Easy Mapo Tofu Recipe

Easy Mapo Tofu Recipe is a classic Sichuan dish known for its bold flavors and distinctive spiciness. This dish features silken tofu cooked in a fragrant sauce made from ground pork, Doubanjiang (fermented spicy beans sauce), and a blend of ingredients, which adds a unique numbing heat. Often served over steamed rice, Mapo Tofu is not only a comforting meal but also a vibrant representation of Sichuan cuisine, perfect for those who love adventurous and flavorful dishes.

Mapo Tofu Ingredients

For the sauce

• 1-2 Tablespoon Doubanjiang, fermented spicy bean sauce, sometimes also called “Toban Djan” (you can adjust the spiciness if you like it more or less)
• ½ teaspoon Cornstarch
• 1 Tablespoon Mirin
• 1 Tablespoon Oyster sauce
• ⅓ cup Water
• ½ teaspoon Soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon Roasted sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon sugar

All other ingredients

• 1 Tablespoon Neutral oil
• 100 g Ground pork
• 200 g Silken/soft Tofu, cubed
• 1 Tablespoon Ginger, minced
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup Green onions, chopped
• 1 Dried chilli

How to Make Mapo Tofu

1. Start by putting all the sauce ingredients into a bowl and mixing it well. Reserve.
2. In a deep pan, add the oil, ginger and garlic (and dried chilli). Cook it in medium-high heat for a minute. Careful to not burn the garlic.
3. Add the minced pork and stir it until it is fully cooked. It should take between 6-8 minutes.
4. Add all the sauce at once and mix it well. Bring the sauce to a boil.
5. Once the sauce is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and add the tofu. Be careful with the mixing, so the tofu maintains its integrity. But make sure to cover the tofu with the sauce.
6. Let it simmer for about 3-5minutes and add the green onions. Mix it everything well and cook it for another minute.
7. Serve it immediately on top of rice.

Recipe Tips

• Use silken or soft tofu for the best texture, but you can also use medium-firm tofu for more structure if you prefer.
• Sauté the ground pork until it’s browned to enhance the flavor before adding other ingredients.
• Adjust the amount of spiciness by controlling the quantity of doubanjiang (fermented bean paste) to level according to your taste.

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