Spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu
Velvety tofu in a bold Sichuan sauce with fermented black beans, chili oil, and numbing Sichuan peppercorns. This chinese-inspired vegetarian ready in about 35 minutes pairs block, cubed firm tofu, ground pork, minced fermented black beans 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. 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 block, cubed firm tofu
- 1/2 lb ground pork
- 2 tbsp, minced fermented black beans
- 1 tsp, crushed Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 tbsp doubanjiang
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp mixed with 2 tbsp water cornstarch
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok. Add ground pork and cook until browned. Stir in minced garlic, fermented black beans, doubanjiang, soy sauce, and chili oil. Cook 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add cubed tofu and gently stir to coat in sauce. Simmer 5 minutes until tofu absorbs flavors.
- Step 3: Sprinkle crushed Sichuan peppercorns. Mix in cornstarch slurry until sauce thickens and glossy. Serve immediately with rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Spicy Sichuan Mapo 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 block, cubed firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Sichuan Mapo 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 Spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu 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 Spicy Sichuan Mapo Tofu?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
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