Tofu, oh tofu! if you are going vegan or even if you are trying more plant based food, you are for sure going to try tofu at some point!
What does tofu taste like?
Tofu’s taste is very subtle, so this makes it very versatile for sweet and savory recipes.
It is definitely not made to be eaten out of the box! I personally like it and some times eat it almost “naked” but I do get why many people try it and think: “this is not nice”. The good news is that given its texture and the subtle flavor, you can pretty much make it taste however you want it to taste.
Does tofu taste like paneer? Nope! not in my opinion, but maybe marinated with lemon juice and white vinegar can give it a similar taste.
Does tofu taste like cheese? Mhh this is a bit hard, because firm tofu has a “slight feeling” of queso fresco. You can try to use miso paste and sake to make it cultured and give it a bit of a “cheese” feel, but it will definitely not taste like cheese. Check this recipe and let me know what you think!
What does tofu smell like?
Plain tofu has a very subtle smell. Other flavored tofu or smoked tofus will absorb the flavor changes, but normal tofu smells, almost like nothing! I do kind of smell the soy, but again, it is very, very subtle!
Now, if you are wondering… what does tofu smell like when it goes bad? it do gets a bad smell, like a subtle sour smell! and also, it will turn light yellow. Make sure you check the expiry date of your tofu so this doesn’t happens to you!
Does tofu taste like chicken?
Well… you can make it taste similar by following this recipe (yes, I tried it and it is really nice!) But on its own, it will not taste like chicken!
Do all “tofus” taste the same?
There are many varieties of tofu! The most common, and the one you find in most supermarkets is firm tofu which has some texture to it, and the flavor is very bland. Extra firm tofu is also similar to firm tofu, just ehh… firmer :). There are some variations like silken tofu which has a much more fine texture that makes it ideal for desserts or dishes like tofu sour cream.
There are other seasoned tofus like black forest tofu that tastes salty and herby. I personally prefer to buy normal “tofus” and give it flavor myself :).
Types of tofu
- Silken. Also known as Japanese style. Ideal for desserts or sour cream. It has a very fine texture
- Regular. The “kind of tofu” you find in most supermarkets. It has a bit of a “rough” texture. I would include here the firm, extra-firm and super-firm which also have some texture to it, and as you can imagine, they are “firmer” as you go one level up :). Firm tofu is ideal for tofu scramble, in my opinion! firmer tofus are good with other seasonings and do not absorb as much flavor as firm tofu does
- Seasoned tofu. Supermarkets are selling tofus with some “taste” because many people really want to eat it out of the box. If you raised your hand, then give this one a try 🙂
- Smoked tofu. Same intentions as the one above! smoked tofu is a bit saltier and it tastes like… well, smoked! it has much more flavor so it can also be eaten out of the box
- Other variations. Nowadays, and in order to suit everyone, there are diverse versions of tofu, for example, tofu sticks, tofu puffs, fermented tofu, etc. they are not very easy to find, but maybe if you have an Asian store near you, you might be able to try them
Tofu nutrition
Tofu is a very nutritious food. It is a plant based source of protein, low in fat and high in polyunsaturated fats and it also helps you to get your daily dosis of minerals! in fact, 100g of tofu has about 9% of your recommended intake of iron and 6% of zinc. For more information about its nutrition, check this article from Healthline.
Recipes with tofu
Are you wondering how to cook tofu? Check this list of recipes and give them a try! they are some of my favorite ways to use tofu!
Tofu sour cream
Find the recipe here!
Tofu salad with chipotle
Find the recipe here!
Mexican tofu scramble (huevos revueltos a la Mexicana)
Find the recipe here!
Tofu chik’n nuggets
Look at how great this tofu chik’n nuggets are!
Tofu with ground almond chipotle sauce
Find the recipe here!
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