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
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!
- 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
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
- ½ 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
- ½ 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
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stainless stain spatula / turner
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Buy Now → Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 258
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 890.1 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Carbohydrates: 21.7 g
- Protein: 14.1 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
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Shilpa says
This looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it.
Katie says
Such a delicious tofu recipe! The whole family loved it!
Daniela says
This was my first time trying vegan szechuan mapo tofu and I am hooked. Easy and delicious
Andrea says
This tofu dish is the best! So good!
Cindy says
An amazing combination of flavors! Love it!
Jacqui says
This version of Mapo Tofu is truly addicting! My whole family loves it!
Julia says
I'd not tried this kind of recipe with tofu before, no idea why not, it was really delicious. Thank you for this.
Nancy says
She's a classic Chinese recipe! I'm sure you will love it!
Michelle says
I love a good mapo tofu! It's such a quick, easy, and affordable dinner. Great recipe!
Nancy says
thanks Michelle
Kayla DiMaggio says
This mapo tofu was so delicious and easy to make! I loved all the flavors!
Nancy says
It's really satisfying isn't it!?
Emily says
I love this creative and modern version! I love the nice firm bite that complements the creamy softness of tofu with the heat from the Szechuan peppercorns!
Nancy says
Thanks Emily!! the heat really lingers doesn't it?
Chris says
Yum! I loved this recipe! It was flavorful and perfect in texture! It was very satisfying! Thank you, will make this again!
Nancy says
it's an awesome plant based protein meal!
GUSTAVO DE OBALDIA says
I really loved this mapo soup! The flavors were spot on! I followed your recommendation and added an extra tablespoon of Sichuan peppercorns and loved it! I love spicy food and I loved your previous mushroom soup, all delicious! 🙂 Thank you!
Nancy says
thanks Gus!! You are brave with the added peppercorns!
Kaitlin says
Easy meal and delicious!!!
Nancy says
super easy weeknight meal!
Anaiah says
This vegan szechuan mapo tofu is perfect for family dinners! It's packed with flavor and doesn't take long to make at all. Definitely a win for me!
Nancy says
That's right and it goes so well with white rice that you'll want seconds!
Terri says
I believe this dish could convince me to eat tofu again- it looks incredible!
Nancy says
haha! Then I've done my job right!
Laura says
This dish looks delicious! Love the addition of the impossible burger ‘meat’ with the silky tofu - yum!! Great combo☺️
Nancy says
Thanks Laura!!