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    Home » Recipes

    Apr 21, 2022 by Katie

    The Best 35 Silken Tofu Recipes (Savory & Sweet)

    Silken tofu is one of the most versatile ingredients and tastes great in a big variety of savory recipes such as soups, pasta sauces and dips. But did you know that you can also make the most indulgent desserts using silken tofu? Believe me when I say it's an ingredient that's definitely worth exploring!

    grid with 4 different silken tofu images: silken tofu chocolate mousse, silken tofu block topped with green onions, salad and vegan cheesecake
    Jump to:
    • What is Tofu?
    • What is Silken Tofu?
    • Silken Tofu vs. Firm Tofu
    • Nutritional Values
    • How to Use Silken Tofu?
    • FAQs
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers, Soups & Side Dishes
    • Main Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Dips & Sauces

    Silken tofu has become a staple in vegan cooking which is why most of the recipes below are vegan silken tofu recipes. Because of its distinct texture, this type of tofu is often used in cheesecakes, creamy mousse recipes or pasta sauces.

    What is Tofu?

    Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk and pressing the curds into solid white blocks. The process is similar to cheese-making.

    In the US, tofu is often made from GMO (genetically modified) soybeans. If you're trying to avoid GMO foods then choose organic tofu instead!

    Since it's made from soy milk, tofu is naturally dairy-free, nut-free and high in protein.

    What is Silken Tofu?

    Silken tofu is a specific type of tofu. It's very soft and delicate and can be used in a variety of recipes. The main difference between silken tofu and firm tofu is their texture.

    Silken Tofu vs. Firm Tofu

    There are different types of tofu and they are distinguished according to their texture: silken, regular, firm and extra-firm.

    • Silken Tofu: has a silky, creamy texture because of its high water content. It's very wobbly- a block of silken tofu will fall apart once it's out of the package. Silken tofu is also known as Japanese-style tofu and because of its texture, it's great in recipes such as soups, smoothies, creamy desserts or dips and sauces.
    • Regular Tofu: It's a little firmer than silken tofu but still quite soft. It soaks up the flavors of sauces really well which is why it's a common ingredient in Asian dishes.
    • Firm Tofu: is the one that's mostly available in grocery stores. It has a lower water content and is usually used in pan-fried tofu recipes.
    • Extra-Firm Tofu: Holds even less water than firm tofu. It's also often used for stir-fries or deep-fried recipes but doesn't absorb the flavor of marinades as well.

    Nutritional Values

    Tofu is very nutrient dense. Compared to its calories, it has a lot to offer!

    First of all, it's a complete protein which means that it contains all the essential amino acids. Tofu is also high vitamins and minerals in calcium, manganese, copper and selenium and Vitamin A.

    Additionally, it's high in fiber which is linked to a healthy gut. You can read more about the benefits of tofu here.

    How to Use Silken Tofu?

    Because of its specific soft and silky texture, silken tofu is very versatile and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes. It's very delicate though and not suited for frying, grilling or any other recipes that would the tofu require to hold its shape.

    It's also a protein-rich ingredient and often used in vegan or vegetarian recipes as a meat substitute.

    It also tastes great in soups, pasta dishes, pies or dips and sauces. My favorite way of using silken tofu though is in desserts!

    FAQs

    Is silken tofu the same as regular tofu?

    No, the tofu mostly available in grocery stores is firm tofu/ regular tofu. The texture of firm tofu differs a lot from the texture of silky tofu so make sure to look for silky tofu specifically. If you can't get it in the supermarket, you can order it online.

    Can I use normal tofu instead of silken?

    No, because of their different textures silken tofu and normal tofu can not be used interchangeably. Silken tofu has a silky, creamy texture because of its high water content. It's very wobbly- a block of silken tofu will fall apart once it's out of the package.

    Can you firm up silken tofu?

    No, silken tofu will stay very soft which is why it's used in certain recipes in the first place.

    Should you press silken tofu?

    Silken tofu doesn't need to be pressed like regular tofu in order to get rid of the excess water. Simply drain any excess liquid left and use the tofu right away.

    Breakfast

    This recipe collection includes 3 different silken tofu breakfast recipes. You'll see that it's often used as an egg replacer and you can even use it in overnight oats to add some protein and creamy texture.

