Print

Easy Spicy Mapo Tofu Recipe with Silken Tofu Perfect for Beginners

spicy mapo tofu recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

A beginner-friendly, quick, and flavorful mapo tofu recipe using silken tofu that delivers bold, spicy, and numbing flavors with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 400g (14 oz) silken tofu
  • 150g (5 oz) ground pork or beef (optional, can be replaced with crumbled tempeh for vegetarian)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tbsp doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste)
  • 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, toasted and ground
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced thinly
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (cornstarch slurry)
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil (vegetable or canola)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: mince garlic, grate ginger, slice green onions, and cube silken tofu gently into about 1-inch pieces. Mix cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water. (10 minutes)
  2. Toast Sichuan peppercorns in a dry pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and grind finely. (5 minutes)
  3. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add ground pork or beef and cook until browned and crispy bits form, about 4-5 minutes, breaking up clumps. (5 minutes)
  4. Stir in minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 2 tbsp doubanjiang and stir well to coat the meat and release flavors. (1-2 minutes)
  5. Pour in 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer. (3 minutes)
  6. Carefully add silken tofu cubes to the sauce. Stir gently to coat without breaking tofu. Simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. (5 minutes)
  7. Slowly pour in cornstarch slurry while stirring gently. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy. (2 minutes)
  8. Drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish. Sprinkle ground Sichuan peppercorns and sliced green onions on top. Stir gently and remove from heat. (1 minute)
  9. Serve immediately over steamed rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables.

Notes

Handle silken tofu gently to avoid breaking it apart. Toast Sichuan peppercorns fresh for authentic numbing flavor. Adjust spice level by varying doubanjiang amount. Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free version. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently with added broth or water to restore sauce consistency.

Nutrition

Keywords: mapo tofu, spicy tofu, silken tofu recipe, easy Chinese recipe, Sichuan cuisine, beginner-friendly, quick dinner, tofu recipe, vegetarian option

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/easy-spicy-mapo-tofu-recipe-with-silken-tofu-perfect-for-beginners/