{"id":8419,"date":"2023-10-28T05:06:04","date_gmt":"2023-10-27T22:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8419"},"modified":"2023-10-28T05:06:04","modified_gmt":"2023-10-27T22:06:04","slug":"6-different-types-of-tofu-and-how-to-use-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=8419","title":{"rendered":"6 Different Types of Tofu and How to Use Them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div itemprop=\"articleBody\">\n<p class=\"p1\">Unless you\u2019re a diehard vegan, you probably don\u2019t think of tofu as the most appetizing food. But this seemingly basic block of soy is full of potential, and there are so many different types of tofu to work with!<\/p>\n<p>In just a few simple steps, you can create a super tasty source of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/10-great-vegetarian-sources-protein\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">plant-based protein<\/a> that\u2019s crispy or creamy, spicy or smoky, sweet or savory \u2014 you name it.<\/p>\n<p>All it takes is selecting the right kind of tofu and preparing it correctly. Using silken tofu in a stir-fry will lead to a soggy mess, while trying to blend extra-firm tofu into your smoothie will likely result in a chunky consistency.<\/p>\n<p>Avoid kitchen disasters by following this guide to cooking with different types of tofu.<\/p>\n<h2>What Is Tofu?<\/h2>\n<p>Tofu is made from soybeans and water (essentially, soy milk) with added coagulant, most often\u00a0nigari (liquid that remains after salt is removed from seawater). It comes in two different consistencies: \u201cblock\u201d or \u201cregular\u201d tofu, and silken tofu. The difference is that block tofu is pressed, so it has less water, and therefore generally retains its shape better.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTofu is affordable, versatile, nutritious, and delicious. It can be used in both savory and sweet applications and generally takes on the flavor of whatever you cook it with,\u201d says vegan chef\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.laurenkretzer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lauren Kretzer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Types of Tofu<\/h2>\n<p>Here\u2019s a breakdown of the different tofu types you\u2019ll encounter, and the best ways to use each one.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=openfit-list-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00FTBGZTU\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2ZiXiIL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Super-firm tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/61fbErxykQL._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"347\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Super-firm block tofu has the least water and the most protein \u2014 about <a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/175234\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">11 grams per 3 ounces<\/a>. It\u2019s a hearty, chewy tofu that\u2019s great when you want a \u201cmeaty\u201d protein but don\u2019t want actual meat.<\/p>\n<p>Since this tofu is denser, it isn\u2019t the best at soaking up marinades. Instead, cook it with a glaze or something like a healthy barbecue sauce or gravy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0stir-fried, pan-fried, grilled, baked, crumbled, in sandwiches, as kebabs, as nuggets.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2ZiWWBV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Extra-firm tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/91xkCB9duLL._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"360\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Just a tad less dense than super-firm tofu is extra-firm block tofu. This is still a good source of protein, with about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/174290\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">9 grams per 3 ounces<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>You can use extra-firm tofu in the same ways you\u2019d use super-firm tofu, so don\u2019t stress if you can only find one in your supermarket.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0stir-fried, pan-fried, grilled, baked, crumbled, in sandwiches, as kebabs, as nuggets.<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=openfit-list-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B074H6QW6C\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/31WKsS5\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Firm tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/818WInRtioL._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"360\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Going down in protein and firmness and up in water content is firm tofu, which has about <a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/172448\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">7 grams of protein per 3 ounces<\/a>. This is the tofu to grab if you\u2019re not sure what to use, or if you just want to keep tofu on hand, as it\u2019s the most versatile.<\/p>\n<p>As the name says, it\u2019s firm enough where it won\u2019t fall apart as you work with it (unless you decide to crumble it), but if you happened to drop a block on the counter from high up, it probably would fall apart.<\/p>\n<p>That porous texture also makes it a good marinade absorber \u2014 as long as you press it first (see below).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0stir-fried, pan-fried, baked, scrambled, in soups, in sandwiches, as vegan \u201cfeta\u201d or \u201cricotta.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=openfit-list-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00112R30G\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Zhzftx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Medium tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81E5bQrvtYL._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"365\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The somewhat delicate medium block tofu should be handled carefully, so don\u2019t reach for this when you want to stir-fry nice, neat blocks of tofu.<\/p>\n<p>Instead, the silkier consistency is a great way to add a creamy note to recipes and about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.calorieking.com\/us\/en\/foods\/f\/calories-in-tofu-products-premium-medium-firm-tofu\/32AB6O5FRrq7bTpO3p7nLg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">6 grams of protein per 3 ounces<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0in miso soup (cubed), in dressings, in dips, in creamy casseroles, in cold dishes (like tofu caprese salad).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=openfit-list-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B00TZFUA92\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/33OAzHH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soft tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/81kD1oRsQoL._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"301\" height=\"366\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As you might guess, soft block tofu has the most water of the block tofus, but it still offers offers up about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/173787\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">5 grams<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/173783\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">7 grams of protein<\/a>\u00a0per 3 ounces. Be gentle as you handle soft tofu, as it tends to break apart easily.<\/p>\n<p>It lends a creamy consistency and hint of milky flavor to dishes, making it perfect for recipes that call for blending and pureeing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0in smoothies, in sauces, in dips, in dressings, in puddings, in vegan cheesecake, to replace eggs in baked goods.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"https:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=openfit-list-20&amp;language=en_US&amp;l=li3&amp;o=1&amp;a=B07FW25ZBJ\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2KKXV9I\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Silken tofu<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone \" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/819VtSCZo2L._SX679_.