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

FAQs

How do you use super firm tofu? ›

Extra firm tofu has the tightest curds and can stand up to hearty cooking methods, such as pan frying and baking. Firm tofu is often used in traditional Asian soups such as hot and sour soup and miso soup.

Crumbled tofu is seasoned and then baked to dry it out just a bit, creating a consistency very similar to ground beef. Use this vegan ground meat alternative anywhere you would enjoy traditional ground beef: in tacos, casseroles, burritos, stir-fries, sloppy joes, and more.

Firm tofu, the most common, has the same consistency as feta, while the texture of super-firm can be compared to that of meat. You should be able to guess the textures in between. Silken tofu, also known as Japanese-style tofu, is silky, creamy and has the highest water content.

Buy Extra Firm: For grilling or baking, just buy extra firm tofu. Extra firm tofu is tofu that has already been pressed so that it's dense and packed together. You can blot it dry or just leave it out to drain on a layer of paper towels before using. Pressing it again isn't necessary at all.

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.

“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.

As with any food, the healthiest options among plant-based meat alternatives are the ones you can eat in as close to their original, whole form as possible. For example, jackfruit flesh or a soy food like tofu undergoes significantly less processing than products like the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger.

Firm/extra-firm: The firmer the tofu is, the less porous it will be, which means less flavor can absorb into it. It also means it has less water content, making this tofu great for stir-frying, pan cooking and grilling.

How to safely eat raw tofu. While tofu comes in a variety of textures — silken, firm, and extra firm — technically any of them can be eaten raw. Before enjoying raw tofu, drain off any excess liquid from the packaging. It's also important to store tofu properly to prevent germs from growing on any unused portions.

For the best texture, press the tofu using a tofu press or cast-iron skillet for 20 to 30 minutes. If you're short on time, just drain the tofu and gently press it in a kitchen towel or paper towels over the sink. The tofu won't be as firm this way, but it will still be delicious!

How long do you press super firm tofu? ›

Wrap the block of tofu in a clean tea towel then put it on a large plate with a lip. Put something heavy such as a frying pan on top, weight it down further with cans and jars, and leave for 30 mins. The tofu will be about two-thirds its original thickness, and up to 100ml water will have been removed.