15 Silken Tofu Recipes (2024)

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This collection of Silken Tofu Recipes includes everything from chocolate mousse pie to cream cheese. There are so many delicious recipes that can be created with this versatile vegan food. The options are endless!

Oftentimes, people have told me that they want to like tofu, but they just don’t know what to do with it. Many folks don’t realize that there are different types of tofu that can be used in a variety of dishes. This article, Easy Vegan Tofu Recipes, explains the differences and which recipes work best with each variety.

Contrary to popular belief, tofu is not scary. As a matter of fact, it’s pretty easy to learn How to Cook With Tofu, and it can be made into just about anything. Let me show you what I mean.

What is silken tofu?

There are two main types of tofu–silken and regular. Silken tofu is often called soft tofu or Japanese-style tofu. It has a more delicate texture andwill fall apart if not handled carefully.

This type of tofu is sometimes packaged in aseptic, or shelf-stable, boxes that do not require refrigeration. It is excellent to keep on hand since there is no requirement to use it quickly. It is also packed in very little water and doesn’t need to be drained or pressed for many recipes, unlike regular tofu.

Silken tofu can also be found in the refrigerator section of many grocery stores beside regular firm Chinese-style tofu. Just be sure to read the packages of the cold tofu well and make sure to choose the soft variety for the following recipes.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (3)

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. They are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently and with different amounts of water.

Firm and extra-firm tofu do well in stir-fries and baked tofu, while silken tofu is much softer and is best used in recipes for sauces and creamy desserts.

Is tofu healthy?

Tofu is very healthy and contains protein, iron, fiber, and a host of other antioxidants and phytonutrients. Only 4 ounces of tofu contains as much calcium as one cup of milk. It is relatively low in fat and contains no cholesterol or dairy.

Asian countries that consume the most tofu and soy products traditionally have the lowest rates of cancer and heart disease. Soy has been found to have many nutritional benefits, so we include it as often as possible.

What can you make with silken tofu?

There are so many dishes that can be made with silken tofu. Everything from desserts to sauces and dressings. It has such a soft texture that it lends itself well to creamy recipes.

Desserts

One of my favorite ways to use silken tofu is in desserts. In the list below you’ll find recipes for a few of my favorites. When I take these desserts to social functions, no one ever knows they are made with tofu.

  • Tofu Chocolate Pie
  • Carrot Cake with Frosting
  • Vegan Lime Cake
  • Chocolate Mousse
  • Fruit Lime Sauce

Dips & salad dressings

Creamy vegan dips are always a great option for using tofu. The tofu provides a lighter, lower-fat option as opposed to traditional dips made with oil and fat.

  • French Onion Dip
  • Spinach Dip
  • Chipotle Dressing
  • Ranch Dressing

Condiments

Amazingly, silken tofu can be made into various vegan condiments as well. Check out these delicious options that add so much flavor to other recipes and dishes.

  • Vegan Mayo
  • Sour Cream
  • Cashew Cream Cheese
  • Tzatziki Cucumber Sauce

Sides & main dishes

While this category has fewer options, it contains some delicious recipes that incorporate silken tofu into more hearty dishes as an ingredient.

  • Mushroom Stroganoff
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Cream Coleslaw

Be sure to check out mySimple Silken Tofu Recipes pagefor more great ideas!

For those of you new to the whole food plant-based lifestyle, we’ve created a FREE 7-Day Plant-Based Menu Planner to help you get started!

Can I eat silken tofu?

Silken tofu is safe and can be eaten right out of the container, just be sure to drain the water from it first. It has a very bland taste on its own, so it is better when incorporated into recipes like the ones below.

Can silken tofu be cooked?

Since silken tofu doesn’t have to be cooked, it can be served cold, at room temperature, or heated. Season it with a little soy sauce and eat it right out of the container, or drop it into soups like this 20-Minute Miso Soup.

Cooking it in dishes like Tofu Breakfast Scramble and Broccoli Tofu Stir Fry is also a deliciously healthy option.

*Originally published December 13, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links.Read my full disclosure here.

