Tofu Recipes
Mapo Tofu Recipe
This authentic mapo tofu recipe combines silky tofu and ground beef in a rich Sichuan-style sauce made with doubanjiang, fermented black beans, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. The result is a bold, spicy, and numbing dish that is perfect served with steamed rice.
- Total
- 20 Minutes
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Tofu Recipes
- Method
- Steaming
- Total Time
- 20 Minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Main Ingredient
- Soft Tofu
About This Recipe
This authentic mapo tofu recipe combines silky tofu and ground beef in a rich Sichuan-style sauce made with doubanjiang, fermented black beans, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. The result is a bold, spicy, and numbing dish that is perfect served with steamed rice.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 20 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
- Breaks the method into manageable steps instead of assuming you already know the technique.
- Helpful for practicing timing, heat control, and the order of adding ingredients.
- Shows a practical way to cook meat with clear preparation and cooking cues.
- Gives the dish a clear spicy and numbing flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
Ingredients
- 400g Soft Tofu
- 100g Ground Beef
- 30g Pixian Doubanjiang
- 10g Shaoxing Rice Wine
- 10g Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Minced Ginger
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 5g Fermented Black Beans
- 5g Chili Flakes
- 5g Sugar
- 2g Sichuan Peppercorns
- 1 stalk Garlic Chives
- To taste Salt
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust.
Soft Tofu
Tofu absorbs surrounding flavors, so sauce, broth, and aromatics matter more than heavy seasoning.
Ground Beef
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Pixian Doubanjiang
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Shaoxing Rice Wine
Rice wine adds aroma and helps soften stronger flavors in Chinese home cooking.
Ingredients & Techniques Used in This Recipe
These guides explain the key sauces, ingredients, and cooking techniques used in this recipe, so you can understand the dish instead of only following steps.
Sauce
Doubanjiang
Fermented chili bean paste that gives Sichuan dishes savory heat and depth.
Sauce
Shaoxing Wine
Chinese cooking wine used in marinades, stir-fries, braises, and sauces.
Sauce
Light Soy Sauce
The everyday soy sauce for salt, umami, marinades, and stir-fry seasoning.
Ingredient
Sichuan Peppercorn
The citrusy, numbing spice behind many Sichuan dishes.
Ingredient
Silken Tofu
Soft tofu used in soups, steamed dishes, mapo tofu, and gentle sauces.
Ingredient
Chinese Chives
A garlicky green used in dumplings, eggs, stir-fries, and fillings.
Technique
How to Steam Chinese Food
Understand Chinese steaming for fish, eggs, tofu, buns, and vegetables.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cooking Tips
- Blanching the tofu helps it hold its shape during cooking.
- Use freshly toasted Sichuan peppercorns for the best aroma and numbing flavor.
- Simmer the tofu gently to avoid breaking the cubes.
- Add the final pepper powder after cooking to preserve its fragrance.
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Use it as a small side dish with congee, noodles, dumplings, or a rich braised main.
- A small portion can brighten heavier dishes because the sour, salty flavor cuts through richness.
Recipe Card
This authentic mapo tofu recipe combines silky tofu and ground beef in a rich Sichuan-style sauce made with doubanjiang, fermented black beans, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns. The result is a bold, spicy, and numbing dish that is perfect served with steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 400g Soft Tofu
- 100g Ground Beef
- 30g Pixian Doubanjiang
- 10g Shaoxing Rice Wine
- 10g Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Minced Ginger
- 1 tbsp Minced Garlic
- 5g Fermented Black Beans
- 5g Chili Flakes
- 5g Sugar
- 2g Sichuan Peppercorns
- 1 stalk Garlic Chives
- To taste Salt
Method
More Chinese Recipe Guides
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