How To Press Tofu

So, you've dabbled in the world of meat alternatives and tried tofu, but it didn't work out so well. You sautéed and sautéed, and it never got crispy; you poured in sauces and spices, but the cubes of tofu somehow dodged every drop of flavor you threw at them. Somehow, you were left with something that looked and tasted like it came straight out of the package.

The reality is that tofu needs a bit of T.L.C. to crisp and flavor up. Tofu needs to be pressed! Packaged tofu contains a lot of water, and its water content makes it difficult to change its texture and infuse any flavorings. The good news is that you need a few household items to press your tofu. Even better, more convenient kitchen tools are available to make the process easier and cleaner. Once you've got a system for pressing tofu, you only need a few go-to marinade recipes to prepare this meatless protein masterfully.

You likely already own a combination of kitchen and household items that will help you — as long as you've got the tofu. You'll want extra firm or firm tofu; anything softer is better suited for adding a creamy texture to desserts or as an egg substitute. The two primary ways to approach pressing tofu are manually (with the assistance of a couple of items, such as plates and napkins) or with specialty gadgets built for this purpose.

One method for manually pressing tofu requires two plates and a heavy item, such as a frying pan, a large book, or another type of kitchen weight. You also want to ensure you have chosen a bottom plate with a raised edge so the liquid can't escape over the sides. To manually press tofu with this method, put the tofu flat on one plate and add the second plate (face up) on top. Then, weigh down the top plate with your heavy object. The weight will press the water from the tofu block onto the first plate. Be sure to drain the water into the sink a few times during the process, and check that the weight and top plate are centered and aren't sliding off the block of tofu. You may need to watch and occasionally adjust to ensure even pressing.

For those who prefer a bit less mess, we suggest using paper or kitchen towels to catch the tofu water as it drains. Place the towel-wrapped tofu on a wire rack over a bowl or the sink to catch any liquid that gets through the towels, then place a cutting board on top of your weights. If you opt for paper towels, you might get bummed out by the sheer number you need to catch all the water. In this case, a linen kitchen towel may be your best bet.

Once you've dealt with pressing tofu by hand a few times, you may feel frustrated by weighted plates tipping and requiring constant rebalancing or tofu-water-soaked kitchen towels needing your immediate attention. Luckily, some gadgets make the whole process so smooth and convenient you might find yourself stocking up on tofu.

Two common types of tofu presses are plate-style and box presses. With most plate-style models, tofu goes in, and a top plate applies pressure to the tofu, usually via spring-loaded mechanisms, screws, or cranks. With this model, a top plate presses down, typically for around 20 to 30 minutes, until the water is fully drained. Box presses look like the name suggests: They are box-shaped and have a compartment for your tofu block. Once the tofu is placed inside a box press, the gadget usually has a weight mechanism to press down on the tofu while it rests inside the box. Some offerings secure the weight to the tofu with clips, while others require hand cranking or tightening screws to keep the weight in place. 

When shopping for tofu presses, consider whether the device has a separate compartment or tray for water collection. If it doesn't, you must place the tofu press on a plate or other surface that can collect the water. Once your tofu is pressed, all you need is a good marinade, and you'll be ready to enjoy some flavorful, excellently textured tofu!