Tofu with Minced Pork Sauce (Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay)

Tofu with Minced Pork Sauce (Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay) is a simple and satisfying dish that’s perfect for busy days when you want a quick, flavourful meal without the fuss. With tender tofu and savoury ground pork simmered in a fragrant sauce, this dish comes together easily, making it hard to go wrong. Each ingredient is straightforward and accessible, so even beginners will find it easy to prepare. Serve it with a side of rice, and you’ll have a comforting, delicious meal in no time – ideal for those short on time but craving something homemade and satisfying.

Q&As on Tofu with Minced Meat Sauce

1. I only have firm tofu left. Can I use it for this recipe?

It’s best to stick with soft tofu for this dish, as the recipe relies on its delicate texture to absorb the sauce and enhance the overall flavour. Firm tofu would require a longer cooking time to soften, and even then, the texture and flavour won’t be quite the same. If possible, try to use soft tofu to get the intended, melt-in-your-mouth quality of the dish.

2. What is the nutritional value of tofu?

Tofu is a highly nutritious, plant-based protein made from soybeans, offering a variety of health benefits. It’s rich in protein and contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. Tofu is also low in calories and fat, while being high in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which support bone health. Additionally, tofu provides beneficial antioxidants and contains no cholesterol, making it a heart-healthy choice.

3. How do you pronounce “Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay?”

The pronunciation for “Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay” is roughly doh-hoo-sot-teet-sai. Here’s a breakdown:

• Đậu Hũ (doh-hoo): means tofu.
• Sốt (sot): means sauce.

Thịt Xay (teet-sai): means minced meat. Each word is spoken with a slight tonal emphasis, as is typical in Vietnamese, but this approximate pronunciation will help you say it comfortably.

Recipe for Tofu with Minced Meat Sauce (Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay)

Tofu with Minced Pork Sauce (Đậu Hũ Sốt Thịt Xay) is a savoury and comforting Vietnamese dish featuring soft tofu delicately simmered in a flavourful sauce made with ground pork, shiitake mushrooms, and a blend of aromatic seasonings. The dish is elevated with hints of ginger, garlic, and chili for a subtle kick, and the tofu absorbs the rich sauce without losing its tender texture. Best served with steamed rice, this dish offers a perfect balance of textures and flavours for a hearty meal.

Please refer to the video instructions at the end of the recipe if you’d like to see how to make Tofu with Minced Meat Sauce in action.

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Cuisine Vietnamese

Servings 2

Equipment

• 1 medium nonstick skillet

Ingredients

  

• 300 grams soft tofu
• 175 grams ground pork
• 50 grams shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger root
• ½ medium onion
• 2 green onions
• For seasoning: Salt, chili powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, ground black pepper, sriracha sauce, MSG (or chicken bouillon powder), cooking wine, cornstarch

Instructions

 

• Prepare the Sauce:

  In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon oyster sauce, ½ teaspoon sesame oil, ½teaspoon sriracha sauce, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 teaspoon cooking wine. Stir the mixture thoroughly until all the seasonings are well incorporated. Set the bowl aside for later use.

  In another small mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch along with a few teaspoons of water, stirring until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set this mixture aside for later use.
• Prepare the Ingredients:

  In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground pork with half of the chopped shallots and garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon MSG (or chicken bouillon powder), and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix the ingredients well, ensuring the pork is evenly coated in the seasoning. Allow the meat to marinate for about 15 minutes.

  Dice the shiitake mushrooms and onion. Coarsely chop the green onions.

  Carefully slice the tofu into bite-sized pieces, keeping the cubes at a size that won’t break apart easily during cooking.
• Cook:

  Heat a small amount of oil in a medium nonstick skillet over high heat. Then add the remaining chopped shallots, garlic and ginger, and sauté until they turn slightly brown.

  Add the marinated ground pork to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently to break up any clumps. Continue to stir until the meat is fully cooked. Then, add the diced onions, allowing them to soften slightly while cooking.

  Next, add the diced shiitake mushrooms to the skillet. Pour in the prepared sauce, followed by about 50-75 mL of water or chicken stock to create a slightly thinner sauce that coats all ingredients.

  Stir the ingredients well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the cornstarch mixture, stirring it into the sauce. Gently add the tofu pieces, arranging them to sit in the sauce, and add a bit more water if needed to keep the sauce at the desired consistency.

  Using a gentle motion, coat the tofu with the sauce by slightly tilting the skillet from side to side, avoiding stirring to keep the tofu from breaking apart. Allow the dish to simmer for about 5 minutes, letting the tofu absorb the sauce.

  Turn off the heat and sprinkle the chopped green onions over the top.
• Serve:

  Carefully transfer the tofu and minced pork to a serving plate. This dish is best enjoyed while hot, served alongside a steaming bowl of rice.

Video