Published: · Modified: by Becky Striepe · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon and ShareASale associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Who says that making flavorful tofu dishes has to be hard? These simple and satisfying Instant Pot tofu recipes put that idea to rest.
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Instant Pot tofu recipes
How do you cook tofu in an Instant Pot?
Why make tofu in the pressure cooker?
What is an Instant Pot?
Need more easy dinners? Check out these simple vegan recipes with five ingredients or less!
Instant Pot tofu recipes
Ready to put your electric pressure cooker to work? Let's make some Instant Pot tofu, y'all!
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu is one of my family's favorite meals, and it's so, so easy to make!
Get the recipe!
Instant Pot tofu soup recipe
Creamy Instant Pot tofu soup gets a lovely little kick from red curry. Serve it over noodles or rice for an easy, vegan, one-bowl meal.
Get the recipe!
Instant Pot Thai Green Curry with Tofu
This slightly sweet and mildly spicy recipe for Instant Pot Thai Green Curry with Tofu beats take-out any day! It's a delicious vegan curry that comes together in less than 30 minutes, and is completely customizable.
Deliciously firm tofu with perfectly-steamed snap peas and sweet potato team up with a sweet-and-spicy sauce for a perfect one-pot meal. (photo by Lauren Volo)
This hearty vegan stew is full of protein-rich tofu, Fingerling potatoes, vegetables and savoury broth. Use the pressure cooking function on your Instant Pot for a complete one-pot meal that’s ready in 1 hour or less.
Chinese-Takeout Style Tofu and Broccoli tastes just as good as takeout and is SO much better for you. Plus, with the Instant Pot, it comes together in no time, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option.
Because your Instant Pot has so many functions, there are a lot of different ways to use it to cook tofu.
If you want crispy tofu, marinate it, then toss it in cornstarch and use the pot's Sauté function to cook it until it browns. You do need oil to get the crispiest results here.
Then, you can add whatever veggies you want to the pot, lock the lid, and use the Pressure Cook or Steam function to do tofu and veggies all in one pot. The cooking time will vary depending on what veggies you use.
The Instant Pot is also great for making tofu soups and stews. You can start by sautéing your tofu in the pot, if you like. Then, add in broth, veggies, seasonings, etc, and cook at pressure until everything is cooked through. Refer to a good cooking times chart to see how long to cook at pressure.
You can also use the Instant Pot as a slow cooker to make your favorite slow cooker tofu recipes!
The other fun way to do tofu in your Instant Pot is to use the air fryer lid to air fry your tofu until crispy.
To use the air fryer lid, just place the air fryer pot inside the stainless steel pot, and add the tofu. Cover with the lid, and set your time and temperature. I like to cook tofu at 400° F for 15-20 minutes, depending on how well done I want it.
Once the tofu is crispy, use the pressure cooker setting to cook grains and veggies to go with it.
Why make tofu in the pressure cooker?
Have you cooked tofu in your Instant Pot yet? There are so many ways to turn my favorite plant-based protein into a delicious dish using just your Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot has a saute function. So, in addition to being able to pressure cook, you can brown your tofu right in the pot. That means one less dish to wash when you finish cooking.
Not all Instant Pot tofu recipes call for browning your tofu, though. The high pressure inside of the pot gives your tofu a firmer, more toothsome texture than you get on the stovetop.
The other thing I love about pressure cooker tofu recipes is that they tend to be very hands-off. There might be a quick saute at the beginning or simmer-and-stir situation at the end, but the bulk of the cooking is very set it and forget it.
What is an Instant Pot?
Chances are, you've heard people talk about the Instant Pot, but maybe it's not clear what exactly it is. An Instant Pot is a multi-pot: an electric pressure cooker with other functions.
In fact, you can make most Instant Pot recipes in any electric pressure cooker. It's like the Kleenex of pressure cookers.
Multi-pots usually include saute, slow cook, and yogurt functions in addition to pressure cooking. They also tend to include presets for things like rice and stew, but I don't recommend using the presets. They can give you dicey results.
I wrote a very detailed explainer on what electric pressure cookers/multi-pots, like the Instant Pot, can do. If you want to learn more about how to use this incredibly handy kitchen appliance, I definitely suggest checking it out!
What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.
Restaurants understand the power of salt and use it liberally to ensure that tofu is well-seasoned. As masters of flavors, professional chefs know that tofu's porous nature allows it to absorb the flavors it's cooked with, and they use this to their advantage.
Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.
Some people believe that eating too much soy can increase the risk of breast cancer, disrupt thyroid function, or "feminize" men (who naturally have lower estrogen levels than women) due to the estrogen-like isoflavones. However, the research is "mixed and inconclusive," according to Iu.
- It is said that tofu cannot be eaten together with spinach at the same time. As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.
This probably coincided with the spread of Buddhism as it is an important source of protein in the vegetarian diet of East Asian Buddhism. Li Shizhen, during the Ming dynasty, described a method of making tofu in the Compendium of Materia Medica.
Press tofu and cube it. Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.
It is a good source of protein and a staple of Japanese cuisine. Tofu is an especially important ingredient in vegetarian Buddhist temple cuisine (shojin ryori). On its own, fresh tofu has a delicate taste. It is a versatile food that can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Heat a large oven-safe metal or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and the seasoned tofu. Sauté for 5 minutes, shaking/flipping occasionally to cook on all sides, until tofu has a slight crust on each side and has begun to brown.
Healthier - For starters, broiling tofu is a healthier method of cooking than frying, and it requires less oil to create crispier cubes. Easy - It's also really easy to make.
In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.
It sticks, and the crispy bits end up sticking to the pan, which is a tofu tragedy. Plus, it requires more oil, and you don't need to use a lot of oil to get crispy tofu. When you bake your tofu, you give it time to develop crispy edges and warm, pillowy insides.It's simply the best.
If your crispy tofu isn't getting crispy, it could be because there is too much moisture in the tofu. Another issue could be the oil isn't hot enough to fry the tofu. Or you forgot to add the corn flour. These three reasons can cause your tofu to be soggy or not crisp up as much as you'd like.
After removing the tofu from its package, rinse it and then remove the water. For soft tofu, just drain it and blot it dry; but for medium, firm and extra-firm tofu, simple draining isn't enough—you need to press the water out. Think of it this way: Tofu is porous, like a sponge.
While people with inflammation should generally avoid dairy, soy protein products like tofu and tempeh have been found to reduce pain in joints according to a study from Oklahoma State University. An easy way to add soy to your diet is using soy protein powder. Spices.
But be forewarned: Processed soy (which includes tofu) can cause serious puff. It has estrogen-like effects in the body, which contribute to bloating. Dr.
Soybeans and soy products like tofu are rich in isoflavones. These flavonoids (plant-based chemicals) help lower your blood pressure and offer other heart-protective benefits. A 2020 study found that people who ate a serving of tofu each week had an 18% lower risk of heart disease than those who didn't.
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Introduction: My name is Virgilio Hermann JD, I am a fine, gifted, beautiful, encouraging, kind, talented, zealous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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