • Stir the cornstarch with the water to form a slurry. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and gently stir. The sauce will thicken up quickly.
  • Sprinkle with ground Sichuan peppercorn to taste, drizzle with sesame oil, and garnish with scallions and extra chili flakes. Serve the mapo tofu over steamed rice, if desired.

Notes

Calories estimates without steamed rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 241IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 3mg