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Mapo Tofu as served, showing the finished dish

Dinner recipe

Mapo Tofu Recipe

A practical, source-aware recipe for mapo tofu, with the history kept close to the method.

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Mapo Tofu. Photo: Sichuanfoodlover / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Developed by the Recipe Desk. This original editorial recipe uses measured ingredients, explicit timing and yield, allergen notes, storage guidance, and step-by-step visual cues. Use the stated doneness and texture cues because ingredients, ovens, and kitchen equipment vary.

Recipe card

Mapo Tofu

A practical, source-aware recipe for mapo tofu, with the history kept close to the method.

Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Yield
8 to 10 servings
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup dried Tianjin chiles or chiles de árbol
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
  • 2 green cardamom pods
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ cinnamon stick
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons plus ¼ cup chili oil
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • 4 cups low-salt chicken broth
  • 4 cups dry white wine
  • ⅔ cup fish sauce (such as nuoc nam or nam pla)
  • ½ cup fermented black beans (from one 4-ounce can, rinsed, drained)
  • ½ cup pepper oil
  • 2 pounds boneless pork shoulder (Boston butt), cut into 1" cubes
  • ¼ cup (packed) fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems plus more chopped for garnish
  • ¾ cup red Thai chiles
  • ½ cup chopped garlic
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup grated peeled ginger (from two 4x1-inch pieces)
  • ¼ cup sliced scallion (about 1)
  • 1 8x4" piece kombu
  • Kosher salt
  • 2 pounds soft (silken) tofu, cut into 1" cubes
  • Pepper oil
  • Scallions, sliced thinly on a diagonal
  • Chili oil

Method

  1. Spice Blend for Mapo Tofu, showing the ingredients and preparation at this stage
    Step 1: Spice Blend for Mapo Tofu.
    1

    Spice Blend

    Spice Blend

  2. Brine for Mapo Tofu, showing the ingredients and preparation at this stage
    Step 2: Brine for Mapo Tofu.
    2

    Brine

    Brine

  3. Braise and Assembly for Mapo Tofu, showing the ingredients and preparation at this stage
    Step 3: Braise and Assembly for Mapo Tofu.
    3

    Braise and Assembly

    Braise and Assembly

Storage

Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat only when the texture benefits from it.

Allergens

No major allergens identified from the listed ingredients. Always check product labels for cross-contact.

Why this dish belongs here

The history behind the method

This dinner recipe connects to the broader history of tofu in global food culture.

Explore the ingredients

Trend and context sources

  1. [1]Original Mapo Tofu recipe — Bon Appétit
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Written by The Foods That Shaped Us Research Desk

The Foods That Shaped Us Research Desk is the publication byline for collaboratively maintained food-history articles, Case Files, Trend Desk analysis, and original Recipe Desk development. Historical work is grounded in cited sources. Recipes use measured formulations and receive an editorial consistency, safety-note, and image-provenance review before release.

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