    Silken Tofu Smoothie
    The fact that silken tofu has a relatively neutral taste makes it a perfect foundation for smoothies allowing other flavors to shine. Try one of these silken tofu smoothies for a protein-packed breakfast.
    make the recipe
    3 silken tofu smoothies on a marble plate with a straw inside.
    Silken Tofu Scramble
    Did you know that you can make tofu taste just like real eggs? This silken tofu scramble recipe looks and tastes just like scrambled eggs. The key ingredients are turmeric powder and black salt, which provide a yellow color and eggy flavor.
    Recipe & Image: Cooking With Elo
    make the recipe
    silken tofu scramble with some bread on a plate.
    Vegan Silken Tofu Omlette
    This tofu omelette is eggy, savory, and super flavorful! Get creative and fill it with whatever filling you fancy.
    Recipe & Image: My Plantiful Cooking
    make the recipe
    Omelette stuffed with spinach and mushrooms on a plate topped with chopped parsley with a fork beside.
    Protein Overnight Oats
    Silken tofu is a healthy way to add even more creaminess and protein to overnight oats. 
    Recipe & Image: My Quiet Kitchen
    make the recipe
    three glasses filled with creamy overnight oats against a blue background.

    Appetizers, Soups & Side Dishes

    Miso Soup might be the one recipe that comes into your mind when you think of tofu in soups. While it's still a delicious classic, there are also a lot of other ways to include silken tofu in appetizer, soup or side dish recipes.

    Silken Tofu With Korean Soy Sauce
    This easy vegan silken tofu is served hot or cold with a savory Korean soy sauce flavored with green onions, peppers, sesame seeds and red pepper flakes, also known as gochugaru. It makes a great appetizer or vegan entree that's a good source of protein.
    Recipe & Image: Drive Me Hungry
    make the recipe
    Silken tofu with Korean soy sauce made with green onions, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds poured on top
    Tomato & Silken Tofu Caprese Salad
    A plant-based version of an Italian classic! This tomato and silken tofu caprese salad might become a regular at your household!
    Recipe & Image: Plant Based On A Budget
    make the recipe
    Tomato and Silken Tofu caprese salad on a white platter
    Silken Tofu Salad
    Silken Tofu Salad is a delicious combination of tofu, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado with a light flavorful dressing. This salad is perfect as a nutritious lunch or as a starter with other Asian-inspired dishes.
    Recipe & Image: Veggies Save The Day
    make the recipe
    Plate of Silken Tofu Salad with wooden chopsticks
    Chilled Cucumber Soup
    This healthy and light cucumber soup is perfect for sweltering summer days. Silken tofu gives this soup a creamy body that pairs perfectly with the cucumber.
    Recipe & Image: Garlic and Zest
    make the recipe
    chilled cucumber soup in a big bowl topped with fresh cucumber and pico de gallo.
    Easy Miso Soup
    This easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup) with shiitake mushrooms makes a perfect nutritious umami-packed savory vegan lunch. Comforting, healthy and ready in just 15 minutes!
    Recipe & Image: Happy Kitchen
    make the recipe
    Full Bowl of Miso Soup Served with a Spoon.
    Vegan Cream of Zucchini Soup
    Quick and Easy Vegan Cream of Zucchini Soup Recipe. Just 7 ingredients and less than 30 minutes. Serve warm or cold for a satisfying and nutritious, delicious dairy-free soup.
    Recipe & Image: Debra Klein
    make the recipe
    Three white bowls, filled with light green creamy zucchini soup and sprinkled with nutritional yeast and strips of red pepper on a white background with a blue tea towel.
    Tomato Enoki Mushroom & Tofu Soup
    An Asian-Style Tomato Soup that's packed with flavors and ready in less than 25 minutes.
    Recipe & Image: Joyful Dumplings
    make the recipe
    tomato enoki mushroom and tofu-soup in a big soup pot.
    Instant Pot Sweet Potato Soup with Tofu
    Whip up this easy instant pot sweet potato soup with silken tofu to warm up. The tofu adds extra creaminess and makes this soup silky and delicious.
    Recipe & Image: Nourish Nutrition Blog
    make the recipe
    instant pot sweet potato soup with tofu in bowls, on table with bread

    Main Dishes

    Soft silken tofu is perfect for creating creamy sauces which is why it's a popular ingredient in pasta dishes. It's also used in typical Korean stews or other vegan recipes such as vegan pot pies or quiche. Below you'll find a variety of vegan lunch and dinner recipes.

