Easy Mapo Tofu with Black Bean Sauce

Herman Au Photography/Getty Images
  • 40 mins
  • Prep: 25 mins,
  • Cook: 15 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
Ratings (5)

By Rhonda Parkinson

Updated 09/13/17

If you’re looking for a quick and easy version of Mapo Tofu, a classic Szechuan dish, try using store-bought black bean sauce, which takes the work out of chopping fermented black beans.

See Also

Classic Mapo Doufu (Mapo Tofu)
Kung Pao Chicken
Chicken With Red Chiles

What You'll Need

  • For the Marinade:
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • Pinch of cornstarch
  • For the Tofu and Pork:
  • 3/4 pound firm tofu
  • 1/4 pound ground pork
  • 2 green onions (scallions, spring onions)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tablespoons oil for stir-frying
  • 1/4 teaspoon chile paste with garlic
  • 2 tablespoons water (or chicken broth)
  • 2 tablespoons black bean sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorn (or ground coriander)

How to Make It

  1. Drain the tofu and cut into cubes. Marinate the ground pork in the soy sauce and cornstarch for 20 minutes.
  2. Wash the green onions and cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
  3. Heat the wok over medium-high to high heat. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the chile paste and the chopped garlic. Stir-fry until aromatic (about 30 seconds). Add the ground pork. Stir-fry until the pork is nearly cooked through.
  1. Lower the heat to medium, and add the black bean sauce and the tofu cubes. Cook over medium heat until the tofu is browned (8 to 10 minutes). Add water or chicken broth as needed. Stir in the green onion. Just before serving, sprinkle with the Szechuan peppercorn or ground coriander.
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
Calories 224
Total Fat 9 g
Saturated Fat 2 g
Unsaturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 25 mg
Sodium 377 mg
Carbohydrates 18 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Protein 20 g
(The nutrition information on our recipes is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. Individual results may vary.)