Looking for recipes that use silken tofu or are you just curious about what silken tofu is and when to use it? Continue reading to learn more about silken tofu or skip straight to the best silken tofu recipes and start cooking!
What Is Silken Tofu?
Silken tofu, just like regular tofu, is coagulated soy milk. Unlike regular tofu, silken tofu has a silky, wobbly and smooth custard-like consistency and it’s often described as creamy and velvety. It is also referred to as soft tofu or kinugoshi and it’s very popular in Asian cuisine.
Like regular tofu, silken tofu has a neutral taste and it’s great for soaking up flavors.
The adaptability of silken tofu is one of its most appealing features. It can be used in a variety of culinary applications. Silken tofu is frequently used in savoury dishes for soups, sauces, dressings, and dips. The consistency makes it perfect for pureeing, blending, or adding to recipes that call for a smooth texture.
Silken tofu is excellent in sweet recipes as well as savoury ones. It gives vegan and vegetarian sweets a rich, creamy texture without requiring cream or eggs. It is frequently used as a dairy substitute. Smoothies, puddings, mousses, and cheesecakes can all benefit from the delicate richness that silken tofu brings to the recipe.
Important Information About Silken Tofu
Not all silken tofu are alike – There are different types of silken tofu, and depending on how well stock your supermarket is, you might find different types. There are three main varieties: soft silken tofu, that is super delicate and you won’t be able to manage it without breaking it; firm silken tofu is more rigid but still soft and extra firm silken tofu is more like jello and you will be able to pick it up with your hands. Not all recipes specifiy what sort of silken tofu to use, but based on what it’s used for, you can understand which one you need. For sauces or where it needs to be blended, you can use all three, for dishes that require braising or stewing, firm and extra firm are better.
Silken tofu is very different from regular tofu – I would not suggest using regular tofu instead of silken tofu if you cannot find it. Silken tofu is much more neutral in taste in my opinion. In terms of texture, you likely won0t achieve that silky and velvety consistency with regular tofu.
Where to buy silken tofu – You can find silken tofu in the asian or ethnic section of your supermarket (if it’s well stocked) or sometimes in the refrigerated section. Asian grocery stores and ethnic shops also usually have it.
30 Best Silken Tofu Recipes
SAVOURY RECIPES
1. VEGAN SCRAMBLED TOFU
These vegan scrambled eggs use both silken tofu and regular tofu for the most perfect result. The silken tofu gives the regular tofu the perfect texture that is wobbly and soft to resemble scrambled eggs. It’s the perfect breakfast and it comes together super quickly
Get the recipe by Recipes and Places
2. SILKEN TOFU PASTA SAUCE
This silken tofu pasta sauce is a quick and easy way to make a creamy vegan alfredo from tofu. It’s rich, creamy, and delicious plus it’s packed with protein! You can whip up this vegan cream sauce in about 15 minutes with just a few basic ingredients. This is the creamy vegan pasta sauce that you have been looking for!
Get the recipe by The Hidden Veggies
3. SPICY SILKEN TOFU SOUP
This Korean tofu soup is made with silken tofu and veggies in a spicy gochujang broth! Its comforting, healthy, and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.
Get the recipe by Connoisseurus Veg
4. VEGAN CEASAR SALAD WITH SILKEN TOFU DRESSING
Homemade vegan Caesar Salad Dressing made with silken tofu is destined to be your new favorite condiment! Pour it on salads, slather it on sandwiches, or use it as a dip for veggies! This easy salad dressing recipe is vegan nut free, oil free, dairy free, and gluten-free.
Get the recipe by Dianne’s Vegan Kitchen
5. MISO SOUP
Easy Miso Soup (Japanese Clear Soup) Recipe makes a perfect nutritious umami-packed savory vegan lunch. Comforting, healthy and ready in just 15 minutes!
Get the recipe by Happy Kitchen
6. CHINESE TOMATO EGG STIR FRY WITH SILKEN TOFU (VEGAN)
Mapo Tofu meets Chinese Tomato Egg Stir-Fry in this vegan Chinese Style Tomato & “Egg” Stir-Fry with Silken Tofu recipe that’s delicious served over rice or noodles.