    Vegan Pot Pie
    Not just a festive favourite, but also a crowd-pleasing meal regardless of the ocassion. This vegan pot pie contains a secret portion of silken tofu as well as plenty of veggies. Simply irresistible!
    Recipe & Image: My Vegan Minimalist
    make the recipe
    A baked vegan pot pie on a grey background.
    Vegan Carbonara
    This vegan carbonara puts tofu to use in one of the best ways possible - to make a rich and creamy silken tofu pasta sauce! As a bonus, this recipe is quick to make and packed with protein.
    Recipe by Vegan Punks
    make the recipe
    Vegan carbonara on a plate with another plate, bowl and pinch bowl in the background
    Silken Tofu Curry
    This silken tofu curry is a delicious combination of melt-in-your-mouth silken tofu, tender vegetables, creamy peanut sauce, and aromatic Thai red curry flavours. Ready in just 30 minutes- the perfect weeknight dinner!
    Recipe & Image: Forkful of Plants
    make the recipe
    big bowl of silken tou curry with rice.
    Vegan Pasta Frittata
    This vegan pasta frittata is ideal for using up leftover pasta (or veggies) and packs up so nicely for lunch on the go.
    Recipe & Image: The Vegan Larder
    make the recipe
    Vegan Pasta Frittata on a plate.
    Soondubu Jjigae (Korean Stew)
    Soondubu jjigae is one of the most popular Korean stews out there, featuring spicy-sour notes from kimchi paired with the creamy, custard-like texture of silken tofu.
    Recipe & Image: Earth To Veg
    make the recipe
    pot full of soondubu jjigae
    Vegan Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
    Mac ‘n’ cheese is one of those vegan recipes that many people consider the ultimate comfort food. What a bliss if you can make this recipe healthy and tasty at the same time!
    Recipe & Image: Nutri Planet
    make the recipe
    butternut mac and cheese in a big bowl.
    Vegan Quiche
    This is the perfect base recipe for an incredible vegan quiche baked up in a flaky and delicious vegan pie crust. The filling is super creamy, rich and cheesy and you can customize it with all of your favourite quiche add-ins!
    Recipe & Image: A Virtual Vegan
    make the recipe
    a slice of vegan quiche on a plate.
    Vegan Garlic Pasta
    Creamy vegan garlic pasta that’s perfect for busy weeknights. You can have it ready to serve in under 30-minutes!
    Recipe & Image: Delightful Adventures
    make the recipe
    Vegan Garlic Pasta Sauce in a dish to be served, two forks sit to the left of the dish

    Desserts

    These silken Tofu Dessert Recipes will blow your mind! Think creamy chocolate mousse, vegan cheesecake recipes or other no-bake desserts. You can even make ice cream with silken tofu- it sure is a magic ingredient!

