Your Tofu Sucks Because You Don't Press It. This Is How To Get It Done.

This is a vegetarian game changer.
|

For those new to tofu, this white brick of soybean can be persnickety to work with -- to say the least. In untrained hands, tofu is hellbent on crumbling when you want it to sear and resists any flavoring whatsoever. The amateur tofu chef is often times left with a sad, white heap of blandness that nobody wants to eat. Ever.

Here's the problem: you haven't pressed your tofu.

One of the first steps you need to take before embarking on a tofu recipe is taking 15-30 minutes to squeeze some of the excess water out of the brick of tofu. This is easy to do and it is a game changer. Not only does pressing tofu mean a firmer end product, but it also means that the tofu will hold its shape better. Pressing also results in better tasting tofu because expelling the flavorless water allows the flavors of the marinade to soak in better.

Watch the quick video by Whole Foods above to see how it's done. And eat better tofu.

Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Tumblr.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Healthy Tofu Recipes
Crispy Tofu And Mushroom Medley(01 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Crispy Tofu And Mushroom Medley recipe by Snixy Kitchen (credit:Snixy Kitchen)
Light Macaroni And Cheese(02 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Light Macaroni and Cheese recipe by Matchbox Kitchen (credit:Matchbox Kitchen)
Pumpkin Potato Soup With Tofu(03 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Pumpkin Potato Soup with Tofu recipe by Pickles N Honey (credit:Pickles N Honey)
Tofu, Edamame & Soju(04 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu, Edamame & Soju recipe by Alexandra's Kitchen (credit:Alexandra's Kitchen)
Tofu And Brussels Salad(05 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu and Brussels Salad recipe by That's So Vegan (credit:That's So Vegan)
Watercress-And-Tofu Dumplings(06 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Watercress-and-Tofu Dumplings recipe (credit:Frances Janisch/Food&Wine)
Chili, Lemon And Herb Roasted Tofu(07 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Chili, Lemon And Herb Roasted Tofu recipe by The First Mess (credit:The First Mess)
Chilled Tofu With Scallions And Soy Sauce(08 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Chilled Tofu with Scallions and Soy Sauce recipe by Fifteen Spatulas (credit:Fifteen Spatulas)
Spiced Chickpea Crepes With Soybean Paneer(09 of30)
Open Image Modal
Avo-Pesto Cucumber Salad With BBQ Tofu Cutlets(10 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Avo-Pesto Cucumber Salad with BBQ Tofu Cutlets recipe by Keepin' It Kind (credit:Keepin' It Kind)
Tofu And Butternut Squash Curry(11 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu and Butternut Squash Curry recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Seared Tofu With Baby Asian Green Salad(12 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Seared Tofu with Baby Asian Green Salad recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Caribbean Peach Slaw Salad With Crispy Tofu (13 of30)
Open Image Modal
Tofu, Veggie And Sesame Fried Rice(14 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu, Veggie and Sesame Fried Rice recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Roasted Vegetable, Tofu And Pesto Panini(15 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Roasted Vegetable, Tofu and Pesto Panini recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Crunchy Tofu Tacos(16 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Crunchy Tofu Tacos recipe (credit:Con Poulos)
Sweet And Spicy Grilled Tofu(17 of30)
Open Image Modal
Tofu-Salad Sandwiches(18 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu-Salad Sandwiches recipe (credit:Stephanie Foley/Food&Wine)
Silken Tofu And Edamame Soup (19 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Silken Tofu and Edamame Soup recipe (credit:Maren Caruso)
Grilled Tofu Steaks With Piquillo Salsa Verde(20 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Grilled Tofu Steaks with Piquillo Salsa Verde recipe (credit:Stephanie Foley/Food&Wine)
Caesar Salad With Crispy Tofu Croutons(21 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Caesar Salad with Crispy Tofu Croutons recipe (credit:Stephanie Foley/Food&Wine)
Coconut Curry Soup With Tea-Smoked Tofu And Rice Noodles (22 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Coconut Curry Soup with Tea-Smoked Tofu and Rice Noodles recipe by Vegan Menu (credit:Vegan Menu)
Tofu Casserole(23 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tofu Casserole recipe (credit:Tina Rupp/Food&Wine)
Chinese Salt And Pepper Tofu Restaurant Style(24 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Chinese Salt and Pepper Tofu Restaurant Style recipe from Veggie Belly (credit:Veggie Belly)
Indian Split Pea Soup With Tofu And Cilantro(25 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Indian Split Pea Soup with Tofu and Cilantro recipe (credit:New Media Publishing)
Marmalade Tofu With Kale And Lemon Pearl Couscous (26 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Marmalade Tofu with Kale and Lemon Pearl Couscous recipe by Vegan Yum Yum (credit:Vegan Yum Yum)
Miso Glazed Tofu(27 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Miso Glazed Tofu recipe by Namely Marley (credit:Namely Marley)
Curried Tofu-And-Avocado Dip With Rosemary Pita Chips(28 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Curried Tofu-and-Avocado Dip with Rosemary Pita Chips recipe (credit:Hallie Burton/Food&Wine)
Miso-Glazed Tofu With Pan-Seared Shiitakes and Asparagus(29 of30)
Open Image Modal
Tea-Smoked Tofu With Pepper And Pork (30 of30)
Open Image Modal
Get the Tea-Smoked Tofu with Pepper and Pork recipe (credit:Maren Caruso)

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE