How to cook with Tofu

How to cook with Tofu.

How to Make Tofu Tastful

Tofu is incredibly versatile, think of it as a blank canvas for flavour.
Whether you’re making a sizzling stir-fry, a creamy curry, or crispy Tofu bites, the secret to delicious tofu lies in how you prepare it.

Before you get cooking, let’s explore some different preparation techniques. From pressing and marinating to frying and grilling. With the right method, tofu goes from ‘bland’ to brilliant.

Marinating

Tofu has a naturally mild flavour which makes it the perfect base for bold seasonings and sauces. Marinating is one of the best ways to bring it to life.

Vivera’s Quick Marinating Firm Tofu is specially designed to soak up flavour fast. Why? It’s been pre-frozen, which changes the texture and helps it absorb marinades even better. That means more taste, less waiting.

How to marinate Tofu (Step-by-Step):

1. Start with Firm Tofu: Vivera’s Quick Marinating Tofu is ideal – it’s firm, pre-frozen, and soaks up flavour beautifully in minutes.

2. Squeeze out excess liquid: Drain the Tofu from the pack. Gently press it with your hands or use a paper towel to remove any extra moisture. This helps the marinade sink in.

3. Cut to suit your dish. Slice the Tofu into cubes, strips, or slabs; whatever works best for your recipe.

4. Make your marinade: For a classic all-purpose flavour, mix together soy sauce, crushed garlic, a splash of vinegar, and a touch of maple syrup. You can also experiment with spices, oils, or chilli if you fancy more heat.

5. Let it marinate: Add the Tofu to your marinade in a bowl or container. Give it a gentle stir or shake to coat evenly. Thanks to Vivera’s unique texture, just 5 minutes is enough to make a difference but, longer is even better!

Air-frying

Looking to cook Tofu with a golden, crispy texture. Perfect for salads, Buddha bowls, or as a healthy snack. Try it in the air-fryer!

1. Choose Firm Tofu: for the best bite. Vivera’s Quick Marinating Tofu works brilliantly.

2. Squeeze out excess liquid: Drain the Tofu from the pack. Gently press it with your hands or use a paper towel to remove any extra moisture. This helps the Tofu crisp up.

3. Cut & Season: Slice the Tofu into bite-sized cubes and pop them in a bowl. Add a splash of oil, a dash of soy sauce, a sprinkle of garlic powder and paprika.
Top Tip: Toss in a teaspoon of cornflour for extra crispiness.

4. Air-Fry to perfection: Place the Tofu in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 200°C for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crisp on the outside.

Breading

Fancy an extra-crispy Tofu bite? Coat your Tofu and enjoy a satisfying crunch – perfect for wraps, dipping, or as a crispy topping!

1. Use Firm Tofu. Start with Firm Tofu for the best texture.

2. Squeeze out excess liquid. Drain the tofu from the pack. Gently press it with your hands or use a paper towel to remove any extra moisture. This helps the tofu crisp up.

3. Slice the Tofu: Cut the Tofu into slices or cubes, depending on your dish.

4. Prepare your breading station. Set up three bowls: one with plain flour, one with soy milk, and one with breadcrumbs. Top tip: Season the breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, or mixed herbs for extra flavour.

5. Bread the Tofu: Coat each piece of Tofu in flour, then dip it into the soy milk, and finally coat it in breadcrumbs. Make sure it’s well covered for maximum crunch.

6. Bake until crispy: Place the breaded Tofu on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake in the oven at 200°C for 20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Shredding/Crumbling

One of the easiest and tastiest ways to use Tofu is to shred or crumble it. Shredded Tofu crisps up beautifully when fried or baked, while crumbled tofu is a brilliant plant-based swap for scrambled eggs or taco fillings.

1. Use Firm Tofu. Firm Tofu holds its shape best and gives the right texture for crumbling or shredding.

2. Squeeze out excess liquid: Gently press the Tofu by hand (or with a paper towel) to remove any extra liquid – this helps it crisp up when cooking.

3. Shred or crumble the Tofu to shred: Use a grater or fork to shred the Tofu.

4. Fry or bake: To Fry: Add the shredded or crumbled Tofu to a hot pan with a little oil and your favourite seasoning.
Top Tip: Try smoked paprika, garlic powder, or a pinch of turmeric for extra colour and flavour – especially for a tofu “scramble” effect.
Fry over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown and piping hot.
To Bake: Spread the Tofu on a lined baking tray. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with herbs or spices. Bake at 180°C for 15–20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crispy and lightly browned.

Grilling

Grilled or barbecued Tofu is a summer favourite with crispy edges, smoky flavour, and satisfying texture. Perfect for skewers or burgers, served straight off the grill!

1. Use Firm Tofu. Choose Firm Tofu for best results on the grill. Vivera’s Quick Marinating Tofu is ideal.

2. Squeeze out excess liquid: Gently press the Tofu by hand (or with a paper towel) to remove any extra liquid – this helps it crisp up better when grilling.

3. Cut into pieces: Cut the Tofu into thick slices or cubes (around 2–3 cm thick). If using skewers, cut into evenly sized cubes. If grilling directly, cut into thick slices to prevent breakage.

4. Marinate for flavour: Try a mix of soy sauce, olive oil, garlic, smoked paprika, and a splash of lemon juice.
Top Tip: Use an oil-based marinade to boost flavour and help prevent sticking on the grill or BBQ.

5. Preheat the grill or barbecue: If barbecuing: Light it and allow it to reach a medium-high heat. Wait until the coals are glowing and covered with a light layer of ash. If Grilling: Preheat to a medium-high setting.

6. Cook the Tofu: Place the skewers or slices onto the hot grill. Cook for 3–5 minutes on each side, turning gently with tongs. Your Tofu should be golden brown with a slightly crispy exterior and nice grill marks. Ensure it’s piping hot throughout.
Top Tip: If using a BBQ, close the lid to help it cook through evenly.

Delicious Recipes

Dive into the delightful world of Tofu now! We’ve curated an inspiring recipe collection, packed with mouth-watering and unexpected dishes. Click here to download and keep your favourite recipes to hand!

Top tips for preparing Tofu

A good Marinade is Key:

Tofu loves bold flavours! Try soy sauce, garlic, ginger, chilli, lemon juice, or sesame oil for a punchy marinade. Oil-based marinades help prevent sticking on the grill or BBQ, while a bit of sweetness (like maple syrup or agave) adds delicious caramelisation.

Remove excess moisture:

Squeezing out excess moisture from the Tofu helps you achieve a much crispier texture when cooking.

Smaller pieces cook quicker

Cut your Tofu into smaller pieces to speed up cooking time and help it soak up flavour faster.

Tips for storing Tofu

To keep Tofu fresh for longer, make sure it is stored correctly. Here are some helpful storage tips

In de fridge:

Unopened Tofu can be stored until the best-before date on the packaging. Once opened, transfer the Tofu to an airtight container, cover it with fresh water, and change the water daily as this will help prevent it from drying out or spoiling. Consume within a few days.

Freezing:

For longer shelf life, Tofu can be frozen. Cut Tofu into cubes, press out excess moisture, and store it in an airtight bag or container. Frozen Tofu can be kept for up to three months.

Convenience pack:

Vivera’s Tofu comes in two handy portions. Use one now and save the other for later. Less waste, more convenience!

Share your creations!

We’d love to see how you use Vivera Tofu in your meals. Show us your favourite Tofu recipes and tasty creations by tagging us on Instagram.