What To Do With Silken Tofu: From Desserts To Sauces To Soups

Silken tofu isn’t found in many Western kitchens, which is a shame. This fantastic ingredient is like a blank canvas for creating delicious (and healthy!) vegan foods. You can transform silken tofu into creamy desserts, smooth sauces, and even scrambled “eggs” that taste fantastic. It’s extremely easy to work with, and its nondescript flavor means it is easily used in many dishes. From chocolate mousse that melts in your mouth to protein-packed smoothies that fuel your day, this guide will show you how to make amazing dishes.

What Is Silken Tofu?

Silken tofu, also known as soft tofu or Japanese-style tofu, is a delicate and smooth variety of tofu with a high water content. Unlike firmer tofu varieties, silken tofu has a creamy custard-like texture that easily breaks apart.

Silken tofu is made by coagulating soy milk without curdling it and then pressing it into blocks. This process results in a tofu that easily breaks apart and has a melt-in-your-mouth quality. It has a subtle, slightly sweet flavor.

Firm tofu, on the other hand, has a denser, more solid texture with less moisture content. It is made by pressing more water from the soy milk curds which results in a firmer, more compact block. Firm tofu holds its shape well and has a slightly springy texture when pressed. It can be easily sliced, cubed, or crumbled without falling apart.

When it comes to cooking, silken tofu shines in dishes where a smooth, creamy texture is desired. It’s excellent for blending into sauces, dips, and dressings, creating velvety smoothies, or using it as a base for dairy-free desserts like mousses or puddings. It can also be used to replace eggs or cream in some recipes, making it a popular choice for vegan baking. In Asian cuisine, it’s often served cold with toppings or used in hot soups where it can be gently simmered without breaking apart.

Firm tofu is ideal for recipes that require the tofu to maintain its shape and texture during cooking. It’s perfect for stir-fries, grilling, baking, or deep-frying, as it can withstand high heat and vigorous handling without crumbling. Firm tofu is excellent for marinating because it absorbs flavors well while retaining its structure. It can be cubed and added to salads, skewered for kebabs, or crumbled as a meat substitute in dishes like tacos or Bolognese sauce.

Nutritionally, both types of tofu are good sources of plant-based protein, but firm tofu generally contains slightly more protein and less water than silken tofu. Understanding these differences between silken and firm tofu allows you to choose the right type for your culinary creations, ensuring the best texture and results in your cooking endeavors.

You don’t need to press your silken tofu for these recipes – just drain the water from the package, and you’re ready to cook!

Creamy Vegan Sauces

Silken tofu is your secret weapon for creating creamy, protein-rich sauces that taste amazing. Creating sauces with soft tofu is super easy! First, drain the excess water from your tofu package – no pressing needed. Your blender will be your best friend here. For the smoothest sauce, blend your silken tofu until it’s silky smooth and creamy. Add seasonings like nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor and a splash of lemon juice for tang. The tofu will have a slightly chalky aftertaste, but this is easily masked with the right ingredients.

• Vegan Alfredo Sauce by Hidden Veggies
• Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce by Desiree Nielsen
• Silken Tomato Pasta Sauce by Avocado Skillet

Smooth Desserts

Tofu and dessert may sound weird, but it actually allows quite a few desserts to be made vegan. The key is its smooth consistency, blandish taste and binding capabilities. Silken tofu blends especially well with melted chocolate and makes the best mousses and cream pies!

• Chocolate Cherry Mousse Pie by The Lazy Vegan Baker
• Silken Tofu Chocolate Pudding by The Full Helping
• Mint Chocolate Cream Pie by The Lazy Vegan Baker
• Vegan Banana Pudding by Sense and Edibility
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie by The Lazy Vegan Baker
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Waffle Tacos by The Lazy Vegan Baker
• Silken Tofu Panna Cotta by Exceedingly Vegan
• Taho (a traditional Filipino dessert) by Kitchen Confidante

Have you heard of douhua (flower tofu)? It’s a super soft, jiggly dessert that’s popular in Asian cultures. This traditional treat uses soft tofu to create a super smooth pudding. It is served warm or cold with a sweet ginger syrup drizzled on top. Douhua is perfect for hot summer days or when you want something light and refreshing.

Breakfast Dishes

Silken Tofu Scramble

Silken tofu creates the perfect soft-cooked egg-like texture (if you like a denser cooked “egg,” use firm tofu). If you want to mimic the sulfur taste of eggs, get some kala namak, also known as black salt. A little pinch of this is the final touch that makes these dishes eerily egg-like.

