Authentic Sichuan Spicy Mapo Tofu

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-26 · Updated 2026-03-26

A fiery Chinese dish featuring soft tofu in a bold sauce of fermented black beans, chili oil, and Sichuan peppercorns. This chinese-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs tofu, ground pork, fermented black beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb tofu
• 1/2 lb ground pork
• 2 tbsp fermented black beans
• 2 tbsp chili oil
• 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp grated ginger
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water starch

Instructions

1. Step 1: Press 1 lb tofu to remove moisture, then cut into 1-inch cubes. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet, add tofu, and sauté 3-4 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, cook 1/2 lb ground pork over medium heat until browned. Add 2 tbsp fermented black beans, 2 tbsp chili oil, 1 tsp Sichuan peppercorns, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry. Simmer 5 minutes until sauce thickens, then add tofu and stir to coat. Cook 2 minutes more before serving.