What is Tofu Anyway?

What is tofu anyway? Tofu is made from soy beans, and it's actually extremely delicious and versatile if you know what you’re doing with it. It's also very good for you! Here, I give you the low-down on this vegan protein staple, including the different types of tofu and how to use it.

I've included some of my favorite healthy plant-based recipes, too. You'll find the best ways to use it, as well as recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and dessert. I've included recipes for silken, firm, extra firm, super firm, and baked tofu.

What is Tofu?

In my work as a health coach and cooking teacher, I’ve come across a few people with tofuphobia. I think it comes from not knowing exactly what it is.

Tofu is actually endless possibilities! It make look like a bland, white block, but there's so much that can be done with it.

It's believed to have originated in China, probably sometime between 179 – 122 B.C. It was introduced to the people of Japan and Korea sometime in the 700s.

What is Tofu Made Of?

Tofu is sort of like cheese made with soy milk rather than cows’ milk. It’s made by curdling fresh soymilk with a coagulant, such as nigari, calcium sulfate, lemon juice, or vinegar.

That's it. It's made with soy beans, water, and a coagulant.

What Does Tofu Taste Like?

It has a soft, subtle flavor, and it picks up the tastes of the spices and sauces it’s cooked with. I don't know of anyone who eats it straight from the package. It's usually marinated, seasoned, or cooked with a sauce.

Honestly, when people say they don't like it, what they're actually telling me they don't know how to cook with it. That's an easy fix, because I've shared some of my favorite recipes at the bottom of this article.

Where to Buy Tofu

It can sometimes be found in the produce area of the grocery store. Some stores keep it with the dairy times. With the proliferation of plant-based foods, stores are getting savvy to buyers' needs and creating a vegan area with tofu, tempeh, seitan, and dairy-free cheeses.

Some of my favorite brands are Nasoya, Wildwood, Mori-Nu, Trader Joe's, and Whole Food's 365 brand.

Tofu Nutrition

One 3-ounce serving contains:

• 90 calories
• 10 grams of protein
• 40 mg of calcium
• 1 gram of carbohydrates
• 1.6 mg iron
• 140 mg potassium

And it's cholesterol free!

Health Benefits of Tofu

Because it's relatively low in calories and high in protein, it's a really good option for vegans. It’s not required eating when you follow a vegan diet. And, yes, omnivores can eat it too!

• It's high in calcium, magnesium and iron.
• Epidemiological studies have found that soy protein may reduce the risk for cancers including breast, lung, colon and prostate.
• Soy protein has also been shown to be useful for warding off heart disease, because it has been known to lower cholesterol and enhance coronary artery function.
• Asian cultures that have been consuming soy for thousands of years have lower instances of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.

Is Tofu Healthy?

There has been a lot of hubbub in the nutrition world as to whether or not soy is healthy. The truth is that most of the studies that show soy being harmful are funding by the meat industry and are done using isolated soy protein, which is as far from the soybean as you can get.

Tofu is made from beans, and we already know that beans are good for you, so yes, it is healthy!

And despite any urban legends you may have heard, eating soy will not cause man-boobs. Tofu is perfectly healthy for men.

Types of Tofu

It comes comes in several varieties. There's silken, firm, extra firm, and super firm. I used to come across soft tofu frequently, but I haven't seen it in grocery stores in years. You can also find baked and marinaded varieties in a lot of stores.

Silken Tofu

The silken variety is sold in both shelf-stable aseptic packages and water packed tubs. It works well in dips, dressings, smoothies, and mousses.

I once topped cupcakes with an incredible chocolate mousse frosting and served it to my tofuphobic coworkers who raved about how delicious my baked goods were. After they licked up every last morsel, I told them that the main ingredient was silken tofu. They were all stunned. I think I made tofu believers out of them that day.

Firm and Extra Firm Tofu

Firm, extra firm, and super firm varieties are all in the firm tofu category, and they usually come packed in water and need to be refrigerated.

Honestly, I don’t notice too much for a difference between the firm and extra firm varieties. They're both extremely versatile. I fluff it up in my food processor along with lemon juice, garlic and spices to make creamy ricotta “cheese." It can be mashed and scramble it for breakfast like eggs. You can slice it and stir-fry it with veggies for dinner. Or you can chop it up to add to curries and stews. It's also great baked or fried.

