How to Season Tofu

Co-authored by Yoko Isassi

Last Updated: January 19, 2023 References

Tofu is a terrific healthy option for adding more protein to your diet without packing on the calories. Made from bean curd and water, tofu is a particularly great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians. However, at times, tofu can be as bland as it is nutritious, and it can seem impossible to cook in a way to satisfy both your health consciousness and your taste buds. Fortunately, after you’ve pressed and cut it, there are some quick and easy ways to season your tofu with spices or a marinade for a delicious and healthy complement to any meal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Pressing and Cutting Your Tofu

1
Slice your tofu block into smaller slices that are easier to press. Drain the package and remove the tofu block. Then, cut your tofu into slices roughly 2 in (5.1 cm) long, 1 in (2.5 cm) tall, and 0.5 in (1.3 cm) deep.
2
Press the tofu slices to dry them. Most tofu blocks will come packed with water, and you’ll need to remove as much of this stored moisture as possible to allow the tofu to soak up flavor. Lay your slices from the previous step out on a paper towel. Add a layer of paper towels on top of them, then place a heavy object on top of these paper towels to press the tofu.^{[1]
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- A convenient heavy object you can use might be an iron skillet or a particularly heavy cookbook.
- How long you should press the tofu may depend on what your recipe calls for, but in general, you should let your tofu slices sit and drain for at least 1 hour before proceeding.^{[2]
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3
Cut your tofu into 0.5 in (1.3 cm) cubes. Although your cubes can be bigger than this, smaller tofu cubes will absorb flavor more efficiently and be easier to cook. Different recipes may call for different sizes and shapes of tofu, although slicing your tofu cubes to this size will give them a dense, juicy core surrounded by a crisp crust.
- Tofu can also be cooked in slabs, speared chunks, or crumbles. Experiment with different cut sizes to see what works best for you.
- If you plan to crumble your tofu instead of slicing it, consider using soft tofu as opposed to firm or extra-firm tofu. Soft tofu has a custard-like texture, and will be much easier to crumble by hand.^{[3]
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- Before making tofu crumble, you need drain the water from tofu, otherwise the crumble will be very watery.
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Coat the cubes with cornstarch before adding dry seasoning. Place 2 US tbsp (30 mL) cornstarch in a small bowl and add your tofu cubes. Toss the cubes in the bowl until they have a light cornstarch coat.^{[4]
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- The cornstarch will absorb any excess moisture still left in your tofu cubes and give them a crispy crust after cooking.
- You might also use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch.
- Adding cornstarch is especially important for frying tofu. If you’re baking or steaming tofu, however, you may be able to skip this step.
- When you apply cornstarch to tofu depends on which type of seasoning you will use. If using dry seasoning, toss your tofu before seasoning it. If using a marinade, toss your tofu in cornstarch after seasoning it.^{[5]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Flavoring Tofu with Dry Seasonings

1
Use blackened seasoning to make flavorful grilled tofu. Pour 1 US tbsp (15 mL) soy sauce into a small bowl and dip your tofu slices in the sauce. In a separate bowl, mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) paprika, 2 tsp (9.9 mL) black pepper, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) salt, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) garlic powder, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) onion powder, 1 tsp (4.9 mL) cayenne pepper, 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) dried oregano, and 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) dried thyme. Finally, dip each side of each tofu slice in your blackened seasoning mixture.^{[6]
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- A 14 oz (400 g) block of tofu should be enough for this amount of seasoning.
- Make sure each tofu slice is generously coated with your spice mixture after you dip it into the bowl.
- For best results, grill your slices on a medium-hot grill for 5 minutes on each side.
- Blackened seasoning is a spice blend with a black pepper and paprika base, and is very popular with grilled chicken and fish.^{[7]
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2
Season diced tofu with curry for a South Asian flavor. Combine 2 US tbsp (30 mL) curry powder, 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) salt, and 0.25 tsp (1.2 mL) black pepper in a small bowl. Toss your tofu cubes in a medium bowl with 1 tsp (4.9 mL) of your seasoning mixture.^{[8]
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- You’ll want to use between 12 oz (340 g) and 14 oz (400 g) of tofu for this recipe.
- For the best way to cook tofu seasoned with curry, heat 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of oil in a skillet and cook your tofu cubes until slightly brown (roughly 6-8 minutes).
- Saute your tofu with your other ingredients (e.g., sliced onions, chopped kale) and the remainder of your seasoning mixture for a full delicious meal.
3
Sprinkle salt and pepper on diced tofu for a simple seasoning solution. Transfer your tofu into a small dish and pour 1 tsp (4.9 mL) salt onto the cubes. Toss the cubes to make sure they are evenly coated. Repeat this process with pepper, adding the amount you wish to use.
- Salted tofu tastes very good fried, but this method of seasoning is versatile enough to be used with almost any style of cooking!
- There is no strict guideline for how much pepper to use for seasoning; season your tofu cubes to taste. For a mild to moderate flavor, try using 2 tsp (9.9 mL) of pepper.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Marinating Your Tofu

1
Use barbecue sauce to make spicy tofu slices. Pour 0.5 c (120 mL) barbecue sauce in a small dish. Toss your tofu slices in the sauce until they’re evenly coated, then let them marinate in the sauce for 1 hour. Bake your tofu at 400 °F (204 °C) for 40 minutes, turning them over and brushing them with more barbecue sauce after the first 20 minutes.^{[10]
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- For this recipe, use 14 oz (400 g) to 16 oz (450 g) of tofu.
- Barbecue tofu is one of the easiest marinades to make, especially because the ingredients are usually very easy to find.
2
Marinate tofu in teriyaki sauce to go with Japanese cuisine. Combine 0.25 c (59 mL) soy sauce, 0.25 c (59 mL) mirin, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) light brown sugar, 1 US tbsp (15 mL) ginger, and 3 cloves minced garlic in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let simmer until you have a syrupy teriyaki sauce (roughly 5 minutes). Toss the tofu and 0.25 c (59 mL) teriyaki sauce in a bowl until evenly coated and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- You’ll need 14 oz (400 g) of tofu for this recipe.
- You can also buy pre-made teriyaki sauce from most grocery stores.
- To make a whole meal, cook the tofu in a frying pan with any other ingredients you choose to use.
- Teriyaki tofu is very popular and goes well with nearly any East Asian dish.
3
Make lemon herb tofu for a sweet and spicy flavor. Mix 3 US tbsp (44 mL) soy sauce, 2 US tbsp (30 mL) lemon juice, 2 tsp (9.9 mL) olive oil, 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) garlic powder, 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) dried thyme, 0.5 tsp (2.5 mL) sage, and 0.25 tsp (1.2 mL) black pepper in a shallow dish. Place your tofu pieces in the dish, using a spoon to cover the tofu in the marinade. Then, let the tofu marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, flipping the pieces halfway through the process.
- For this amount of seasoning, use 14 oz (400 g) of tofu.
- Bake the marinated tofu at 400 °F (204 °C) for 30 minutes, flipping them over after the first 15 minutes. Be sure the marinade has completely dried on the tofu bits before taking them out of the oven.^{[11]
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- Cut your tofu into cubes or crumble it into bits for best results with this recipe.
- Lemon herb tofu works very well in sandwiches or on salads.