Sesame Soy Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu) (2024)

Published: May 1, 2023 by Nisha Melvani, RDN · I earn commissions from purchases via links on this post.

This no-cook, 10-minute Sesame Soy Silken Tofu recipe is a delicious and easy way to add protein to a meal. The soft and creamy texture of silken tofu sops up the tangy soy dressing for a truly flavorful dish. (Gluten-free)

Serve this dish cold or warm. It's so versatile. It functions as an appetizer, main dish, or side. Plus, it's rich in plant-based protein and heart-healthy fats.

This recipe is handy for adding protein to leftover rice, or slurpy noodles. The combination of the cold soft tofu with a warm grain is addictive. Moreover, it's budget-friendly. You need just a handful of pantry-friendly ingredients to make it, and it takes just 10 minutes to come together.

Although soft tofu is traditionally served cold, you can also serve it warm by simply steaming or microwaving the block before adding the dressing. This is the perfect summer go-to recipe for adding protein to your meal without having to turn on the oven or stove. It's refreshing and pairs well with almost anything.

This dish was inspired by my pantry-friendly High-Protein Peanut Soba Noodles with Tofu on this site and pairs well with this quick Avocado Mango Salad.

👩🏼‍🌾 Ingredients

• Silken tofu, also called soft, silk, or Japanese-style tofu has a softer and creamier consistency than regular tofu. It comes with different levels of firmness, soft, firm, and extra firm. All versions work fine for this recipe. Silken tofu (soft tofu) is sometimes packaged in shelf-stable aseptic boxes that do not require refrigeration. I used fresh silken tofu for this recipe, which can be found in the refrigerated section. Both silken and regular tofu are made with the same ingredients, but they are processed slightly differently. Unlike regular tofu, the silken variety does not require pressing.
• Soy sauce and tamari both work well for the sesame soy dressing. Use low sodium varieties when possible for a healthier dish.

See the recipe card for quantities.

🍶 Substitutions

• Silken tofu - if you have trouble sourcing silken tofu,use soft block tofu instead
• Soy sauce - instead of soy sauce, use gluten-free tamari for gluten-free
• Chili garlic sauce - substitute with sriracha, or use my 7-minute homemade Easy Chili Crisp recipe instead
• Cilantro - top with chopped fresh cilantro for even more flavor

Visit my Vegan Tofu Recipes page for more healthy, easy tofu recipes.

📖 Instructions

Step 1: Drain the tofu:Pierce the packet of tofu, and carefully drain the liquid.

Step 2: Gently tip the block onto a kitchen towel. Try to keep the block in one piece, if possible, but don’t worry if it falls apart, it still tastes delicious. Pat it dry, removing as much liquid as possible.

Step 3: Transfer the block to a serving plate, or to an airtight container to refrigerate if you plan on eating this later. You can leave the block whole, or slice the soft tofu widthwise into rectangles.

Step 4: Mix the tamari or soy sauce, garlic chili sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, maple syrup, sesame seeds, and one-half of the chopped scallion in a small bowl.

Step 5: Pour the dressing over the topof the tofu until it is completely covered. Top with remaining scallions.

For serving:Enjoy this dish with rice, noodles, or a grain of your choice.

See Also

Kimchi Fried Rice (Plant-Based!)Healthy Thai Chicken Salad (Authentic Peanut Dressing Recipe)Gluten Free Zucchini Noodle LasagnaCoconut Crusted Tofu with Habanero Pineapple Sauce and Ginger Coconut Rice

💡 Expert Tips

• Removing the tofu: Silken tofu tends to stick to the sides of the box, so it can be tricky to remove the block without it falling apart. If using fresh silken tofu sold in a plastic container, follow these tips to remove it from the box: Flip the box over, and cut small holes in two diagonal corners. Then blow some air into the box. The package can now be removed easily. Peel away the plastic cover from the top, and pour out the excess liquid. Then cover the tofu with a plate to flip it over.
• How to heat silken tofu: To serve it warm,microwave the block on a microwave-safe plate for about 3 minutes, or until warm to the touch. Or you can steam it in a steamer basket.
• For serving: You can slice the block into rectangles for easier serving. Cut it on the serving plate, and handle the pieces with a spoon instead of chopsticks as soft tofu breaks easily.
• The sodium content of the dressing is high, especially if you are not using low sodium soy sauce or tamari, but it does not all get consumed. A salty sauce is required to season the tofu, but a portion is left on the bottom of the plate that can be saved and reused for more tofu, or added to rice or noodles.
• Storage: Refrigerate leftover Sesame Soy Silken Tofu (Soft Tofu) in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.

🍽 Recipe FAQs

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