How do you make super firm tofu?

Instructions. Step 1: Press extra firm tofu for at least 30 minutes and cut into cubes. Add a small amount of oil to a non-stick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add tofu to pan and brown on each side for about 1-2 minutes for a total of about 15 minutes.

How do you use tofu instead of meat?

Press the block of extra-firm tofu to remove excess liquid. Use your hands to break the tofu into crumbles, resembling the size of ground meat. Sauté or bake the crumbles in oil to get them crispy before using. Alternatively, use uncooked crumbles for making burgers.

What can I add to tofu to make it taste better?

Then season with turmeric, black pepper, garlic powder, black salt (for an “eggy” flavor, or use sea salt or Tamari instead), and add in your favorite cooked veggies . Add a little salad dressing, dijon, lemon juice, or whatever you'd typically make a marinade or sauce with.

How do you make tofu more flavorful?

Here are a few ideas: Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. ... Press it: Firm tofu can be quite bland if eaten straight out of the package. ... Fry it: Fried tofu can be crispy and delicious. ... Add it to stir-fry: Tofu can be added to stir-fries for extra protein and texture. More items... Apr 6, 2023

Is tofu really healthier than meat?

Nutritionally, tofu offers much to love. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories and 11 grams of fat. Most of that fat is of the healthy polyunsaturated kind. The high level of protein makes tofu a good alternative to animal-derived meat.

Is tofu the same as plant based meat?

“First-generation” plant-based meat alternatives include tofu and tempeh — protein-rich foods already popular in Asian cuisines that bear little resemblance to meat. “Second-generation” plant-based meats, however — like Beyond and Impossible — are designed to look, cook and taste exactly like meat.

Is tofu healthier than fake meat?

yes, tofu is a healthy and popular meat alternative in vegetarian dishes . Tofu, also known as bean curd, is made from soybeans and is a good source of protein, iron, and calcium. It is also low in calories and fat, making it a healthy addition to any vegetarian diet.

What is the difference between firm and super-firm tofu?

Regular tofu is pressed and has a somewhat spongy texture, and comes in several varieties distinguished by how much water is pressed out. Soft tofu has the least amount of water pressed out, while super-firm has a low moisture content and a dense texture.

What are the ingredients in super-firm tofu?

WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, LESS THAN 2% OF CALCIUM SULFATE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE . CONTAINS: SOY.

Is super-firm tofu the same as extra firm?

Like super-firm tofu, extra firm tofu has been pressed of most of its water. However, extra-firm tofu is not as firm as super-firm tofu . However, if you're looking for a block of tofu that's BOTH firm and can absorb flavors and marinades: extra firm tofu is the winner here.

Do you have to cook super-firm tofu?

Tofu can be eaten raw, and so cooking it is completely optional and is mostly done for texture or to bind the sauce to the tofu. You can pan-sear the sides and add it to a colorful stir-fry or deep-fry it and coat it in a savory and sweet sauce.

Homestyle Tofu Sloppy Joes Recipe - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (2024)

Homestyle Tofu Sloppy Joes Recipe - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (1)

I’ve been on a tofu kick recently, trying to learn new ways to cook it, yet making sure it has lots of flavor. Tofu doesn’t really have a flavor so you have to make sure to season it well & cook it in ways to give it flavor. This make tofu very versatile and it can be used in a variety of dishes that typically might call for meat.

Our favorite family tofu recipe is this Tofu Fingers Marinara!

Sloppy Joes used to be a staple in our house

Before going plant-based, our family used to love having sloppy joe’s a couple times a month. I would use beef or turkey and whatever canned sloppy joe mix I could find at the store. Not healthy at all and loaded with high fructose corn syrup.

I knew that I had to make sure this had lots of flavor and really resembled the savoriness of the original. My true test is my kids. While I like pretty much everything I make, my kids are very picky. Which is good, because it makes me try harder!

Both my kids & husband gave it rave reviews! Phew! It passed the taste test!

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Tofu Crumble Baking Technique

This recipe calls for crumbling the tofu in a spice marinade and then baking it for about 45 minutes. This gives the tofu so much extra flavor! I learned this technique from Sam Turnbull from It doesn’t take like Chicken. Her vegan blog has lots of great recipes, but I usually have to make adaptations to remove oil, sugar, salt, or processed ingredients. I adapted this recipe from her Tofu Bolognese & Tofu Taco Crumbles recipe and added my own spices.

Homestyle Tofu Sloppy Joes Recipe - Simply Plant Based Kitchen (3)

I think the secret ingredient to giving it so much flavor is the baking technique & the vegan Worcestershire sauce – there are vegan brands available like this one here.

Smoked paprika is also better than regular paprika. It smells great!

Tofu is so easy to cook with

Working with tofu is really easy, so don’t be afraid if you haven’t! This recipe calls for extra firm tofu and I really recommend that instead of just firm tofu so it holds together more for a ground meat like texture. In the Tofu Scramble recipe I talk about freezing the tofu & then thawing to create a more meaty texture. This is not really necessary in this recipe because we are baking the tofu first, which helps it hold together and gives it a meaty texture.

Ingredients

For the tofu crumbles

1 14 ounce block extra firm tofu drained
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash smoked paprika

For the sloppy joe sauce

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped white or yellow onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1-2 tablespoons vegetable broth low-sodium
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce low-sodium
1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
6 whole grain buns

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the tofu crumbles – in a medium bowl mix the vegan Worcestershire sauce, water, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, & smoked paprika. Then crumble the tofu into the bowl and mix with your hands to coat well.
Spread the tofu crumbles on the baking sheet in one layer. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through, until lightly browned.
Towards the last 5-10 minutes that the tofu are cooking, heat a large sauce pan over medium heat. Saute the onions, bell peppers, & garlic with 1-2 tablespoons of broth or water for 3-4 minutes or until translucent. Add more broth or water as needed. Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cumin and mix until combined.
Add the baked tofu crumbles and stir, bring to a boil and then lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or tofu/sauce is thick.
Spoon onto whole grain buns!

Nutrition

If you make this recipe, please comment below & let me know how it turned out!