How to Press Tofu
Tofu is a staple of plant-based eating—but cooking it yourself can be intimidating. Learn how to press tofu easily with this quick guide!
Yield: 1 block of tofu
Instructions
- Take your tofu out of its package. Wrap it loosely in paper towels (or reusable paper towels)
- Lie the tofu on a flat surface (I use a plate). Beware that liquid will begin seeping out during this process, so you may want to set the plate in your sink.
- Place something heavy, such as a pot or a cast iron skillet, on top of the tofu block. To add extra weight, feel free to put a few cans on top of that.
- Let that sit for at least 15 minutes.
Notes
Optional to get maximum liquid out of the tofu: while you’re waiting, you can occasionally rotate the cast iron skillet and press down slightly, with even pressure across the skillet. Be careful, though. If you press too fast or too hard, it can break the tofu—which doesn’t change the flavor, but it’s something to consider if you want to cut it into nice even pieces later.