Szechuan Vegan Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐 – meet this classic and innovative modern take on this Chinese dish. It has a nice firm bite that goes really well with the creamy softness of tofu with extra lip-tingling heat from Szechuan peppercorns!

Call it Vegan Mapo Tofu 2.0. After our Not So Spicy Mapo Tofu recipe shared not too long ago made with mushrooms, I decided to make this classic home-cooked Chinese Cantonese dish with plant-based burger patties. I used Impossible Foods plant-based patty for a healthier vegetarian mapo tofu version. Quick, easy recipe in 15 minutes Chinese recipe!
If you feel like you need an extra dose of veggies, add some diced carrots. Make sure to cook it thoroughly until softened. The worst thing is biting into mapo tofu with hard crunchy pieces.
The amount of heat you want in this dish is entirely up to you! Sichuan peppercorns are very spicy with a long lingering burn. And the black bean sauce with garlic is very salty. It is important to start with a little, taste, and adjust to your preference. Always taste throughout making this recipe.
If it is too bland, add more black bean sauce. Personally I like adding another tablespoon of sichuan peppercorn, but it is your mapo tofu, not mine.


Szechuan Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2–4 servings 1x
- Category: main dishes, entree
- Method: stir fry
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Szechuan Vegan Mapo Tofu 麻婆豆腐 – meet this classic and innovative modern take on this Chinese dish. It has a nice firm bite that goes really well with the creamy softness of tofu with extra lip-tingling heat from Szechuan peppercorns!
Call this Mapo Tofu 2.0. After our Not So Spicy Mapo Tofu recipe shared not too long ago made with mushrooms, I decided to make this classic home-cooked Chinese Cantonese dish with plant-based burger patties. I used Impossible Foods plant-based patty for a healthier vegetarian mapo tofu version. Quick, easy recipe in 15 minutes Chinese recipe!
Ingredients
- 200g Impossible Burger (plant-based meat alternative)
- 400g Firm Tofu, cubed (or silken tofu if you prefer)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp black bean sauce with garlic
- 1 tbsp Szechuan peppercorn, more if you prefer spicier
- 3 tablespoon ginger, grated
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 teaspoon corn starch
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 stalk of green onions, finely chopped for garnish
- drizzle of XO chili oil to taste
- 1/2 small carrot, diced (optional)
- white jasmine rice for serving
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed non-stick Wok or Cast Iron, heat oil over medium high heat. Let the oil simmer, not smoke.
- Sautee garlic, ginger and onions, stir for 30 seconds.
- Break apart Impossible Burger into the pan. Stir until golden browned and fragrant, about 5 mins. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same heavy bottomed non-stick Wok or Cast Iron over medium high heat, stir together light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, black bean sauce with garlic, Szechuan peppercorns, and 2 cups of vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Add in carrots and cook for 3 minutes or until carrots are soft.
- In a separate small bowl, dissolve 1.5 teaspoons of corn starch into cold water, add this mixture into your pot, and stir evenly. Add more if you prefer your mapo tofu thicker.
- Add your previously cooked Impossible Burger and tofu and sesame oil and stir gently.
- Add
- Adjust your spice preference. If you do not find it spicy enough, add a little bit more Szechuan peppercorns.
- Garnish with finely chopped green onions.
- Serve and enjoy over jasmine white rice!
Equipment



stainless stain spatula / turner
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Keywords: vegan mapo tofu, szechuan peppercorns, sichuan mapo tofu, impossible burger, plant based chinese recipes, vegan chinese food, 麻婆豆腐
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I believe this dish could convince me to eat tofu again- it looks incredible!
★★★★★
haha! Then I’ve done my job right!
This dish looks delicious! Love the addition of the impossible burger ‘meat’ with the silky tofu – yum!! Great combo☺️
★★★★★
Thanks Laura!!