Simple Silken Tofu Recipes

Let us inspire you with a few of our favorite silken tofu recipes that are so delicious your family won't even realize they are eating it! Click on each of the photos, recipe titles, or 'Get the Recipe' buttons to see full recipes with ingredients, measurements, instructions, and a print button.

Ridiculously easy to make, this Vegan Cream Cheese is fabulous smeared on bagels, muffins, crackers, or celery sticks. Deliciously simple for breakfast and snacks!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (8)

Tzatziki Cucumber Sauce

This healthier, lower-fat version of tzatziki sauce is super simple to make and delicious on everything from salads and grilled veggies to its traditional use as a dip for falafels and other Greek foods.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (9)

Total Time 15 minutes Yield 8 servings

Chocolate Vegan No-Bake Pie

This vegan chocolate pie recipe can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 5 ingredients that you're likely to already have on-hand. And it's so unbelievably creamy and sweet!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (10)

Total Time 5 minutes Yield 32 Tbsp

Low-Fat Vegan Mayonnaise

I am from the Carolina's where potato salad, cole slaw, and tomato sandwiches are necessary meal staples. This was a real issue for me after switching to a plant-based lifestyle, because you know what all these foods require right? Mayonnaise!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (11)

Total Time 15 minutes Yield 4 servings

Chocolate Mousse

This vegan chocolate mousse can be made in less than 15 minutes flat, with only 4 ingredients that you're likely to already have on-hand. And it's so unbelievably creamy and sweet!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (12)

Total Time 50 minutes Yield 8 servings

Glazed Vegan Carrot Cake

Incredibly moist and packed with grated carrots, this secretly healthier version of Vegan Carrot Cake guarantees you will never miss the extra calories.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (13)

Total Time 15 minutes Yield 5 servings

Chipotle Sauce Vegan

This smoky, savory, and creamy vegan chipotle sauce is the perfect match for bean burgers, veggie hoagies, baked fries, and SO MUCH MORE!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (14)

Total Time 20 minutes Yield 10 servings

Lime Fruit Sauce

This lime fruit sauce is bursting with flavor and perfectly delicious on fresh fruit, salads, and anything else you can think of.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (15)

Total Time 15 minutes Yield 8

Vegan Ranch Dressing

Easy vegan ranch dressing recipe. Creamy and cool, this is an excellent salad dressing or dip for piles of veggies!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (16)

Total Time 5 minutes Yield 8 servings

5-Minute Vegan Sour Cream

I was skeptical about dairy-free sour cream because I had always loved the dairy-version, but this tofu vegan sour cream recipe is surprisingly delicious! Creamy and tangy wonderfulness!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (17)

Total Time 30 minutes Yield 8 servings

Vegan French Onion Dip

You know how you thought French onion dip was out of your life forever? Well, think again! This version is not only vegan, but also low-fat. Caramelized onions are what gives this dip the sweetest flavor.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (18)

Total Time 40 minutes Yield 4 servings

Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff

This creamyvegan stroganoff has a savorymushroomflavor that will remind you of the rich and scrumptious stroganoff recipes you grew up with. Now satisfy your pasta cravings without the guilt!

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (19)

Creamy Vegan Broccoli Salad

This Vegan Broccoli Salad is so creamy and light that even broccoli haters will like it. Broccoli slaw salad lovers will never realize it has a fraction of the fat and calories of the traditional recipe they are used to.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (20)

Healthy Vegan Coleslaw

This Vegan Coleslaw makes a perfect side dish option for cookouts and potlucks and can be ready in less than 15-minutes. The healthy oil-free dressing is what really sets this recipe apart.

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (21)

Total Time 20 minutes Yield 2 cups

Vegan Spinach Dip

This vegan spinach dip recipe can be made in minutes and used as a dip with fresh vegetables or served on crusty bread or crackers.

About Terri Edwards

Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…

15 Silken Tofu Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What can I use silken tofu for? ›

Once you've got your silken tofu, here are five ways to put it to use.
  • Make it into a creamy sauce. ...
  • Fry it. ...
  • Slip into soup. ...
  • Top it with something punchy. ...
  • Make it into dessert.
Feb 10, 2021

How much silken tofu for 3 eggs? ›

Silken tofu often results in a denser and moister baked good, so it works in many of the same recipes as bananas, but without adding any flavor. It also adds a bit of protein, which is a nice bonus. Substitute ¼ cup of silken tofu per egg.

