Tofu is one of plant-based cooking’s biggest stars because of its versatility. There are so many ways to cook and season this plant-based protein, it’s hard to know where to start if you’ve never made it before. If you’re still a tofu novice, we’re here to help make you an expert with this detailed guide on everything you need to know about how to cook tofu.

Before you begin: Understanding tofu types

Most tofu falls under one of two categories: melt-in-your-mouth silken or the firmer block tofu you see in most grocery stores.

Do you need a smooth and creamy base for a sauce? Or are you planning to bake firm tofu into crispy cubes? Deciding which type of tofu to use in your next recipe is all about what kind of texture experience you’re looking for.

Tofu Type	Texture	Water Content	Prep Requirements	Best Ways To Cook This Tofu Type
Silken	Extra soft	Highest	Don’t press; drain liquid	Serve raw or blend into a smoothie, dressing, or sauce
Soft	Soft, but firm enough to handle	High	Drain or very gently press	Serve raw, blend like silken tofu, or batter and deep fry
Firm	Solid but porous	Medium	Press, drain, then crumble or slice	Saute, deep fry
Extra Firm	Medium dense	Low	Press, drain, then crumble or slice	Saute, bake, grill
Super Firm	Most dense	Lowest	Slice, crumble, or grate; no need to press	Saute, bake, grill

 

What’s the best way to cook tofu?

Cooking tofu to perfection is both an art and a science. Before you pick up a pan, you have to know which method works best for your particular recipe and tofu type.

Saute

• Benefits: Fast and easy
• Drawbacks: Tofu might stick to pan

Get out the cast iron skillet and a little bit of oil. Sauteing at high heat on your stovetop is one of the easiest, quickest methods for prepping crispy yet tender tofu. If you’re in a big hurry, you can skip pressing with this method and remove excess water by tearing your extra firm tofu into crumbles.

Deep fry

• Benefits: Perfect balance of textures
• Drawbacks: Extra firm tofu might dry out

Deep frying your tofu gives you a restaurant-level quality bite: a crunchy outside and warm, soft inside. Firm tofu works best for this method, but make sure to give it a good press before sticking your tofu in hot oil, as excess water might splatter everywhere.

Bake

• Benefits: Fast and low effort
• Drawbacks: Getting the right texture can be challenging without proper prep

Baked tofu usually involves slicing extra firm tofu (after pressing) and coating it in starch so you get that lightly crisp exterior. It takes less than 30 minutes in the oven. Toss the cubes in your favorite sauce after baking for a super satisfying snack.

Grill

• Benefits: Great smoky flavor
• Drawbacks: Incorrect prep might lead to sticking

When summer rolls around, grilled tofu makes one of the best vegan swaps at any BBQ. Cut extra-firm tofu into long slabs, press, and season generously with spices or your favorite BBQ sauce. You should also season your grill with a little bit of olive oil to help with sticking prevention. Turn the heat up high before putting your tofu on so you get those nice grill marks, then turn it to low once it’s on the grill for even cooking.

How to prepare tofu for cooking

Creating a mouth-watering marinade for raw silken tofu is different than seasoning firm slabs for the grill. Still, there are some common prep techniques used in most dishes that you should get familiar with before cooking tofu.

How to press tofu

Slice or rip up your tofu as desired, then place it on a flat surface like a cutting board, layered with a paper or cloth towel to soak up the extra water. Then you’ll put a heavy object on top and let gravity do its magic for the next half an hour. Some have a dedicated tofu press for this task, but a heavy baking sheet will work just fine.

Keep in mind that removing excess moisture will give you the best results with most cooking methods. Pressing is the most common approach, although some recipes with softer varieties may just ask you to simply drain your tofu in a colander or with a kitchen towel. If you’re using a super firm block, there’s no need since it’s already been pre-pressed.

How to season tofu

On its own, tofu isn’t exactly full of flavor, but that’s also one of its biggest advantages. After pressing, coat the tofu generously in a dry rub or soak it in your favorite marinade.

It doesn’t have to be an overly complicated recipe, either. A simple soy sauce soak will do the trick. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes and no longer than overnight. After your tofu is finished cooking, it doesn’t hurt to add a few more spoonfuls of leftover marinade for even more flavor.

Should you coat tofu in starch before cooking it?

You don’t have to use it in every recipe, but coating your tofu in starch makes a difference when you want a specific texture. Tossing your tofu cubes in cornstarch is one of the best ways to get tofu with a nice crispy outer layer. Especially if you’re baking tofu, don’t skip adding cornstarch after seasoning.

Do you have to rinse tofu before cooking it?

It’s not required, but some people recommend rinsing your tofu after removing it from the packaging, no matter what variety of tofu you’re using. This removes any unwanted taste from the liquid your tofu was hanging out in. Some even suggest rinsing tofu with boiling salt water, especially for stir fries, as an alternative to pressing.

Should you freeze tofu before cooking it?

You don’t have to, but freezing tofu is a great technique for getting this plant-based protein to absorb even more flavor. Freezing changes the texture to be both firmer and spongier, with open pores ready to soak up any marinade or sauce. This takes care of the excess moisture, so you don’t have to press tofu that’s been in the freezer. So yes, some chill time in the freezer may be well worth it for your tofu.

How to know when your tofu is done cooking

Your tofu is finished cooking once you’ve achieved your desired texture. With most cooking methods, including baking, sauteing, and frying, you want crispy edges with a chewy interior. A golden brown outside is usually a sign you’re there. It can take a bit of trial and error, but after some practice, you’ll get a stronger sense of getting the timing just right.

4 common tofu cooking mistakes and how to fix them

Tofu didn’t turn out how you hoped? Check your seasoning, prep, tofu type, and heating.

• Seasoning mistakes: Even if you plan to add most of your sauce after it’s done cooking, don’t skip at least a simple dusting of salt and pepper. And if you are whipping up a marinade, don’t use one that’s heavily oil based. Oil acts as a barrier over the water in the tofu and your sauce won’t get into the tofu like it should.
• Incorrect preparation: You remembered to press, but maybe you got impatient or forgot about it altogether. Over or under-pressing causes major texture issues. For tofu that’s just right, make sure you stick to the recommended 30 minutes.
• Using the wrong tofu type: Soft tofu will fall apart in a stir fry and extra firm tofu won’t blend the way you’d hoped. Make sure you know exactly which type of tofu is mentioned in the directions of your recipe before you head to the store.
• Improper heating: If you want crisp edges and a soft center, you need to learn how to balance heat levels. When pan-frying or sauteeing, start off with a high flame so your pan gets nice and hot and your tofu develops a crunchy outer shell. To avoid burning, turn the heat to low once your tofu reaches the desired crispness.

Should you make tofu from scratch?

It’s not quite as easy as making your own seitan, but if you’re up for a project, you can make your own tofu from scratch.

To start, soak dried soybeans in water overnight. Blend the soybeans and water with a coagulant like lemon juice, vinegar, or Japanese nigari. You’ll need a good blender for this! Once blended, take your soymilk and pour it into a large stock pot. Cook, strain, and cook again before pouring the liquid into a tofu mold. Wait for it to firm up, then get to cooking.

Learn to cook perfect tofu with Purple Carrot

However you like it cooked, Purple Carrot has tons of delicious tofu recipes for you to try. Our dietician and chef-crafted dishes are delicious and nutritious, with easy step-by-step instructions for every level of cooking skills. Get inspired by tofu and other plant-based recipes with meal kits delivered to your door every week. Shop Purple Carrot now and enjoy $100 off your first month of meals.