Get the recipe by The Foodie Takes Flight
7. SILKEN TOFU BLOCK WITH SOY SESAME OIL
This quick and easy Silken Tofu with Soy Sesame Sauce is made in less than 5 minutes with only a handful of ingredients! This silken tofu recipe features cold tofu and a savoury sauce is the perfect banchan, aka side dish.
Get the recipe by Carmy
8. SILKEN TOFU QUICHE WITH MUSHROOMS AND ONIONS
This vegan silken tofu quiche recipe with caramelized onion, olive oil, mushrooms and rosemary is delicious. This vegan mushroom quiche will be sure to be a family favorite for a simple mid-week vegan dinner!
Get the recipe by Healthy French Wife
9. CREAMY TOMATO BASIL SOUP WITH SILKEN TOFU
This creamy tomato soup is incredibly bright, bursting with umami goodness, and luxuriously rich. It’s also higher in protein and fiber than most tomato soup recipes thanks to one secret ingredient: silken tofu! Silken tofu is a game-changing creamy soup ingredient. Firstly, it adds top-notch creaminess without having to add heavy cream or half-and-half. Secondly, it’s a rich source of plant-based protein and fiber, which makes the soup far more satiating.
Get the recipe by Dishing Out Health
10. SILKEN TOFU PESTO
Tofu pesto is a low-fat, vegan version of Italian basil pesto sauce prepared with silken tofu instead of the traditional cheese and oil. It’s ready in a flash and naturally creamy, delicious stirred through pasta! Silken tofu turns incredibly creamy when blended, making it the perfect ingredient in homemade vegan pesto.
Get the recipe by Foodaciously
11. SILKEN TOFU TZATZIKI
This Vegan Tzatziki made with Tofu is zesty, tangy and adds the perfect freshness to any dish! You can make this tzatziki in a blender, and it is dairy free, gluten free and vegan! Add this tzatziki into a tofu souvlaki wrap or use it as a dip for veggies! This tzatziki is high in protein and fiber and made in under 10 minutes!
Get the recipe by That Vegan Babe
12. SILKEN TOFU RANCH DRESSING
Here’s a creamy, delicious recipe for Vegan Ranch Dressing, dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free. It’s low-calorie, made creamy with silken tofu. Perfect for salads, wraps, bowls, or as a veggie dip! This can also be made oil-free.
Get the recipe by Feasting At Home
13. VEGAN MAC AND CHEESE WITH SILKEN TOFU
A vegan mac and cheese that even picky kids will love? This is the one! Classic mac and cheese flavour, with a silken tofu mac and cheese sauce (no cashews!) that takes just 5 minutes to whip up in the blender
Get the recipe by Desiree Nielsen
14. SILKEN TOFU MAYO
This thick and creamy tofu mayonnaise is a must-have condiment in your pantry! It is effortless to make and is ready in 5 minutes. This recipe is versatile and is great as a spread, dipping sauce, or dressing.
Get the recipe by My Plantiful Cooking
15. VEGAN MAPO TOFU
A simple cold silken tofu recipe elevated with a savory sauce, fried garlic, fermented black beans, and topped with pickled cucumber. It is truly one of the easiest Chinese tofu side dishes you can prepare that is utterly delicious to eat.
Get the recipe by The Woks of Life
16. SILKEN TOFU SHAKSHUKA
This tofu shakshuka is a vegan take on a dish popular in North Africa and the Middle East. A smoky spiced tomato and red pepper sauce is topped with an eggy tofu batter to make a delicious and filling dish, perfect for breakfast or dinner!
Get the recipe – By Forkful Of Plants
17. VEGAN ‘EGG’ SALAD SANDWICH
Vegan Egg Salad is made with silken tofu, perfectly seasoned vegan mayo, mustard, and chives and served as a sandwich or wrap! It’s easily customizable, protein-rich, and quick and easy to make.
Get the recipe – by Simple Veganista
SWEET RECIPES
1. SILKEN TOFU CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
This silken tofu chocolate mousse is made with only three ingredients. You could not tell that it’s vegan, many non vegans tried this and no one could tell it’s made from tofu. It’s incredible, tofu provides an amazing silky texture as well as added protein. The mousse is decadent, rich, smooth, creamy, and super easy to make! It’s the perfect treat or healthy snack.
