Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant, spicy Mapo Tofu featuring silky tofu cubes in a bold chili and bean sauce, balanced by numbing Szechuan peppercorns. This chinese-inspired vegetarian ready in about 25 minutes pairs ground pork, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 3 Chinese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 150 g ground pork and cook, breaking up the meat, for 4-5 minutes until browned and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp doubanjiang, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp minced ginger. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the oil becomes red and aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp soy sauce, bringing the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Gently add 400 g silken tofu cubes to the wok, carefully stirring to coat without breaking the tofu. Simmer for 5 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle 1 tsp toasted ground Szechuan peppercorns and 2 sliced scallions on top before serving hot with steamed rice.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground pork from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sichuan-Style Mapo Tofu with Silken Texture?

Chinese vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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