Does silken tofu need to be refrigerated? ›

If you purchased the silken tofu in the refrigerated section, refrigerate and use by the date stamped on the package. If you purchased a shelf stable silken tofu that does not require refrigeration, store it in a cool, dry place like your pantry and use by the date indicated.

Is silken tofu healthier than regular tofu? ›

For relatively similar serving sizes, the nutrition differences between silken and firm tofu are pretty big. Silken tofu contains only about half the calories and fat, while firm tofu contains over twice the protein. The reason for this is water content.

Do you need to cook silken tofu before eating? ›

You can eat raw tofu without cooking directly from the pack, but make sure that you drain off the excess water first because it does not add anything to the experience. Tofu is also called bean curd. It is a white, creamy, soft, relatively flavorless food product made from soybeans.

Can you eat silken tofu straight? ›

You can eat raw tofu straight from the pack if you like, but you'll probably want to drain off some of the excess water first, as it can be messy, and it doesn't really add anything to the experience. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw.

Can silken tofu replace eggs in baking? ›

Use ¼ cup of silken tofu for 1 egg, but be sure to purée the tofu in a food processor or blender so that you don't end up with gross chunks. Silken tofu works great in dense desserts like brownies, custard-like pies, or raw cheesecakes.

Should you fry silken tofu? ›

Frying silken tofu adds a golden crispy exterior while maintaining its soft and silky interior. This cooking method enhances the tofu's flavor and gives it a delightful texture. It also allows you to create a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to tofu nuggets or even crispy tofu sandwiches.

Do you need to rinse silken tofu? ›

After removing the tofu from its package, rinse it and then remove the water. For soft tofu, just drain it and blot it dry; but for medium, firm and extra-firm tofu, simple draining isn't enough—you need to press the water out.

Can silken tofu go bad? ›

Bottom Line: Even though tofu is a plant-based food, it can still spoil and should be handled with care. If you're not sure if your tofu has spoiled, as the old adage goes, “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Can you freeze silken tofu? ›

Freezing tofu is easy and you can freeze any variety — it doesn't matter if it's silken, firm, or extra-firm. All you have to do is cut the tofu into cubes the size of your choosing, freeze them solid on a baking sheet, and store them in a freezer container until you're ready to defrost and cook.

Is there a downside to eating tofu? ›

Incorporating tofu into your daily meals and snacks can bring several health benefits. Those benefits include brain health promotion, ease of menopause symptoms, and heart disease prevention. However, eating tofu has some risks, as it might lead to digestive issues or interact with certain medications like MAOIs.

Is silken tofu anti inflammatory? ›

Tofu contains several anti-inflammatory, antioxidant phyto-chemicals making it a great addition to an anti-inflammatory diet. What is this? Tofu is also a good source of 'complete' plant protein, meaning that it has a well-balanced amino acid profile. It's also one of the most well-known plant-based sources of iron.

What is special about silken tofu? ›

Silken tofu is the next most common tofu style. It's made in a similar process to block tofu, except that the soy milk is coagulated without curdling the milk. It's also left unpressed, so every cake retains all of its moisture while cooling.

Does silken tofu taste different? ›

Finally, there's a taste and texture difference. Silken tofu has a pudding-like quality. It's very light in texture with a wonderful, creamy mouthfeel and fatty flavor that comes from making it with denser, richer soy milk. It's like the difference between using low-fat milk and cream.

Can I freeze silken tofu? ›

Freezing tofu is easy and you can freeze any variety — it doesn't matter if it's silken, firm, or extra-firm. All you have to do is cut the tofu into cubes the size of your choosing, freeze them solid on a baking sheet, and store them in a freezer container until you're ready to defrost and cook.

Can you use silken tofu instead of cream? ›

Combine equal parts silken tofu and soy milk and blend thoroughly in an immersion blender or food processor until the mixture reaches a smooth, thick consistency. Then use it in place of an equal amount of heavy cream to thicken your favorite recipes, such as soups or sauces.

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