How to cook tofu

Silken tofu

Silken tofu contains lots of moisture so is perfect for recipes which require it to be blended, such as adding to smoothies or in this recipe for tofu brekkie pancakes where it is used as a substitute for eggs.

Firm tofu

Firm tofu is a lot drier making it a good alternative to meat as it holds together much better. If shallow frying, wrap it in kitchen paper first, then place a weight on top such as a saucepan in order to squeeze out excess moisture. Coat it in your favourite spices, curry pastes, or marinades before frying. Try this technique with our spice-crusted tofu with kumquat salad recipe.

Marinated tofu

Marinated tofu has already been flavoured – try it in the following smoked tofu sandwich recipe:

How to prepare tofu for cooking

If you want to make extra crispy tofu, it's worth pressing it before cooking. This helps to improve the texture as it removes excess water. You can use a tofu press or simply cover with kitchen roll and weigh it down with a heavy pan or book.

Certain types of tofu don't need pressing before use, or depending on the dish, it might not be necessary. Find out more about how to press tofu.

How to cook tofu

Pan-fried tofu recipe

1. Start by draining your tofu, then wrap it in kitchen roll or a tea towel and press with a heavy object. Leave for about 20 minutes
2. Make a seasoning mix with cornflour, paprika, salt and pepper
3. Cut your tofu into pieces then toss in your seasoning
4. Heat up a frying pan with a little oil then pan-fry your tofu until golden and crispy, turning every few minutes

Discover our crispy tofu recipe.

Baked tofu recipe

1. Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7
2. Drain and pat dry the tofu, then cut into slices
3. Make a marinade of soy sauce, oil and garlic, then coat the chunks of tofu
4. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy

Try our crispy baked tofu recipe.

How to store cooked tofu

Allow cooked tofu to cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can reuse it cold in salads, or reheat (until piping hot) for other dishes such as curries, stir-fries and more.

Top tofu recipes

1. Satay tofu skewers

Serve up a summery treat with our satay tofu skewers. You can throw this healthy vegan dish together in just 25 minutes, and it's packed with flavour and ideal for a simple barbecue spread.

2. Next level pad Thai

Add crispy tofu, prawns, pickled turnip and tamarind to take this classic dish up a notch. Our next level pad Thai makes a decadent dinner for two, but it’s really simple to make. Spend just 10 minutes cooking up this delicious dish and serve with pride.

3. Tofu scramble

Switch up your standard breakfast fare with our tofu scramble. Add some curry spices, sweet cherry tomatoes and whip up this healthy plateful for two. If you’re looking for something egg-free or a simple vegan breakfast idea, give this super scramble a go.

4. Burmese tofu fritters (tohu jaw)

Serve up our Burmese-inspired tofu fritters with an addictive garlic dipping sauce for a simple starter or a tasty snack. They’re everything we want from a canapé – soft and fluffy on the inside, crispy and golden brown on the outside.

5. Smoked tofu vegan burger

Our smoked tofu burger takes a little effort, but it’s well worth it – it really packs a punch. The crunchy veg slaw and spicy mayo is the perfect accompaniment to this brilliant burger. Come barbecue season, this terrific tofu creation will be top of our recipe list.

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What’s your favourite way to serve tofu? Leave a comment below...