The 10 Most Common Tofu Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)
🌱 Tofu can be incredible—but only if you avoid the common pitfalls.
If you’ve ever ended up with mushy, flavourless, or rubbery tofu, you’re not alone. The good news? Every mistake is fixable—and once you know how, tofu becomes one of the most delicious, versatile proteins on your plate.
Let’s dive into the 10 most common tofu mistakes—and exactly how to fix them.
1️⃣ Using the Wrong Type of Tofu
❌ Mistake: Assuming all tofu is the same.
✅ Fix: Match tofu type to your cooking method:
Silken Tofu: Best for smoothies, creamy sauces, desserts, and delicate soups.
Soft Tofu: Ideal for miso soup or gentle steaming—never for frying!
Firm Tofu: Great for stir-fries, scrambles, and light pan-frying.
Extra-Firm Tofu: Perfect for grilling, deep-frying, air-frying, or baking.
📌 Pro Tip: Unsure? Start with extra-firm tofu—it’s the easiest to handle.
2️⃣ Not Pressing Tofu Properly
❌ Mistake: Skipping pressing, leading to soggy tofu.
✅ Fix: Press tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove water and improve texture and flavour absorption.
Use a tofu press or sandwich it between clean towels and a heavy object.
Silken and soft tofu should never be pressed—they'll collapse.
📌 Pro Tip: Freeze tofu before pressing to create a chewier, ultra-absorbent texture.
3️⃣ Marinating Too Little (or Wrongly)
❌ Mistake: Expecting tofu to absorb flavour instantly.
✅ Fix: Marinate tofu for at least 30 minutes, but overnight is even better.
Key tips:
Cut into smaller pieces to maximise surface area.
Pressed and frozen-thawed tofu absorbs marinades faster.
Use bold, salty, umami-packed marinades—think soy sauce, miso, garlic, ginger.
📌 Pro Tip: Add a little cornstarch to your marinade for a crispy crust when cooking!
4️⃣ Using Too Little Seasoning
❌ Mistake: Leaving tofu bland.
✅ Fix: Tofu is a sponge for flavour—season it generously!
Use salt, spices, and deep umami boosters like soy sauce, nutritional yeast, dried mushrooms, fermented black beans, or tomato paste.
Starting Flavour Balance:
2 parts umami (soy sauce, miso, mushrooms)
1 part sweet (maple syrup, mirin)
1 part acid (vinegar, lemon juice)
📌 Pro Tip: Add fresh aromatics like garlic, shallots, or ginger for instant depth.
5️⃣ Overcrowding the Pan
❌ Mistake: Adding too much tofu at once, causing it to steam.
✅ Fix: Give tofu room to breathe!
Spread it in a single layer.
Use a hot, oiled pan.
Flip only when golden crust forms—patience is key!
📌 Pro Tip: Cast iron or non-stick pans work best for crispy tofu.
6️⃣ Using the Wrong Cooking Method
❌ Mistake: Choosing the wrong technique for your goal.
✅ Fix: Pick the right method for the texture you want:
Crispy: Pan-fry, deep-fry, bake, or air-fry.
Chewy: Freeze and thaw first, then cook.
Tender: Steam or braise gently in sauce.
📌 Pro Tip: Lightly dust tofu with cornstarch before frying for irresistible crunch!
7️⃣ Cooking Wet Tofu
❌ Mistake: Throwing tofu into the pan while wet.
✅ Fix: Always pat tofu dry before cooking!
Use a clean towel or paper towel.
Especially critical for stir-frying, baking, and frying.
📌 Pro Tip: For the best stir-fries, pan-fry tofu separately first, then toss with veggies and sauce.
8️⃣ Adding Tofu Too Late
❌ Mistake: Tossing tofu in at the last minute.
✅ Fix: Let tofu simmer in sauces to soak up flavour.
Stir-fries: Cook tofu first, set it aside, and return it at the end.
Curries & Braises: Add tofu earlier to let it absorb rich flavours.
📌 Pro Tip: For delicate silken tofu, add it carefully at the end and let it gently warm through.
9️⃣ Expecting Tofu to Taste Like Meat
❌ Mistake: Thinking tofu should mimic chicken or beef.
✅ Fix: Tofu isn’t fake meat—it’s its own thing!
Celebrate tofu’s unique textures and flavours by seasoning boldly and layering sauces.
📌 Pro Tip: Try smoked tofu if you want something meatier and savoury!
🔟 Giving Up After One Try
❌ Mistake: Trying tofu once and writing it off.
✅ Fix: Experiment!
If you didn’t like soft tofu, try crispy extra-firm.
If plain tofu bores you, marinate and glaze it!
📌 Pro Tip: Mastering tofu is like mastering pasta or bread—practice transforms it from “okay” to amazing.
🔥 Final Takeaway: Tofu is a Skill—and You’ve Got This
✅ Press it.
✅ Season it boldly.
✅ Cook it thoughtfully.
With a few small changes, you can turn tofu from disappointing to absolutely crave-worthy.
Your next tofu dish could be your best ever. 🌱💪