If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy way to cook tofu, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, I will instruct you on how to cook tofu for beginners. Besides, I also will share how to press tofu properly and what dishes you can serve with tofu. By the end of this article, you’ll be a tofu expert! Trust me
1. How To Press Tofu?
There are a few methods you can use to press tofu, depending on what equipment you have.
The simplest method is to wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels, then set it on a plate. Place another plate on top of the tofu, then weigh it down with something heavy, like a can of beans or a jug of water.
If you have a tofu press, you can use that to press your tofu more quickly and effectively. Simply place the block of tofu in the press and tighten the screws until it’s as firm as you like.
Both methods to press tofu need 15-30 minutes. The result is a solid & dense textured tofu block that is ready for cutting and cooking.
2. How To Cook Tofu on Stove
2.1. How To Fry Tofu
Ingredients
- A block of extra-firm tofu (15-16 ounces)
- 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil (or any vegetable oil)
- Salt (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: First, drain the tofu and press tofu then cut them into cubes then put all tofu cubes in a zip lock bag. Next, transfer zip lock bag to the freezer for about 30 minutes. This step will help your fried tofu dish become crispy.
Step 2: Place a skillet on the stove over medium-high heat and drizzle the olive oil (4-5 tablespoons).
Step 3: Once the oil is nice and hot, release the top tofu cubes into the skillet. (* ensure to place the tofu pieces in a single layer without over-lapping)
Step 4: Cook each side of the tofu cubes for 3 minutes. Do not stir. Leave the Tofu alone until they are beautifully golden brown. Then, flip the side using tongs. Finally, transfer to a cooling rack.
Once cooled, serve the crispy fried Tofu seasoned with salt or along with a sauce/dip. Consume within a few hours of frying or else they will no longer be crispy and instead turn chewy. You can also add the fried tofu cubes to various stir-fry recipes.
2.2. How To Scramble Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block of extra-firm Tofu (15-16 ounces)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (or any vegetable oil)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup of water
Instructions
Step 1: First, drain the tofu and press tofu then put your tofu into a pan then use a potato masher to mash it into small curds.
Step 2: In a non-stick pan, heat the oil over medium heat, when the oil starts to smoke slightly add small curds of tofu and cook for 4 minutes. Stir frequently
Step 3: Next, season your tofu with salt, pepper, turmeric, and nutritional yeast. Stir well for 2-3 minutes and add some water. Then turn off the stove and serve immediately
2.3. How To Stir Fry Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 block of extra-firm Tofu (15-16 ounces)
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or any vegetable oil)
- 2 cups of broccoli ( steamed or boiled)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
Step 1: First, drain the tofu and press tofu then cut the tofu into small cubes before stir-frying.
Step 2: Add oil to the pan then heat the oil over medium heat, when the oil starts to smoke slightly add gently tofu cubes and cook without stirring for 3 minutes
Step 3: Add add broccoli (steamed or boiled), soy sauce and sprinkle black pepper powder and garlic powder on top and stir well for 2-3 minutes. This will give stir-fried tofu more flavor and make it more delicious to eat.
Step 4: Transfer them to a plate and serve immediately after cooking. Stir-fried tofu is best when it is fresh and hot out of the pan.
3. How To Cook Tofu in Oven
Ingredients
- 1 block of extra firm tofu (14-15 ounces)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds (for garnishing)
Instructions
Step 1: Press the tofu to remove excess water. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in paper towels and place something heavy on top for 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 2: Set the oven for preheating at 400°F. Meanwhile, cut a block of firm or extra-firm tofu into 1-inch cubes
Step 3: In a large bowl, mix the olive oil with soy sauce, garlic powder, honey, and white wine vinegar. Put tofu cubes into the sauce mixture and stir gently using a spoon to coat evenly on all sides. Now, add the cornstarch on top of the sauce-coated tofu cubes then stir well to sure the cornstarch powder is no longer visible
Step 4: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Place the seasoned tofu on the wire rack in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
Step 5: Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. During the baking, take the sheet pan out of the oven every 10 minutes interval, flip the cubes, and put it back into the oven.
Step 6: Finally, once the tofu cubes look strikingly crisp and golden, take them out of the oven and transfer them to a serving dish. Let the baked tofu pieces cool for 5 minutes, this will helps make them crispier. Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds on top and enjoy!
4. How To Cook Tofu in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 block of extra-firm Tofu (15-16 ounces)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tsp black pepper powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400 °F
Step 2: Next, drain the tofu and press tofu then cut them into smaller pieces
Step 3: In a large bowl, add tofu and mix them with olive oil, salt, paprika, and black pepper powder then coat it in cornstarch or arrowroot powder
Step 4: Spread out seasoned tofu pieces in an air fryer basket. In a single layer, without overlapping, and cook for 10-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until golden brown and crispy.
5. What To Serve With Tofu
Tofu works wonderfully in stir-fried dishes. Serve it alongside a colorful mix of fresh vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, and mushrooms. Season with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and your choice of spices for a flavorful and nutritious meal.
Serve tofu with cooked rice or cooked noodles such as rice noodles, udon noodles, or soba noodles. Tofu can be incorporated into fried rice or used as a protein component in noodle stir-fries.
Add tofu to salads for a boost of protein. Combine it with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, and your favorite salad dressing. You can also try marinating and grilling tofu to add a smoky flavor to your salad.
Tofu can be a fantastic addition to curries. Use it in Thai curries, Indian curries, or other flavorful curries along with vegetables, coconut milk, and spices. The tofu absorbs the rich flavors of the curry sauce and provides a satisfying texture.
6. How To Store Leftover Tofu
If you have cooked too much tofu or simply have leftovers, storing it properly will ensure that it stays fresh and delicious. Here are some tips for storing leftover tofu.
Tofu can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. When storing tofu, be sure to place it in an airtight container. This will help to keep it from drying out.
Cooked tofu can be stored for up to two months if frozen. When freezing tofu, be sure to place it in a freezer-safe container.
To thaw frozen tofu, simply place it in the refrigerator overnight or cook it from frozen.
Tofu is a food versatile and can be cooked in many different ways, making it a perfect ingredient for both main dishes and side dishes. With these instructions, I hope that you’ll know how to cook tofu like a pro. Good luck.
