Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

The Best Vegan Mapo Tofu

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Caroline Phelps
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 60 minutes
  • Yield: 6 people 1x
  • Category: Vegan
  • Method: Stove top
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Description

One of my favorite recipes of all time, this vegan mapo tofu is packed with savory and pungent flavors that are traditional to Szechuan cuisine. So delicious that I always go back for seconds!


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 ounce dried shiitake mushrooms (soaked in 3 1/2 cup water for at least 30 minutes)
  • 7 ounces button mushrooms (finely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (peeled and minced)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (peeled and minced)
  • 1 large leek (sliced in half lengthwise and thinly sliced on the bias)
  • 1 pound silken tofu (drained and sliced into 1-inch cubes)

For the sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons gochujang
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons spicy chili crisp
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon gochugaru
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 1/2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Take shiitake mushrooms out of the water and set the water aside. You will need it for the sauce. Squeeze the dried shiitake mushrooms to remove excess water and finely chop them. Add them to the bowl with the button mushrooms.
  2. In a wok or large pan over medium high heat, add oil and mushrooms. Stir and cook for 8 minutes.
  3. Add garlic, ginger and leeks, stir and cook for 4 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a bowl and set aside.
  4. Add gochujang, soy sauce, spicy chili crisp, salt and gochugaru to the pan and stir until the ingredients are mixed and heated through (about 1 minute).
  5. Return vegetables to the pan and add mushroom water. Stir well and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer.
  6. Give the cornstarch mixture a quick stir and add to the sauce while stirring.
  7. Add tofu, Szechuan peppercorns and stir well to coat the cubes. Cook for 1 minute and serve with white rice.

Notes

This mapo tofu is best eaten the day of but you can keep it refrigerated for up to 2 days. The texture won’t be gooey anymore but the flavors will still be delicious.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 159
  • Sugar: 3.9 g
  • Sodium: 758 mg
  • Fat: 9.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13.4 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 5.6 g
  • Cholesterol: 2.3 mg
Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Asian Recipes

Straight To Your Inbox

Receive a FREE Digital Cookbook when you sign up for our newsletter