How to Cook Tofu Steak

Tofu is made from soybean curd and resembles a block of cheese in its finished form. Tofu is rich in nutrients, particularly the B vitamins, and is easy to digest. Tofu, on its own, has very little taste, yet easily absorbs and takes on the flavors that it is cooked with. Tofu can be purchased in various forms of soft and firm. Tofu steaks are made by slicing the firm tofu blocks into appropriate sized slices and then marinating the slices in various liquids and spices.

Things You'll Need

• Firm or extra firm tofu Marinade of your choice Shallow pan or zip-type storage bag Vegetable oil Nonstick skillet or barbecue grill Spatula

Instructions

1. Slice the block of tofu into steaks by cutting each steak approximately 1/2 inch thick.

2. Create the marinade of your choice in a shallow pan or zip-close storage bag. Many marinades contain soy sauce, but this is not a necessity. You can use any liquid marinade that you choose.

3. Place the tofu steaks in the marinade and allow the steaks to absorb the marinade flavor for at least 4 hours or overnight.

4. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels.

5. Put a tablespoon of vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet and heat the skillet to very hot. This step can be omitted if you plan on cooking the steaks on a barbecue grill.

6. Place the steaks in the skillet or on the grill and cook for 2 minutes on each side or until the tofu is golden brown. Use a spatula to turn the steaks; tongs could cause them to break apart.

Tips & Warnings

• For a more meat-like texture to your tofu steak, freeze the slices for 48 hours before marinating them. Some brands of tofu have a shelf life of up to 2 years and require no refrigeration until the package is opened. Fresh tofu should be refrigerated and used within a few days of purchase.

References

• The Book of Tofu, by William Shurtleff and Akido Aoyagi, Ballantine Books, 1975
• Mori-Nu Website Tofu Tips

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish