Jul 14 2026

Ma-po Tofu Recipe

Time30m
Serves4

Silky tofu & minced beef braised in spicy chili sauce

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

Sauce Ingredients

Method

Preparation

  1. 1

    Drain the silken tofu and cut it into cubes. Set aside carefully to prevent breaking.

  2. 2

    In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Set aside.

Cooking

  1. 3

    Heat the vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the minced beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Break it apart with a spatula as it cooks.

  2. 4

    Add the minced garlic and ginger to the pan. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

  3. 5

    Stir in the Doubanjiang and soy sauce, cooking for an additional 2 minutes to meld the flavors.

  4. 6

    Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Gently add the tofu cubes to the pan, simmering for another 5 minutes.

  5. 7

    Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Continue to simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

  6. 8

    Drizzle sesame oil over the dish and stir gently to combine.

Serving

  1. 9

    Serve the Ma-Po Tofu hot, garnished with sliced green onions and Sichuan peppercorns if desired.

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