Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu
A flavorful Chinese-inspired stir-fry featuring soft silken tofu simmered in a spicy, savory sauce with ground pork and aromatic spices. This chinese-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs (170 g) ground pork, vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
- 14 oz (400 g), cut into 1-inch cubes silken tofu
- 6 oz (170 g) ground pork
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, minced ginger
- 2 tbsp doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp, dissolved in 2 tbsp water cornstarch
- 1 tsp, toasted and ground sichuan peppercorns
- 2, sliced scallions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp minced ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 6 oz ground pork, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp doubanjiang and cook for 1 minute until the oil turns red and the aroma intensifies.
- Step 4: Gently add 14 oz silken tofu cubes, being careful not to break them, and pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 2 tbsp soy sauce. Simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Step 5: Stir in 1 tsp dissolved cornstarch mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the tofu.
- Step 6: Sprinkle 1 tsp toasted ground sichuan peppercorns and 2 sliced scallions, drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil, and gently stir to combine. Serve hot over steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu 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 Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu?
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 (170 g) ground pork from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu?
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 Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu 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 Spiced Mapo Tofu Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu?
Chinese stir fry 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.
