Weeknight Mapo Tofu
type: Recipe
headline: Weeknight Mapo Tofu with Accessible Substitutions
description: Make a simplified mapo tofu with tofu, pork or mushrooms, garlic, ginger, chili bean paste, and fallback options for Western groceries.
author: Chinese Food at Home
language: en
recipe cuisine: Chinese
recipe category: Main dish
keywords: tofu, saucy, rice-bowl, spicy
recipe yield: 3 servings
prep time: PT12M
cook time: PT18M
total time: PT30M
recipe ingredient: tofu: 450 g / 1 lb.
recipe ingredient: ground pork: 150 g / 5 oz (optional).
recipe ingredient: doubanjiang: 1 to 2 tbsp. Substitution: Use chili crisp plus soy sauce for an accessible but less traditional version.
recipe ingredient: soy sauce: 1 tbsp.
recipe ingredient: garlic: 3 cloves.
recipe ingredient: ginger: 1 tbsp grated.
recipe ingredient: green onion: 2.
recipe ingredient: cornstarch: 1 tbsp.
recipe ingredient: Sichuan peppercorn: 1 tsp ground (optional).
recipe ingredient: rice: Cooked rice, to serve (optional).
recipe instructions: Prepare the tofu
  type: HowToStep
  text: Cut tofu into cubes. Simmer briefly in salted water if you want it firmer, then drain.
recipe instructions: Build the sauce
  type: HowToStep
  text: Brown pork if using. Add doubanjiang, garlic, and ginger, then stir until fragrant.
recipe instructions: Simmer and thicken
  type: HowToStep
  text: Add tofu, soy sauce, and water. Simmer gently, then thicken with cornstarch slurry. Finish with green onion.
main entity of page: https://cnfoods.top/recipes/weeknight-mapo-tofu/
about: Tofu
about: Doubanjiang
about: Ground pork
mentions: Firm tofu is usually easier for beginners than silken tofu.
mentions: Doubanjiang is easiest to find in Asian grocery stores or online.
mentions: Use chili crisp plus soy sauce if doubanjiang is unavailable.
mentions: Skip pork or replace it with chopped mushrooms for a vegetarian version.
mentions: Sichuan peppercorn is optional but gives the classic numbing aroma.
mentions: Tofu: Firm tofu, Medium tofu, Extra-firm tofu. Silken tofu is traditional in some versions but harder to handle; firm tofu is safer for beginners.
mentions: Doubanjiang: Chili crisp plus soy sauce, Miso plus chili oil, Sriracha plus soy sauce. Fallbacks are less traditional but keep the dish spicy, salty, and savory.
mentions: Ground pork: Chopped mushrooms, Plant-based mince, Skip and add extra tofu. Mushrooms are the best vegetarian substitute because they brown and add umami.

faq
type: FAQPage
main entity of page: https://cnfoods.top/recipes/weeknight-mapo-tofu/
language: en
main entity: Can I make mapo tofu without doubanjiang?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes, but it will be less traditional. Chili crisp plus soy sauce is the easiest substitute for an accessible weeknight version.
main entity: Is mapo tofu always very spicy?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: No. Start with one tablespoon of chili bean paste and leave chili crisp on the side if you want moderate heat.
main entity: Can mapo tofu be vegetarian?
  type: Question
  accepted answer: Answer
    text: Yes. Replace pork with chopped mushrooms and use vegetarian sauces.

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item list element: Weeknight Mapo Tofu
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