The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Tofu!

Jason Sheasby
2 min readAug 3, 2018

You can make so many meals with tofu- the trick is learning how to cook it properly! Learn how to do it and you can make tofu burgers, tofu crumbles for pasta, create a tofu scramble for breakfast, or use a softer version for desserts. Follow this guide and you’ll be making delicious meals in no time.

Drain it before you cook it!

Your tofu won’t taste good if you don’t drain it. Drain it as much as you possibly can before cooking it! Here’s how:

  • Slice the block and place the slices on a baking sheet lined with paper towels
  • Put paper towels on top of the tofu
  • Place a heavy object on top of the tofu
  • Let it sit for 1 hour but 2 for best results

If you are wanting to marinate it, leave out the oil

After you’ve drained your tofu it’s ready for the marinade. Use soy, vinegar, or citrus-based marinades for the best results.

If you want it crispy, the secret ingredient is…

Cornstarch! Getting tofu to turn out crispy is tough but can be done with the help of cornstarch. Put it in a bowl, add your tofu, and toss it. A light coat is enough so be sure to shake off any excess cornstarch.

Keep the pan hot!

If your pan isn’t hot enough, it won’t cook properly. Before you throw that tofu into the pan make sure it is already hot!

The best oils to use

Both sesame oil and coconut oil are great options for frying or pan-searing. They add complementary flavors to the tofu as opposed to olive oil which can alter the taste in a negative way.

Don’t shy away from the seasonings

Salt! Herbs! Spices! Use them generously and your tofu will have amazing flavor. Tofu is most complained about when it is bland in taste so don’t be afraid to season it up.

Follow these tips and you’ll have the best tofu on the block. Remember to dry it thoroughly, add cornstarch for crispiness, throw it into an already-hot pan, and season it to taste. Tofu makes a great addition to many meals and is a favored meat-substitute when cooked properly!

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