• Soft Silken Tofu “Egg” Scramble by My Vegan Minimalist
• Silken Tofu Scramble by Yum Vegan Food
• Turkish Style Vegan Tofu Scramble by Serious Eats

Vegan Quiche

The secret to an amazing vegan quiche is using soft tofu in place of eggs. The pureed tofu functions a lot like eggs and is an easy substitution.

• Easy Vegan Spinach Quiche by Cooking With Elo
• Tofu Onion Quiche with Mushrooms by Healthy French Wife
• Mini Crustless Tofu Quiches by Fat Free Vegan Kitchen
• Vegan Tomato Spinach Quiche by Domestic Gothess

French Toast & Pancakes

This is an exciting way to use silken tofu! The soft tofu works really well as part of pancake batter and even can be the dip for french toast.

• Silken Tofu Pancakes by Plant Based Jess
• Tofu Pancakes by Lazy Cat Kitchen
• Vegan French Toast by Rainbow Plant Life

Protein-Packed Smoothie Recipe

This chocolate dream smoothie has an impressive 22 grams of protein without any protein powder. Here’s how to make it:

1. Add 8 ounces of silken tofu to your blender
2. Pour in 1 cup of your favorite plant milk
3. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
4. Drop in 2 tablespoons of almond butter
5. Splash in some vanilla extract
6. Blend until super smooth
7. Add in ideas: fresh or frozen banana, cherries, blueberries, or strawberries.

Egg Replacer

Did you know that silken tofu has magical powers? It is a phenomenal egg substitute in many recipes because it is high in protein, like eggs, and binds ingredients together. It also tastes rather bland and is an excellent base for deep, rich flavor profiles.

Here’s the golden rule: use 1/4 cup of blended silken tofu to replace one egg in your recipes. This works best in treats that are meant to be a bit dense and super moist, like:

• Fudgy brownies
• Banana bread
• Blueberry muffins
• Chocolate muffins
• Pound cake

Vegan Mayonnaise

The secret to perfect plant-based mayonnaise is Mori-Nu Silken Tofu. It makes the smoothest mayo ever. Just put the tofu in your blender with some apple cider vinegar, a tiny bit of mustard powder, and a pinch of salt. Blend until it’s super smooth, and ta-da! You’ve got some healthy mayo perfect for sandwiches and salads.

• Tofu Vegan Mayonnaise
• Vegan Mayonnaise with Silken Tofu

Your homemade mayo will stay fresh in the fridge for about a week. If it gets a little separated, just give it a quick stir, and it’s good as new!

Creamy Soups

Soft tofu is so easily blended to a smooth consistency, it is a no-brainer for soup recipes. It also adds a ton of protein to the soup which is a nice benefit.

• Cream of Mushroom Soup
• Tomato Basil Soup
• Creamy Kale White Bean Soup
• Creamy Thai Squash Soup

Dips and Spreads

Get your silken tofu ready because we’re about to create some amazing spreads. Like with soups, the ability of soft tofu to turn into a smooth sauce makes it an ideal ingredient in dips and spreads.

• Herbed Tofu Dip
• Super Simple Non-Dairy Veggie Dip
• French Onion Dip
• Green Goddess Dip

Vegan Ranch Dressing

This ranch dressing made with soft tofu is perfect for dipping veggies or drizzling on salads. Here’s how to make it:

1. Blend your silken tofu until super smooth
2. Add apple cider vinegar for tang
3. Mix in fresh herbs like dill and chives
4. Sprinkle in garlic and onion powder
5. Add a splash of lemon juice

Your ranch will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Vegan Cheese Alternatives

Guess what? You can be a cheese maker without using any milk! With some silken tofu and a few simple ingredients, you can create amazing vegan cheeses that taste just like the real thing.

This tofu ricotta is perfect for lasagna and stuffed shells. You can also make a simple and tasty vegan cheese sauce with soft tofu, or spice it up with a vegan queso. If you’re interested in diving into the world of vegan cheese, the Non-Dairy Evolution Cookbook by the Gentle Chef is a must-have!

Desserts

Let’s start with a fancy Italian dessert that’s super fun to make. The silken tofu becomes creamy mascarpone cheese in the coffee-flavored treat, tiramisu. This tofu also makes an incredible cheesecake, like this Strawberry Shortcake cheesecake.

• Silken Tofu Chocolate Ice Cream
• Pumpkin Pie
• Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
• Simple Chocolate Cake
• Pecan Pie
• Snickerdoodle Cookies

Use in Cold Dishes

Hiyayakko (Cold Tofu)

Meet Hiyayakko, a super cool Japanese dish that’s like having a tiny cloud on your plate! Take your soft tofu, gently pat it dry, and place it on a pretty plate. Next, add these yummy toppings:

• Fresh green onions
• Grated ginger
• A splash of soy sauce
• Crunchy sesame seeds

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