Pan-Fried Tofu with Minced Pork
肉末豆腐
Golden tofu with a soft center sits in a light minced pork sauce with garlic and scallions. Serve with rice to catch the sauce.
- Total
- 30 minutes
- Serves
- 4
Before you cook
Pat the tofu dry
Pat the pieces dry and leave them on a clean towel. Damp tofu sputters and sticks; surface drying matters more than a long press.
Let the crust form
Leave the tofu undisturbed until the underside is golden and releases easily, then turn gently to keep each piece intact.
Recipe
Pan-Fried Tofu with Minced Pork
- Prep
- 15 minutes
- Cook
- 15 minutes
- Total
- 30 minutes
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
Tofu and pork
Light sauce
Instructions
- 1
Drain and cut the tofu
Pat the tofu dry and cut it into rectangles about ½ inch thick. Lay the pieces on a clean towel while you prepare the aromatics and sauce. Stir the water or stock, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sugar together in a small bowl. Keep the cornstarch mixture separate.
- 2
Brown the tofu
Heat a wide nonstick or well-seasoned skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and arrange the tofu in one layer. Cook without moving it for 3 to 4 minutes, until the underside is golden and releases easily. Turn carefully and brown the second side for 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate; work in two batches if necessary.
- 3
Cook the minced pork
Add the remaining tablespoon oil to the pan and lower the heat to medium. Add the minced pork and break it into small pieces. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until no pink remains and some edges begin to brown. Add the garlic, ginger, and scallion whites; stir for 30 seconds without browning the garlic.
- 4
Coat the tofu with sauce
Pour in the sauce mixture and scrape the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer. Stir the cornstarch mixture again, pour it in, and cook for about 30 seconds, until the liquid lightly coats a spoon. Slide the tofu back into the pan and spoon the pork and sauce over it. Simmer gently for 2 minutes, turning the tofu only if needed. Finish with the scallion greens and serve with rice.
Estimated nutrition
Per serving (1 of 4)
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 18 g
- Carbs
- 7 g
- Fat
- 21 g
Calculated from the listed amounts. Optional or unmeasured additions are excluded; brands, substitutions, and cooking losses can change the result.
Pan-Fried Tofu with Minced Pork
For this step
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Choose tofu that will hold together
Firm tofu is easiest to brown and move without breaking. Extra-firm tofu also works; silken tofu is too delicate for this pan-fried version.
If the sauce gets too thick
The sauce should collect in a shallow layer under the tofu, not bury it. If it thickens too quickly, loosen it with 1 or 2 tablespoons water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 肉末豆腐 the same as mapo tofu?
No. This version uses browned firm tofu and a mild pork sauce. Mapo tofu typically uses softer tofu with chile-bean paste and Sichuan pepper.
