When is Tofu Done Cooking? (Real Examples w/ Photos)

Wonderinghow to figure out when your tofu is done cooking? I know, if you’re new to cooking with tofu, it can be quite confusing.

In this article you’ll learn…

• Why it doesn’t really matter how long you cook tofu.
• Different textures you can cook it to and what that looks like.
• Tips for nailing the perfect texture.

Let’s get started.

So When Is My Tofu Done Cooking?

Because tofu is already cooked when you get it in the package, you can cook it as long or as short as you want. 

It really all depends on how you would like the texture. I have some other examples of different ways to cook it and how long they take here.

There’s no official way to know when it’s done, other than when it’s the way you like it.

Let me give some examples…

Light and Fluffy Tofu

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If I’m making a tofu scramble (a replacement for scrambled eggs), I’m going to want the final texture of the tofu to be on the light and fluffy side.Therefore, I’ll crumble the tofu and cook it just enough to where it’s fluffy, but not too mushy.The tofu keeps this texture because it’s still got some water content.

Youknow it’s done when it looks just scrambled eggs!

Crispy Tofu

On the other hand, if I’m making a crispy tofu, I’ll cook it until it’s that texture.There are two ways to do this. 

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1. Thefirst wayis to drain and dry the tofu and fry it up in a thick layer of oil.You can cut up the tofu any way you’d like for this.Just make sure it’s cut thick enough so that it doesn’t disintegrate.When the outside iscrispy and golden brown, that’s how youknow when it’s done. Add it to a stir fry or season it however you’d like.
2. Thesecond way to make crispy tofu is to dehydrate it in the oven without oil.All you need to do is cut the tofu into thin slices and season it however you’d like.Then, place it in the oven at a low temperature (around 325).After about 45 minutes to an hour, most of the moisture will evaporate from the tofu.When it’s done, you’ll be left with achewy andslightly crunchy skin, similar to jerky.

Raw-Looking Tofu

Another way to enjoy tofu is by eating it raw, but many people will find the flavor a bit off-putting.

Important Note: Tofu is never actually “raw” because it’s made from cooked soy milk.

The best way to eat tofu raw is to marinade or brine it so it takes on a different flavor.

People also enjoy it in miso soup.

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First, it’s important to press the original water out of the tofu.This will give it room to absorb oils and seasonings.

Then you can add oil, vinegar, and whatever other flavors/seasonings you want the tofu to take on. 

You know it’s donewhen it’s got the flavorthat you’re looking for. This can take a few hours or a few days of marinading. 

Tips For Mastering Tofu Texture

As I’ve mentioned quite a few times, getting the water out of tofu is the best way to give it the best texture and flavor.

Draining the water also helps it crisp up quicker in the oven because there is less water that needs to evaporate.

There are a few different ways to accomplish this.

First, is to use a homemade tofu press as seen in ourguide to pressing and draining tofu. This works if you’re in a pinch, but can be kind of messy and inconvenient.

Pro Tip – Get a Tofu Press!

The best way is to buy a tofu press. I personally use my EZ Tofu Press at least one a week.The ease of setup and cleaning really trump setting up my own home contraption every time I want to make tofu. Before cooking the tofu, remove the excess moisture first using a tofu press. If you’re new to pressing tofu, check out our list for the best tofu press so you can have a guide on which one to buy.

Final Word

As you’ve probably summed up by now, tofu is done whenever you want it to be!

There are so many different techniques to cooking and eating tofu, the possibilities are near endless.

If you want to learn more about tofu — check out the articles below…

Joey Bruno

Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!