Get the recipe – by Recipes and Places
2. SILKEN TOFU CHEESECAKE
This vegan tofu cheesecake is on the lighter side – like a cheesecake pudding pie – and it’s wonderfully creamy, sweet, and satisfying! Silken tofu is the perfect base for the filling, lending body and creaminess while keeping the fat lower than your average vegan cheesecake. Only 8 ingredients and prep is so easy!
Get the recipe – by My Quiet Kitchen
3. SILKEN TOFU PUDDING
Indulge your sweet tooth (guilt-free) with smooth and creamy silken tofu pudding. Light, sweet, and protein-packed, this healthy dessert is super easy to make. All you need is five minutes and a high-speed blender.
Get the recipe – by Dessert Done Light
4. SILKEN TOFU CHOCOLATE PIE
This Vegan Chocolate Pie is out-of-this-world! Showcasing a luscious and silky 4-ingredient chocolate filling and a whipped cream topping, it’s surprisingly easy to make and the best treat to serve on any occasion.
Get the recipe – by Nora Cooks
5. SILKEN TOFU CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES
These easy vegan chocolate truffles are a delicious holiday treat! The perfect homemade chocolate for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or just your next chocolate craving! They’re vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free, yet rich, creamy, and delicious!
Get the recipe – by The Hidden Veggies
6. VEGAN PUMPKIN PIE
This classic vegan pumpkin pie is so rich and creamy, no one will believe it’s vegan. The filling can be made in a blender for a quick and easy fall dessert the whole family will love.
Get the recipe – by My Darling Vegan
7. SILKEN TOFU PANCAKES
Fluffy, silken tofu pancakes are on the menu! Even though they’re made without eggs or dairy, you won’t believe how delicious they are. The tofu blends perfectly into the batter and cooks up light and fluffy every time. I top my pancake stack with fresh fruit and maple syrup for a satisfying, protein-packed start to the day.
Get the recipe by The Daily Dish
8. SILKEN TOFU ICE CREAM
This rich and creamy silken tofu ice cream is a simple, vegan, and dairy-free frozen treat your whole family will love! It’s perfect for anyone looking for a homemade, plant-based treat that’s easy to make and tastes great. With simple ingredients like silken tofu, plant-based milk, and your favorite mix-ins, I’ve got a version for everyone, with 7 different flavor options to choose from!
Get the recipe – by The Picky Eater
9. SILKEN TOFU SMOOTHIE
Tofu in a smoothie? I know it sounds a little weird but it’s actually so good! This silken tofu smoothie has a creamy texture and protein boost thanks to the addition of silken tofu. You would never guess there’s tofu in this refreshing delicious smoothie!
Get the recipe – By Naturallie Plantbased
10. VEGAN LEMON TART
Vegan lemon tart – this vegan version of a classic tarte au citron is tangy, creamy, intensely lemony and utterly delicious. It consists of a crisp pastry shell filled with a baked lemon custard; you would never be able to guess that it contains no eggs or dairy! Here silken tofu is used as an egg replacer
Get the recipe – by Domestic Gothess
11. SILKEN TOFU 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!
Get the recipe – by Rainbow Nourishments
FINAL THOUGHTS
Silken tofu is a true kitchen hero, bringing versatility to both savory and sweet dishes. Its creamy texture and neutral flavor make it perfect for everything from sauces and dressings to desserts and smoothies. Whether you’re whipping up a hearty meal, a light snack, or a decadent treat, silken tofu can do it all.
What’s great about silken tofu is how easily it blends into recipes, adding a smooth, rich texture without overpowering other flavors. It’s a fantastic plant-based protein that can replace dairy in so many dishes, making it a must-have for anyone exploring vegan or vegetarian cooking—or just wanting to try something new.
With these recipes, you’ve got a solid mix of savory and sweet options to play with. From creamy pastas and soups to chocolatey desserts and breakfast treats, there’s something for everyone. So don’t be afraid to get creative in the kitchen. Grab some silken tofu and start experimenting—you might just discover your new favorite dish!
