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.

^{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

Pan-Seared Tofu

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

Marinated Tofu

Fried Tofu

Scrambled Tofu

^{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!