Sesame Soy Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu) (2024)

FAQs

Are soft tofu and silken tofu the same? ›

Silken tofu also called soft, silk, or Japanese-style tofu has a softer consistency than regular tofu and will fall apart if not handled carefully. You may notice that silken tofu (soft tofu), unlike regular tofu, is sometimes packaged in aseptic boxes that do not require refrigeration.

And silken tofu, on the opposite end of the spectrum, isn't pressed at all, and it's so soft that it can be eaten with a spoon. I find that it makes a welcome addition to my winter hot pots and summer salads. It's also useful as a supporting player in sauces and even as a binder in meatballs.

Tofu Nutrition

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

If the recipe calls for silken tofu (soft tofu), you can try using yogurt. If a firm or extra firm tofu is being used in a recipe, you could try mashed beans or chickpeas, lean meat, lean fish, and seafood (as a protein source) would work well. It is very important to get animal and plant-based protein with food.

If it's dry then it's fine to use without pressing. Pressing won't work with any type of silken tofu as silken tofu is too soft and the process will crush it completely. Silken tofu is best used in dishes where it is lightly cooked or blended, like in our vegan mayonnaise.

Soft and silken tofu are ready to go right out of the package (though, technically, any tofu can be eaten raw). Drain off the excess water, and eat up! Draining/Blotting: For block tofu, I like to slit the package and drain out the packing water.

You can eat raw tofu without cooking directly from the pack, but make sure that you drain off the excess water first because it does not add anything to the experience.

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

Soft tofu and silken tofu are the most common types in which we've seen people eating raw, but you can safely try any type.

Contains antinutrients

Like most plant foods, tofu contains several antinutrients. These compounds are naturally found in plant foods and lower your body's ability to absorb nutrients from food ( 6 ).

Can you eat silken tofu everyday? ›

"For the vast majority of people, it should be reasonable to incorporate tofu in their daily diet without any issues," Sun said. He and his family eat "probably three servings per week," Sun said. He likes using soft tofu in soups and firm tofu – frozen and cut up – in a traditional Chinese hot pot.

Foods that have undergone some processing but contain very little or no added sugars and salt are considered “minimally processed” or simply “processed.” These include whole grain pasta, whole grain flours, tofu, and tempeh.

Soft silken tofu would be my choice for blending into desserts or slicing into miso soup, but if you're serving it as a main dish or topping it onto bowls, extra-firm is what you'll need. It has a heartier, denser texture and less water content than other types of tofu.

To make an egg replacement out of silken tofu, just take 1/4 cup of tofu per 1 whole egg and pulse it in a blender or food processor until it's broken up. Then, substitute as you please! Just make sure you use *silken* tofu, not firm tofu, as it won't yield the same result.

For the best results, I recommend pressing tofu for at least 30 minutes before cooking, though longer is great if you're able to plan ahead. In a pinch, even less time can make a big difference. I pressed the left block of tofu in the photo above for just 20 minutes. An unpressed block of tofu is on the right.

Silken vs Firm Tofu. When it comes to cooking with tofu, the type you choose makes all the difference. You'll see two types of tofu in the supermarkets, firm and silken, both of which have different consistencies. Firm or extra-firm has less water in it, while silken tofu is more water-dense.

Soondubu is a Korean tofu stew recipe made with silken tofu as the main ingredient. It's usually made with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to yield a spicy broth, and you can vary the veggies and meat (or seafood) you put in it.

Press the box from the center to create gaps that allow air to enter, helping the tofu to loosen from the packaging. Insert a small paring knife in one of the corners to create a bigger gap.

Extra firm tofu – Extra-firm tofu is best, but regular firm will work. Unlike medium or soft tofu, extra-firm is made and packed with very little liquid (which is all pressed out before frying). The wetter your tofu is, the more it will fall apart.