Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

    Tofu 101: 5 Tips For Cooking With Tofu

    Fried tofu, scrambled tofu, baked tofu, oh my! Learn about our top 5 tips to make tofu more accessible and less intimidating and get cooking today.

    Tofu 101: 5 Tips For Cooking With Tofu
    The B Blog

    Fried tofu, scrambled tofu, baked tofu, oh my! Tofu is an incredibly versatile (and sadly misunderstood) ingredient that deserves more credit than it gets. People think that tofu is bland, flavorless, and difficult to cook with – but that’s not the whole story. 

    I like to think of tofu as a blank canvas. Yes, it’s bland and flavorless, but that’s what makes it great for soaking up flavors from your favorite spices, oils, and marinades. In our meat-dominated world, I was never taught to cook with tofu, so I always thought it was too difficult to attempt. But once I learned the basics and tried out a few recipes, I realized that tofu is as easy to cook with as chicken, beef, and pork. In this tofu 101 blog, I’m passing on what I’ve learned in 5 simple tips to make tofu your new staple protein. 

    What is Tofu?

    Tofu is a soy-based protein that’s made through a similar process as cheese. Sometimes called “soy cheese,” tofu is made by boiling crushed soybeans that have been soaked in water. The resulting curds are pressed into a solid block that offers 21.8 grams of protein per half cup, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

    Tofu 101: Our Top 5 Tofu Tips

    Tofu can do it all. From silken to extra firm, the vast variety of tofu types lend themselves well to everything from creamy vegan desserts to scrambled, marinated, and even fried tofu. These helpful tips will take you from a tofu novice to a tofu pro in no time.

    Blocks of tofu sit on a wooden cutting board.

    Some experts say that freezing tofu prior to pressing and cooking gives it a better texture.

    Tip #1: Know Your Tofu

    Tofu is made with various levels of firmness, and the type of tofu you choose can make or break your recipe. Make sure to look closely at your tofu packaging to find the right firmness level for your recipe of choice. The types of tofu include: 

    • Silken Tofu: Soft and delicate to the touch, silken tofu has a silky texture that makes it great for serving raw or as a vegan dessert substitute. Often served uncooked and topped with a savory sauce or blended into a vegan dessert, silken tofu opens up a wide world of vegan cooking possibilities. 
    • Firm Tofu: Firm tofu is one of the more popular varieties, and for good reason. The perfect middle ground between silken and extra firm tofu, it’s easy to handle and features a softness that’s great for absorbing flavors.
    • Extra Firm Tofu: A well-loved meat alternative, extra firm tofu has a denser texture. It’s also good for soaking up flavor, and it requires less pressing time.

    Tip #2: Properly Prep Your Tofu

    Good things take time. Like a steak that needs to come to room temperature before searing, tofu needs to be prepped about thirty minutes ahead of cooking. Tofu has a high water content, which can cause it to have a soggy texture when cooked. To combat this, tofu needs to have its water content pressed out ahead of cooking. 

    A tofu press is the best tool for this job, and it makes cleaning up a breeze. If you’re having a hard time getting your hands on a tofu press, however, you can also go the DIY route using aheavy skillet, some cookbooks, and a dish towel. Just be sure to press your tofu for at least 30 minutes before cooking with it.

    Specialized books, like How to Fall In Love With Tofu, feature creative tofu recipes, like the “crack tofu” featured above.

    Tip #3: Learn The Basic Tofu Cooking Methods

    Most of us didn’t grow up learning to cook tofu. While we might’ve watched our parents sear a chicken breast or sauté ground beef, we have no frame of reference for the best tofu cooking methods. That’s why we’ve included some basic guidelines for cooking tofu below. Let these recipes serve as a jumping off point for experimentation with spices, marinades, oils, and sauces

    Crispy Baked Tofu

    IngredientsInstructions
    1. Prep your tofu
      • Press your tofu for at least 30 minutes.
      • Use a sharp knife to cut your tofu into equal-sized cubes.
      • Place the cubed tofu into a bowl, add your cornstarch, and gently toss to coat your cubes on all sides.
    2. Bake your tofu
      • Preheat your oven to 425°F.
      • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
      • Arrange your tofu cubes in a single layer on your baking sheet. 
      • Drizzle your cubes with olive oil, salt, and any other spices you choose. 
      • Bake, undisturbed, for 25 minutes. 
    3. Serve as an appetizer, topping, or main dish

    Pan-Seared Tofu

    IngredientsInstructions
    1. Prep your tofu
      • Press your tofu for at least 30 minutes. 
      • Use a sharp knife to cut your tofu into equal-sized cubes. 
    2. Sauté your tofu
      • Add oil to a skillet on medium heat. 
      • Add your tofu to the skillet in an even layer and allow it to cook, undisturbed, for 2 minutes. 
      • Flip your tofu and repeat the previous step until each side is golden brown. 
    3. Coat your tofu
      • Add about 1/4 cup of your sauce or marinade of choice, plus seasonings
      • Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce becomes caramelized around the edges of your tofu. 
    4. Serve as an appetizer, topping, or main dish

    Curio Spice Co.'s De Lat Spice

    De Lat Spice, as well as other Curio spices, are perfect for tofu recipes.

