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Vegan Mapo Tofu

Vegan mapo tofu made in the microwave using the glass Anyday dish, delivering tender tofu infused with a spicy, savory sauce. Enjoy a quick and flavorful plant-based meal, ready in minutes.
Vegan Mapo Tofu
PT10M PT10M

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10-11 mins

Free Time

to take a Chinese lesson on Duolingo

This classic Chinese recipe bubbles over with aroma and flavor thanks to umami-rich shiitake mushrooms, fermented black beans, and Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang). It’s fiery and tingly and numbingly spicy in the best kind of way. The classic version includes ground meat, but you won’t miss it in this vegan version where the spice is the star of the show. Best enjoyed over rice for a respite from the heat.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

One Dish Meals, Vegetables, Chinese, Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian, Mushrooms, Deep Dish, Tofu One Dish Meals, Vegetables

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • 3-4 (60g) shiitake mushrooms (fresh or rehydrated if dried), diced
  • ½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, ground
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons fermented black beans (douchi)
  • 2 teaspoons Sichuan chili bean paste (doubanjiang)
  • ⅔ cup (160ml) vegetable stock or water
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 7 oz (200g) silken tofu, diced medium
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil 
  • scallions, thinly sliced (optional)

Preparation

  1. Add the mushrooms, Sichuan peppercorns, oil, ginger, garlic, fermented black beans, and chili bean paste to the Anyday dish. Stir to mix. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  2. Cook in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
  3. Add vegetable stock and soy sauce and stir to mix. Carefully place the tofu in the sauce. Cover and cook for 6 minutes, or until the mapo tofu is hot
  4. In a separate small bowl, stir cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Add to the Anyday dish. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
  5. Garnish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of scallions, if using.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Serve over steamed rice and add more spice to your liking.
  • Try with a side of green vegetables.

Recipe notes

  • This dish tastes even better when reheated. Save for up to 3 days and reheat as needed.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.