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"362\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Compared to block tofu, silken tofu has higher water content because it\u2019s unpressed. Silken tofu has a silky texture (hence the name) and falls apart easily. It should not be pressed; instead, silken tofu is meant to be used straight from the container.<\/p>\n<p>It comes in soft, firm, and extra firm varieties, but since they all have high water content, you can often use these kinds of silken tofu interchangeably in recipes. However, protein content will vary depending on the type.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best to use:<\/strong>\u00a0in smoothies, in sauces, in dips, in dressings, in puddings, in vegan cheesecake, to replace eggs in baked goods<\/p>\n<h2>How to Press Tofu<\/h2>\n<p>If a tofu recipe calls for pressing the tofu, you probably don\u2019t want to omit that step. Pressing helps remove water so the tofu has a firmer texture, making sure your recipe doesn\u2019t wind up with too much liquid.<\/p>\n<p>Most of the time you\u2019ll only press firm, extra-firm, and super-firm block tofu, as the other tofu is too delicate to press.<\/p>\n<p>To press tofu, you can buy a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2KGyxAJ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tofu press<\/a>, but it\u2019s not absolutely necessary. If you don\u2019t have a press:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Place the tofu between paper towels or dish towels on a cutting board or plate.<\/li>\n<li>Place another plate or dish on top and weigh that down with heavy objects like cans of beans, cookbooks, or more plates.<\/li>\n<li>Let the tofu drain for at least 20 minutes. Then it\u2019s ready for your recipe!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Different Ways to Cook Tofu<\/h2>\n<p>You can prepare the many different types of tofu in many different ways. Head to the kitchen and experiment with some of the following to see what you like best.<\/p>\n<h3>1. Baked tofu<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20145011\/types-of-tofu-600-baked.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166743\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20145011\/types-of-tofu-600-baked.jpg\" alt=\"Plate of Baked Tofu | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>After pressing extra-firm tofu, marinate it, then bake it until golden, stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.<\/p>\n<p>Kretzer suggests marinating in tamari and sesame oil. \u201cThe edges get golden and crisp, and I use it in sandwiches, sliced on salads, or just served with some sauteed broccoli and potatoes.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>2. Fried tofu<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143838\/types-of-tofu-600-fried.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166739\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143838\/types-of-tofu-600-fried.jpg\" alt=\"Fried Tofu | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Press extra-firm tofu. Cube and coat it in cornstarch and any other seasonings. Pan-fry in a small amount of oil until crispy on all sides. Or, try making it in an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/what-is-an-air-fryer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">air fryer<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h3>3. Tofu dips<\/h3>\n<p>Use silken tofu instead of sour cream or yogurt as the base for creamy dips.<\/p>\n<h3>4. Tofu sauces and dressings<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143855\/types-of-tofu-600-puree.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166741\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143855\/types-of-tofu-600-puree.jpg\" alt=\"Tofu Being Blended into Puree | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Rather than using heavy cream to make pasta sauces and salad dressings, puree soft or silken tofu with your other ingredients. \u201cI put some silken tofu in a blender with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and capers, and it makes a great vegan Caesar dressing,\u201d Kretzer says.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Tofu nuggets<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143846\/types-of-tofu-600-nuggets.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166740\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20143846\/types-of-tofu-600-nuggets.jpg\" alt=\"Fried and Battered Tofu | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Press a block of extra-firm tofu, then cut into nugget-size pieces. One piece at a time, coat in batter, and then in breading. Place on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown, turning at least once.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Tofu \u201cegg\u201d salad<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/27095600\/types-of-tofu-600-egg-salad.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166976\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/27095600\/types-of-tofu-600-egg-salad.jpg\" alt=\"tofu egg salad | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"357\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Use firm tofu and mash it up to use as a replacement for eggs in your usual recipe. Kretzer likes to add\u00a0turmeric, vegan mayo, and chopped celery and red onion.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Tofu ricotta<\/h3>\n<p>Press firm tofu. Crumble into a food processor and add lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and any seasonings you desire. Process to a ricotta-like consistency.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Tofu feta<\/h3>\n<p>Press firm tofu and cut it into cubes. In a bowl, combine miso, lemon juice, garlic,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/8-essential-spices-to-keep-in-your-pantry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">herbs<\/a>, salt, and a little water. Add it to the cubed tofu and toss to coat well. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, then use it as you would feta.<\/p>\n<h3>9. Tofu smoothies<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20151245\/types-of-tofu-600-smoothie.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-166745\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/20151245\/types-of-tofu-600-smoothie.jpg\" alt=\"Tofu Processed into Smoothie | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Blend silken or soft tofu with your other ingredients in place of milk or yogurt for a super silky\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.beachbodyondemand.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-superfood-smoothie\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">smoothie<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/28140916\/types-of-tofu-600-pin.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-165731\" src=\"https:\/\/bod-blog-assets.prod.cd.beachbodyondemand.com\/bod-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/28140916\/types-of-tofu-600-pin.png\" alt=\"BODi pin of bowl of tofu | Types of Tofu\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unless you\u2019re a diehard vegan, you probably don\u2019t think of tofu as the most appetizing food. But this seemingly basic block of soy is full of potential, and there are so many different types of tofu to work with! In just a few simple steps, you can create a super tasty source of\u00a0plant-based protein that\u2019s &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8419","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8419"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8419\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8420"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8419"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8419"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8419"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}