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Mapo Tofu

This Mapo Tofu is super easy to make for your 15 minute meals. Protein rich, delicious and amazing for quick meals served with rice or quinoa. Even the pickiest member in your family will get into this refreshing take on Chinese comfort food.

Closeup view of the Mapo Tofu being prepared in a saucepan.

Trust me, no one would ever guess that this tofu recipe is 100% vegan, gluten free and yet deliciously flavorful, saucy and satisfying.

Tofu is amazing for getting protein into your diet. At the same time it is budget friendly, tastes out of this world delicious if done right.

And we are going to go it very right here.

A wooden spoon lifts up some tofu cubes and mushroom 'meat'.

As you know I’ve done magic with tofu recipes before. Just think of this Vegan Breakfast Burrito with Tofu Scramble or my Chinese 5 Spice Tofu Stir Fry for easy meals.

This Mapo Tofu will not disappoint you. It is hearty, meaty thanks to mushrooms, flavorful, satisfying, texture on point, versatile, healthy, protein rich, absolutely budget friendly, easy done and so delicious.

A light green bowl filled with rice and Mapo Tofu.

What is Mapo Tofu

Mapo tofu isn’t vegan. Instead it is made with pork. In my version I use hearty mushrooms for taste and texture which works fantastic. So good for texture, trust me it tastes so rewarding if not better than the classic.

What’s in this Mapo Tofu Sauce:

I used my Stir Fry Sauce which is made with simple ingredients like:

  • rice vinegar
  • tamari
  • garlic
  • sweet chili sauce
  • cornstarch

Boel of ready to eat portion of the dish, saucepan and cilantro in background.

Also you can use my Sweet Chili Sauce for serving for even more flavor but this is totally optional. It is super easy with pantry staples done like:

  • kecap manis
  • white vinegar
  • chili flakes
  • garlic

What you need for this Mapo Tofu:

  • tofu
  • scallions
  • sesame oil
  • ginger
  • mushrooms

Top view of the full dish.

How to make Mapo Tofu

First of all, heat a skillet with sesame oil. Add minced garlic and fry for 2 minutes, then add mushrooms, ginger, tofu, prepared stir fry sauce. Fry everything for 6 minutes further then finally give the scallions to the mix. Add optional sweet chili sauce for serving, and enjoy.

This makes such an amazing tofu stir fry that you don’t want to miss for dinner, lunch, meal prep, make ahead meals and so much more.

It is delicious plain or served with rice or quinoa.

Mapo Tofu top view on the filled pan and the bowl.

Baked tofu and meal prep tips:

This is such an amazing tofu idea as starting point for things like baked tofu that you can marinate with the stir fry sauce.

Cut the tofu into small cubes or slices and marinate overnight with the stir fry sauce. For more flavor use a bit sweet chili sauce and viola you have a fantastic tasting tofu which is done right.

You can put it on a sandwich, or use it for burgers, as part of nourish bowls and so much more which comes to mind.

You can make this tofu a couple of days ahead and you have always a great side dish to mashed potatoes, green beans, a veggie stir fry, even salads.

This Mapo Tofu is ready in under 15 minutes, versatile, flavor packed and protein rich. Serve plain or with rice and quinoa the ultimate Chinese comfort food made vegan plus gluten free, yum! #vegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #vegetarian #onepotmeals #contentednesscooking #15minutemeals #dinner #lunch #mealprep #budgetmeals #comfortfood #mapotofu
If you give this Mapo Tofu a try, tag me on Instagram or Facebook.

Share your feedback, I love seeing all of it.

Cheers, Florian.

Mapo Tofu top view on the filled pan and the bowl.

Mapo Tofu

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

This Mapo Tofu is super easy to make for your 15 minute meals. Protein rich, delicious and amazing for quick meals served with rice or quinoa. Even the pickiest member in your family will get into this refreshing take on Chinese comfort food.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz tofu cut into cubes
  • 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 8 oz mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 3 Tbs sesame oil
  • Stir Fry Sauce, prepared
  • 6 scallions, finely chopped
  • salt, pepper to taste

Optional:

Instructions

  1. Heat a skillet with sesame oil. Add minced garlic and fry for 2 minutes, then add mushrooms, ginger, tofu, prepared stir fry sauce.
  2. Fry everything for 6 minutes further then finally give the scallions to the mix. Add optional sweet chili sauce for serving, and enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 322Total Fat: 27.6gSaturated Fat: 3.9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 13.9mgCarbohydrates: 10.6gFiber: 4.8gSugar: 4.5gProtein: 14.5g
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