    Creamy Chocolate Mousse (3 ingredients!)
    This velvety smooth Silken Tofu Chocolate Mousse is incredibly rich and creamy. The best part is that the basic recipe for this creamy chocolate mousse consists of only 3 ingredients and is ready in 15 minutes!
    make the recipe
    big glass of silken tofu chocolate mousse next to it some cherries
    Baked Vegan Cheesecake with Berries
    Baked vegan cheesecake with a creamy filling and juicy berries. The recipe can also be made gluten free, refined sugar free and coconut-free! Compared to other vegan cheesecake recipes, this recipe uses NO vegan cream cheese.
    Recipe & Image: Rainbow Nourishments
    make the recipe
    baked vegan cheesecake with berries on top on a plate.
    Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake (no-bake, nut-free)
    Easy chocolate silken tofu cheesecake with an oreo cookie crust and chocolate ganache sauce. This vegan cheesecake is no-bake and made without cashews.
    Recipe & Image: Addicted To Dates
    make the recipe
    slice of vegan chocolate cheesecake on a plate topped with melted chocolate.
    Vegan Lemon Bars (gluten-free)
    These lightened-up vegan lemon bars use silken tofu in the filling instead of the usual dairy, eggs, or coconut milk.
    Recipe & Image: My Quiet Kitchen
    make the recipe
    sliced squares of lemon bars topped with thinly sliced lemon.
    Silken Tofu Ice Cream
    This creamy vegan ice cream recipe requires only easy ingredients and no special equipment, except a blender. You’ll get a sweet flavor and perfectly creamy texture without the dairy and too much sugar.
    Recipe & Image: Hurry The Food Up
    make the recipe
    Three scoops of silken tofu ice cream with a golden spoon.
    Easy Vegan Tiramisu
    Easy vegan tiramisu using only 5 key ingredients, no cashews, no vegan cream cheese or added coconut oil! It takes only 20 minutes to prepare and is as creamy and delicious as the classic Italian dessert!
    Recipe & Image: Rainbow Nourishments
    make the recipe
    Slice of vegan tiramisu on plate with distinct layers of coffee-soaked cookies and dairy free mascarpone
    Chocolate Chai Pot De Creme
    This delicious dessert is so simple to make! All you need is a blender, no cooking required - and nobody will guess it uses tofu!
    Recipe & Image by Evergreen Kitchen
    make the recipe
    Chocolate chai pot de creme in a cup with a spoon scooping out a bite
    Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake
    This Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake is creamy and full of delicious fall flavors. Serve this easy-to-make dessert after your holiday meals or just enjoy a slice with coffee and friends this season.
    Recipe & Image: Eat Something Vegan
    make the recipe
    1 slice of vegan pupkin pie.
    Vegan Chocolate Peppermint Pie
    This vegan chocolate peppermint pie combines a chocolate pie crust with a creamy silken-tofu chocolate-peppermint filling, all topped off with crushed candy canes, and is the perfect fuss-free holiday dessert.
    Recipe & Image: Plant Based On A Budget
    make the recipe
    ompleted slice of Silken Chocolate Peppermint Pie plated with more pie in the background
    Filipino Taho Recipe: Sweet Tofu with Sago and Syrup
    Taho is soft tofu (sometimes called silken tofu) that’s sweetened with brown sugar syrup and topped with sago or tapioca pearls. It’s a popular breakfast treat in the Philippines but it’s also served as a snack and dessert. 
    Recipe & Image: The Unlikely Baker
    make the recipe
    Filipino taho in a glass.
    Vegan Peanut Butter Pie
    This no-bake dessert recipe for Vegan Peanut Butter Pie with Tofu is so delicious and creamy. Nobody will ever believe it’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and made using silken tofu! 
    Recipe & Image: Clean Eating Kitchen
    make the recipe
    1 slice of vegan peanut butter pie.

    Dips & Sauces

    Because of its smooth texture, silken tofu can be used to create high-protein, dairy-free salad dressings, dips and sauces.

    Vegan Kiwi Onion Dip
    Silken Tofu is one of the ingredients you'll need to make this delicious creamy vegan French onion dip-perfect for crisps and crackers.
    Recipe & Image: My Kids Lick The Bowl
    make the recipe
    A hand holding a chip loaded with dip above a bowl of kiwi onion dip.
    Vegan Buffalo Queso
    Looking to add a kick to your wraps, sandwiches, pastas, and more? Then you'll love this dairy-free buffalo queso! Made with the creamy power of tofu and cashews, this recipe comes together in just a few minutes.
    Recipe & Image: World Of Vegan
    make the recipe
    vegan buffalo queso dip in a small bowl topped with green onions.
    Tofu Chutney Recipe with Dill
    Dip veggies, pour on salads or enjoy as a sauce, this 5-minute vegan tofu chutney recipe is like nothing you've tried before. Healthy, plant-powered and Desi~licious - It's easy to see why!
    Recipe & Image: Desi~licious
    make the recipe
    bowl of chutney recipe surrounded by roasted vegetables.
    Vegan Mayo
    This creamy and luscious tofu mayo is made from silken tofu! A must-have condiment to have in hand, you can use it in any place that calls for mayo.
    Recipe & Image: My Plantiful Cooking
    make the recipe
    A jar of tofu mayo with spoon with lemon halves, salt, and mustard beside
    Spinach Artichoke Dip (vegan)
    This creamy and flavorful vegan spinach artichoke dip is a crowd-pleasing warm, baked appetizer that will satisfy vegans and non-vegans alike!
    Recipe & Image: Watch Learn Eat
    make the recipe
    holding a piece of bread with vegan spinach artichoke dip on it over the casserole of the rest of the dip.

    More Recipes

    • Creamy Honey Oatmeal
    • Indian Tofu Curry
    • Chocolate Walnuts
    • Barley Porridge

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    katie author of WSK

    Hi, I'm Katie and I am the face behind this website. Click here to learn more about me and my passion for (healthy) food and photography.

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