Quick and Easy Shortcut Mapo Tofu
Enjoy the bold, spicy flavors of traditional Mapo Tofu in a fraction of the time with this clever shortcut recipe. Silky tofu and savory ground pork are simmered in a rich, aromatic sauce for a satisfying weeknight meal that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.
Servings8 Portions
Prep Time5 Mins
Cook Time10 Mins
Difficulty
Easy
Ingredients
8
- ground pork6 oz
- silken tofu24 oz
- mapo tofu sauce packet7 oz
- water1 cup
- garlic cloves, minced5 clove
- ginger1 tbsp
- cornstarch2 tsp
- Sichuan peppercorn powder0.5 tsp
- scallions1 piece
Step-by-Step Instructions
01
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and cook until browned, using a wooden spatula to break the meat into small crumbles.
02
Add the minced ginger and garlic to the pork. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until the aromatics are fragrant and the pork is slightly crisped.
03
Stir in the Mapo Tofu seasoning packet until the meat is well coated. Pour in the water and increase the heat to high to bring the sauce to a boil.
04
Carefully cut the silken tofu into 1.5-inch cubes. Gently add them to the wok, using a folding motion with your spatula to incorporate the tofu without breaking the delicate cubes.
05
Mix the cornstarch with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry. Pour it into the wok and stir gently until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, perfectly coating the tofu.
06
Simmer for one final minute. Garnish with sliced scallions and a dusting of Sichuan peppercorn powder. Serve immediately over hot white rice.
