Knowing how to press tofu is a skill to perfect to successfully cook firm and flavourful tofu dishes. Follow my guide on the right way to press this soft food so you can get to preparing your favorite tofu cuisine.
If you are interested in learning something new about the culinary world of tofu you will find my write up on how to reheat mapo tofu very helpful .
Tofu is made from soy milk that has been pressed into a solid block and cooled. It is also known as soya bean or bean curd. And it is common to find it used in many vegetarian meals because it is rich in protein. Although it is possible to cook and eat tofu that you have not pressed, you won’t be able to savor this healthy food to its full extent.
Why?
Because pressed tofu always tastes better and makes it possible for you to explore the versatility it brings to blend into any dish. This article sheds more light on why you need to press your tofu and how to go about it.
Let’s get started!
Why Press Your Tofu
You need to press your tofu because you need to remove the excess moisture in it. The truth however is that you don’t need to press every type of tofu. For example, you don’t need to press silken tofu and soft tofu because the silken and soft textures are needed for their recipes. That said, these are the benefits of pressing your tofu:
- Getting rid of the moisture makes it easy to alter its texture and add flavorings
- It makes it more firm, thus making it suitable for most recipes.
- It prevents it from falling apart when cooked
- It cooks and tastes better
- It makes your tofu extra crispy
Methods of Pressing Tofu
I’ll let you in on three methods on how to press tofu. Although they vary in effectiveness, you can adopt any of them based on your preferences.
How to Press Tofu Without a Press
This is the old-fashioned way, and it usually takes longer. Also, it doesn’t remove all the water, but it works just well.
- Take out the tofu from its package and drain
- Sandwich the tofu between layers of paper towels
Tip: These absorbent paper towels will serve you well. - Place the sandwiched tofu on a cutting board or any flat surface
- Place another flat-bottom container on the tofu
- Put some weight in the container. You can use canned foods, a heavy bowl of fruit, a bowl of onions, a skillet, etc
- Allow the tofu to press for at least 2 hours. If the tofu has drained well, it will be visibly thinner.
Tip: You can set this up a night before cooking the tofu so that water drains sufficiently
How to Press Tofu With a Sheet Pan and Cooling Rack
This method on how to press tofu is an improvement on the old-fashioned way, and you can get extra firm tofu using this approach.
- Take out the tofu from its package and place it on a closely compacted cooling rack.
- Place the tofu and cooling rack combination on a baking pan. Make sure the tofu doesn’t touch the sheet.
- Place clean and thick kitchen linen on the tofu, and put another baking sheet directly on it
- Place a heavy weight on the top baking pan
- Allow the tofu to press for about an hour
Tip: If the kitchen linen gets saturated, replace it with another dry one - When it has pressed well, pour out the water that has collected in the baking pan below
How to Press Tofu With a Press or a Squeezer
This process is the best way to press tofu because it is easy, faster, and more effective. Using a tofu press or a tofu squeezer doesn’t take more than 15 minutes. When you try this method, you will never want to press your tofu any other way.
- Take out the tofu from its package and put it in the tofu press
- Cover the tofu press and allow the tofu block to press it for 15 minutes
- When the water has been properly drained, remove the tofu and pour out the excess water drained
- Your tofu is ready for whatever you want to cook.
Tip: I recommend using a stainless steel tofu press like Raw Rutes. It is sturdy, easy to use, and clean. You will absolutely love it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I cook with my tofu after pressing it?
There are many ways to enjoy your tofu after pressing it. You can make tofu steak, tofu escalopes, tofu fritters, and spice-crusted tofu served with kumquat, cooked rice and vegetable salad.
What is a tofu press made of?
The most common materials that tofu presses are made of include plastic, stainless steel, or bamboo. However, the stainless steel tofu press is recommended because it is durable and easy to use.
Can I press my tofu before I am ready to use it?
Yes, you can, especially if you want to press it using the old style. You can press the tofu ahead of time and store it for up to five days in the fridge in an airtight container.
How long will it take me to press my tofu?
This depends on the method of how to press tofu that you use. It will take you about 15 minutes if you use a tofu press, while it will take you at least thirty minutes without a press. A tofu press is a good investment to save time if you make tofu regularly.
How can I press my tofu?
There are many methods you can adopt if you want to press your tofu. You can go the old-fashioned way using paper towels, a cooling rack, and a sheet pan. You can also make use of a tofu squeezer. Because of its ease and effectiveness, a tofu press is the best how to press tofu.
Author Bio
Amy Smith
Amy is the founder and editor in chief of FoodLve.com, a resource on the best ways to manage your Prepared Food. She has 9 years of experience working in the Food and Beverage Industry wearing many hats in the kitchen as a sous-chef, station chef, line cook, etc. She worked at top Chicago-based restaurants including Cafe Marie-Jeanne, Girl, and the Goat, and Morton’s SteakHouse. Amy believes that cooking is an art and what we eat and cook is bound to influence how we feel about things around us.
