Sichuan-Style Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Soft tofu and ground pork cooked in a bold, spicy Sichuan peppercorn sauce for a numbing and flavorful stir fry. This chinese-inspired game day ready in about 30 minutes pairs soft tofu, cubed, ground pork, vegetable oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 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 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 3 chopped scallions white parts, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 oz ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp doubanjiang and 1 tsp ground toasted Sichuan peppercorns, cooking for 1 minute to release aroma.
  4. Step 4: Gently add 14 oz cubed soft tofu, being careful not to break the cubes. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 tbsp soy sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
  5. Step 5: Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth, then slowly drizzle into the pan while stirring gently. Cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats tofu.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the dish. Serve hot over steamed white rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sichuan-Style Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry?

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 soft tofu, cubed from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sichuan-Style Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry?

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 Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Mapo Tofu Stir Fry?

Chinese game day 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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