Mapo Tofu (Dairy-Free)
Mapo Tofu is a spicy and fragrant Sichuan dish that features silken tofu in a vibrant sauce made with fermented black beans and chili oil. This dairy-free version retains the authentic flavors while being accessible to those avoiding dairy.

20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Chinese
220 kcal
Ingredients
- Silken tofu - 300 grams
- Ground Sichuan peppercorns - 1 teaspoon
- Chili oil - 2 tablespoons
- Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
- Ginger - 1 teaspoon, minced
- Fermented black beans - 1 tablespoon, rinsed and mashed
- Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable broth - 150 ml
- Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon
- Water - 50 ml
- Green onions - 2, chopped (for garnish)
- Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
Steps
- Cut the silken tofu into 1-inch cubes and gently set aside.
- In a pan over medium heat, add the chili oil, garlic, and ginger, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the ground Sichuan peppercorns and fermented black beans to the pan, stirring for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and soy sauce, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Carefully add the tofu cubes to the pan, gently stirring to coat them in the sauce; simmer for 5 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry, then add it to the pan to thicken the sauce, cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with chopped green onions before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 220
- Protein: 12 g
- Carbs: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Total Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Water: 0.1 L
Health Benefits
- Rich in plant-based protein from tofu.
- Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties from Sichuan peppercorns and garlic.
Tags
ChineseDairy-FreeAppetizer