Silken tofu recipe ideas to enjoy this versatile soy ingredient. Delicious ideas from vegan chocolate mousse to breakfast scramble, and Japanese Hiyayakko to Korean Sundubu Jjigae. Discover your new favorite soft tofu recipe today.
Tofu comes in many forms, but one of its most overlooked and underrated varieties is undoubtedly silken tofu. But with so many incredible recipes that incorporate it as its core ingredient, silken tofu deserves much more hype.
Some people are often put off by its wet and jelly-like texture, but the truth is that this soy protein ingredient is far more versatile than you might think. While firm tofu might be easy to replicate the taste and mouthful of meat in stir-fry dishes or curries, silken tofu can be used for so much more.
Each of these silken tofu recipes is fun, protein-rich, and loaded with flavor. From spicy Asian classics to chocolate desserts, these easy recipes demonstrate everything we love about this underrated type of tofu. Let’s get into it.
Breakfast Scramble
Start the day right with breakfast tofu scramble. This easy alternative to classic scrambled eggs swaps in crumbled tofu and infuses it with ground turmeric to produce its tantalizing yellow color, while a splash of cashew milk helps to add fluffy texture. Perfect for a quick and protein-packed breakfast.
Chocolate Mousse
Thanks to its smooth texture, silken tofu is a staple in many vegan desserts, where it can replace eggs and dairy. In this recipe, silken tofu combines with dark chocolate and maple syrup to make an easy yet decadent mousse that people won’t believe comes together with only a few ingredients.
All you have to do is melt the chocolate and add it to a blended mixture of silken tofu and maple syrup.
Chinese Braised Tofu
Many savory tofu recipes rely on getting the tofu as firm as possible so that it can substitute for meat. However, this braised tofu recipe leans into silken tofu’s natural smoothness. Deep-frying it first creates a flavorful crust.
Besides tofu, you will need vegetables, such as mushrooms, and a braising liquid made of stock and soy sauce. After deep-frying the tofu, stir-fry it with the veggies and sauce to let it absorb the flavor.
Spicy Mapo Tofu
Mapo tofu is a famous traditional dish from China’s Sichuan Province. The spicy, comforting dish is a favorite in Chinese restaurants, but you can also make it at home with this recipe.
Besides silken tofu, you will need ground pork, scallions, and plenty of Sichuan peppercorns. Start by stir-frying the aromatics to make the sauce, then add the tofu and ground pork. Finish with scallions and homemade chili oil.
Sundubu Jjigae
Silken tofu is a staple food in many East Asian cuisines, including Korean. This traditional Korean stew is packed with warming, spicy flavors, filling tofu, and fresh seafood.
Besides silken tofu, you will need Korean chili oil, a mix of seafood and vegetables (the recipe uses clams, shrimp, and enoki mushrooms), and aromatics for the soup base. You can get these ingredients in your local Korean grocery store or Asian market. The soup comes together in minutes and is a delicious dinner idea.
Soy Sauce & Green Onion
This simple Chinese cold dish comes together in just five minutes but is absolutely packed with flavor. Traditionally, it is an appetizer or a side dish accompanying larger meals, and it can be a good dinner party option for vegans.
Besides silken tofu, you will need green onion, toasted sesame oil, and soy sauce. Just cut the tofu into cubes, sprinkle with chopped green onions, and finish with the sauce.
Katsuobushi & Garlic Soy Dressing
This dish uses a simple dressing to flavor tofu. To turn it into a complete meal, serve over rice for a filling vegan dinner, or serve it as a side dish at a dinner party.
As well as tofu, you will need mirin, soy sauce, vegetable oil, garlic, and green onions for the aromatic sauce. Make the dressing and pour over cooked tofu, before topping with Katsuobushi bonito flakes (a Japanese smoked tuna garnish).
Tomato Salad & Soy Sauce Dressing
On summer days, you probably don’t want to spend your afternoon over a hot stovetop. This simple salad highlights the best in seasonal flavors. The tofu is served cold, which makes the meal even more refreshing.
Besides silken tofu, you will need tomatoes, soy sauce, olive oil, pepper, and toasted sesame oil. Cook the tomatoes in the olive oil and pepper until the vegetables soften, then add to a bowl with the tofu and sesame oil.
Japanese Hiyayakko
Besides Chinese and Korean, Japanese cuisine also uses silken tofu in traditional recipes. This chilled tofu recipe, or hiyayakko, is a popular appetizer or side dish served in the summer.
Besides silken tofu, you will need green onion, ginger, soy sauce, and bonito flakes. Drain the tofu and top with the other ingredients. You can also add other toppings, such as chopped ham or vegetables, to personalize the dish.
Noodle Stir Fry
Replicate your favorite takeout flavors with this stir fry recipe. Once you learn how to make tofu stir fry, you can customize it endlessly by switching out the vegetables depending on what you have on hand.
Besides tofu, you will need your choice of vegetables (this recipe uses spinach), garlic, soy sauce, ginger, and scallions. Stir-fry all of the ingredients in a wok or skillet, then serve with rice or noodles.
Lasagna
Silken tofu’s smooth texture makes it the perfect replacement in a cheeseless lasagna, proving that the ingredient isn’t limited to just Asian recipes. To make vegan lasagna, you will also need noodles, marinara sauce, herbs, and vegetables such as mushrooms and spinach.
Combine the silken tofu with the herbs to make a ricotta-like filling, then assemble as you would a traditional lasagna.
