How to Saute Tofu

Tofu can be fried or sauteed.

Tofu, a vegetarian ingredient made from pressed soy bean curd, is used in many Asian-style dishes. Tofu is high in protein and low in fat, and is popular in health-food recipes. It can be eaten cold or cooked in many different ways, including braising and deep-frying. Another method, the sauté, can add flavor and color to the tofu, and works well in dishes like stir-fry.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Paper towels
• Heavy, flat object
• Marinade (optional)
• Frying pan
• Spatula
• 1 tsp. sesame or vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Cut the tofu. You can cut the tofu into fillet-style slices, rectangular strips or cubes, depending on your final application.

2. Dry the tofu by wrapping the slices in paper towels and placing a heavy, flat object on top of the bundle. Baking trays and cutting boards work well as weights. Let the tofu drain for at least fifteen minutes.

3. Marinate your tofu to infuse it with flavor and color. Use any flavor combination you desire. Epicurious has several tofu marinade recipes, including lime ginger and spicy Asian marinades.

4. Shake off any excess liquid from your tofu and pat it dry with a paper towel.

5. Place your pan on the stovetop and turn the heat up to medium-high. Add 1 tsp. sesame or vegetable oil to the pan.

6. Add the tofu to the pan. Be careful to avoid any splatter.

7. Toss the tofu in the pan to ensure that it doesn't stick or burn.

8. When the tofu takes on color, remove it from the pan and let it rest for several minutes before serving.

Tips & Warnings

• Sautéed tofu can be served by itself or with noodles or rice.

• Serve tofu with accompaniments such as fresh herbs, grated ginger or chopped green onion.

References

• Cooking Cute: Frying Tofu

Resources

• The Gardener's Cottage: How I Saute Tofu
• Epicurious: Ginger Marinade for Tofu
• Epicurious: Spicy Asian Marinade