Super firm tofu is… well… super firm. In the summertime I like to cube it, marinate it, and grill it on the barbecue, as it holds up to being grilled better than extra firm does. I also like to slice it, fry it, and have it on an English muffin, the way some people might serve fried eggs.

Baked Tofu

Baked varieties are also readily available in most grocery stores, and it can be eating right out of the package. I like to slice it and make it into a sandwich or cube it to add it to salads. You can also easily bake your own by slicing it, marinading it, and then baking it at 400°F for half an hour.

Baked tofu is also a good choice for slow cooker meals because it can stand up to prolonged cooking without falling apart the way other varieties might.

Preparing Tofu

Firm and extra firm tofu are usually not good to go right out of the package. To prepare them, you need to drain the water from the container and squeeze out an excess liquid. You can do this the night before by wrapping it in a clean towel and placing it in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. The towel will soak up the excess water.

If you’re going to cook with it right away, you can wrap it in a towel and place it under something heavy, like a cast iron pan. You can also use a tofu press. I have a TofuXpress, which I also use to drain frozen spinach and kale.

Freezing Tofu

Freezing it is a great way to give it a slightly “meaty” texture. Simply place entire the package in your freezer, let it freeze completely, and then thaw it in your fridge or on the counter. Press the tofu to squeeze out any excess water.

Then you can crumble it and add to tomato sauce to make a vegan bolognese, mix it with sauce and spices to make sloppy joes, or mix with mayo and spices to make a tasty "tofuna" salad.

My Favorite Tofu Recipes Include:

Silken

Vegan "Eggs" Florentine

Brunch doesn’t get any better than this! Made with silken tofu, spinach, and dairy-free hollandaise sauce, this recipe is perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, or any day you’re craving a savory breakfast dish.

Caesar Salad Dressing

This homemade dressing is destined to be your new favorite condiment! Pour it on salads, slather it on sandwiches, or use it as a dip for veggies!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

This creamy is sure to be the star of your next party!

Sunbutter and Chocolate Pretzel Pie

This decadent dessert is made with just six ingredeints and it comes together in a matter of minutes!

Firm and Extra Firm

Tofu Frittata

This recipe is an old favorite, and it’s perfect for Sunday brunch.

Spinach Mushroom Scrambled Tofu

This is one of my favorite weekend breakfast dishes, and I make it often.

Spinach Mushroom Quiche

I make this dish often for potlucks, and it’s always a bit hit!

Tofu Benedict 

This is the ultimate vegan brunch dish! It’s made with greens, tomato slices, and tempeh bacon and then drenched in a dairy-free hollandaise sauce.

Tofu Tuna Salad Sandwiches

Pack your lunch box with these easy to make sandwiches! They’re great for the office or for school

Tofu and Shirataki Noodle Stir-Fry

Dinner doesn’t get much easier than this dish!

Kung Pao Tofu

Spice things up with vegan kung pao! It’s an easy-to-make stir-fry that is perfect for dinner on busy weeknights.

Hajiki Tofu Burgers

These burgers take me make to Greenwich Village in the 1990s, when I was in art school and didn’t have much money to spend on meals.

Baked

My Favorite Baked Tofu

This versatile recipe can be used in salads, sandwiches, Buddha bowls, and even as an appetizer with dip!

Za'atar Tofu

This is a wonderful addition to any salad, wrap or Buddha bowl. It’s also a great appetizer or snack!

Everything Tofu

Covered in a mixture of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic, onion, and salt — this is baked tofu perfection!

Cornmeal Crusted Tofu

This is a great addition to any meal, and it’s incredibly versatile. Serve it with vegetables and rice for dinner, toss it into a salad, or make it the star of a sandwich for lunch.

Other Recipes

Peanut Satay Tofu Triangles

This delicious recipe from 5-Ingredient Vegan by Nava Atlas is super easy to make. Serve it with vegetables and noodles or rice for dinner, on top of a salad for lunch, or with baby carrots for a snack.

Soy Chorizo

This recipe only takes a few minutes to make, and it can be used in tacos, salads, burritos, chili, quesadillas, or whatever strikes your fancy!

Tofu Feta

With just a block of tofu and a few other ingredients, this non-dairy feta cheese recipe is easy to make. Crumble your homemade dairy-free feta on salads, top pizzas with it, and stuff it into a sandwich for an extra burst of flavor.

What are your favorite ways to prepare tofu?