    Marinated Tofu

    IngredientsInstructions
    • 1 package of firm or extra firm tofu
    • Your sauce or marinade of choice
    1. Prep your tofu
      • Press your tofu for at least 30 minutes.
      • Use a sharp knife to cut your tofu into equal-sized cubes.
    2. Marinate your tofu
      • Add your cubed tofu to a baking dish
      • Add your sauce or marinade and set aside for 30 minutes. 
    3. Bake your tofu
      • Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
      • Transfer your marinated tofu to your baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. 
      • Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through. 
    4. Serve as an appetizer, topping, or main dish.

    Fried Tofu

    IngredientsInstructions
    1. Prep your tofu
      • Press your tofu for at least 30 minutes.
      • Use a sharp knife to cut your tofu into equal-sized cubes, triangles, or slabs.
    2. Fry your tofu
      • Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and add a layer of oil, heating until it’s shimmering.
      • Add your tofu to the skillet in a single layer.
      • Cook, undisturbed, for 4-5 minutes until it turns golden brown on one side.
      • Flip, season the cooked side with salt, and cook the other side for 4 minutes.
      • Remove from the pan to a paper-towel lined plate.
    3. Serve topped with salt
      • Season the second side with salt and serve as an appetizer, topping, or main dish.

    Scrambled Tofu

    IngredientsInstructions
    1. Prep your tofu
      • Press your tofu for at least 30 minutes.
      • Use a sharp knife to slice your tofu into slabs.
    2. Scramble your tofu
      • Add some oil to a skilletand heat over medium-high heat
      • Add your tofu slabs to the pan and use a woodenspoon or spatula to break up your tofu into small pieces.
    3. Season your tofu
      • Add your sauce or seasonings of choice to your scrambled tofu.
      • Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring to coat your tofu in your seasoning or sauce. 
      • Spread into an even layer and cook, undisturbed, for 4 minutes.
      • Give your tofu another stir and allow it to cook for another 3-4 minutes until it’s crispy to your liking.
    4. Serve as an appetizer, topping, or main dish
    •  

    A tofu hoagie sits on a grey plate

    Get creative with your tofu recipes to become a better, more versatile cook.

    Tip #5: Get Creative

    Tofu is an ingredient that begs you to be creative and bold, finding new and unique ways to make classics with a twist. My favorite creative tip is to use silken tofu to add extra protein and a creamy texture to smoothies. 

    At Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill, we inspire home cooks to be creative every day by offering one of the largest selections of kitchenware, knives, home decor, and gifts in Boston. Stop by our Beacon Hill store to chat with our staff about their favorite tofu recipes, browse our website to view our inventory, and tag @blackstonesboston in your tofu creations on Instagram!

    Send a Message to the Blackstone's Team

    What are your experiences? Read or write a review here.

    *Your email will not be collected for promotions.

    * Required Fields

    Recently Viewed

    Check out our blog for news and information!

    • Build Your Vegan Thanksgiving Menu
      13 / Nov / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Build Your Vegan Thanksgiving Menu

    • The Best Way to Slice a Turkey
      13 / Nov / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      The Best Way to Slice a Turkey

    • Build Your Thanksgiving Menu
      04 / Nov / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Build Your Thanksgiving Menu

    • The Ultimate Football Sunday Meal
      15 / Oct / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      The Ultimate Football Sunday Meal

    • How to Celebrate Halloween This Fall
      14 / Oct / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      How to Celebrate Halloween This Fall

    • Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Beginners
      13 / Oct / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Beginners

    • Fall Recipe Ideas: Shepherd's Pie
      30 / Sep / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Fall Recipe Ideas: Shepherd's Pie

    • Coffee and Food Pairings for International Coffee Day
      23 / Sep / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Coffee and Food Pairings for International Coffee Day

    • Fall Soup Recipes
      23 / Sep / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Fall Soup Recipes

    • Quick Breakfast Ideas For Back to School
      17 / Sep / 2024

      Paige Knight - 17 / Sep / 2024

      Quick Breakfast Ideas For Back to School

    Login

    Forgot your password?

    • All your orders and returns in one place
    • The ordering process is even faster
    • Your shopping cart stored, always and everywhere
    Blackstone's of Beacon Hill / - Reviews @ Google
    Please accept cookies to help us improve this website Is this OK? YesNoMore on cookies »
    Powered by Lightspeed