Mapo Tofu (Easy Home-Style Recipe)

Ingredients

• 14 oz pack of soft tofu, drained
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 oz. ground pork or beef
• 2 tbsp spicy chili bean paste (aka doubanjiang)
• 2 tsp sichuan peppercorn, grounded
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1/4 cups cornstarch, mixed with 6 tbsp water
• Salt, as desired
• Green onions, thinly sliced, as desired

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep the tofu: Carefully remove tofu from package...: Prep the tofu: Carefully remove tofu from package and drain. Cut into 1-inch cubes.

2. 2

   Cook the meat: Heat vegetable oil in a...: Cook the meat: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula.

3. 3

   Build the sauce: Turn heat to low. Stir...: Build the sauce: Turn heat to low. Stir in chili bean paste, ground Sichuan peppercorn, soy sauce, sugar, and minced garlic. Sauté until aromatic, about 30 seconds.

4. 4

   Add the tofu: Gently add tofu cubes to...: Add the tofu: Gently add tofu cubes to the pan and stir carefully so they don’t break apart. Coat evenly with the sauce.

5. 5

   Thicken the sauce: Pour in the cornstarch slurry...: Thicken the sauce: Pour in the cornstarch slurry and stir gently. Let simmer 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and the tofu absorbs the flavor.

6. 6

   Serve: Sprinkle with green onions and serve hot...: Serve: Sprinkle with green onions and serve hot with steamed rice.