How to Cook Tofu

coagulant

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice and vinegar can be used as natural coagulants for making tofu.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: tamari

💰Cheaper: coconut aminos

Tamari is gluten-free while coconut aminos offers a lower sodium alternative.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil provides a healthier fat option while canola oil is more budget-friendly.

ginger

🥗Healthier: turmeric

💰Cheaper: ground ginger

Turmeric adds health benefits and color, while ground ginger is often more affordable.

Line a rimmed baking sheet with a few layers of paper towel.

Place a block of drained extra firm tofu on top of the paper towels.

Place a few more paper towels on top of the tofu and add something heavy, like a cast iron skillet with canned goods, to press it.

Let the tofu sit for about 30 minutes to squeeze out extra moisture.

Prepare the sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, nut butter, and chili garlic paste; set aside.

After pressing, slice the tofu into half-inch thick slices, and cut into squares, cubes, or triangles as desired.

For baked tofu, place it in a shallow dish and cover completely with the prepared sauce; marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Transfer the marinated tofu to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35 to 45 minutes until browned and caramelized.

For sauteed tofu, heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add the tofu, and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden.

Add a little sauce to the pan and stir, allowing the tofu to cook for another 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce caramelizes at the edges.

For fried tofu, add enough oil to coat the bottom of a skillet and heat over medium-high until shimmering; carefully add the tofu and fry for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until crispy.

Remove the fried tofu and drain on a paper towel, seasoning with salt while hot.

For scrambled tofu, heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add several slices of tofu, and break them into small crumbles with a spatula.

Add a small amount of sauce and stir to coat; cook for about 15 to 17 minutes largely undisturbed, checking and stirring every 4 to 5 minutes for even crispiness.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens