There are a lot of things we consider when it comes to food, and this includes the texture, the size, and the taste.
Taste is one of the most important things we consider because it has the biggest impact on whether we are going to enjoy the food or not.
The taste of food can vary, with some being strong with others not even having a taste in the first place.
One food people might wonder about is tofu. In this article, we’ll discover what it is, how much it tastes, if you can eat it raw, and finally, the best ways to eat it.
What Is Tofu?
Tofu is one of those non-meat alternatives that you have heard of, and if you are a vegetarian, vegan, or don’t care for meat, then chances are you know what it is.
Tofu is condensed soy milk that is then pressed into blocks. These blocks are very firm and can be used for a variety of foods.
This food has been around for a long time and contains a lot of protein as well as amino acids for your body to function.
It’s what makes it an excellent choice if you want a meat alternative. While it was originally made in China, it is now being eaten all over the world.
As we mentioned, tofu has a lot of nutrients. On top of that, it is also exceptionally low in calories, so if you are looking to lose weight, then you might want to look into eating tofu or something.
Just an option for those of you that fall under that category.
How Does Tofu Taste?
Simply put, tofu doesn’t have much of a taste. It’s very bland when eaten raw, which isn’t always a bad thing.
The reason why it isn’t a bad thing that tofu doesn’t taste like anything is that when you are cooking it or seasoning it, it will end up tasting whatever you are preparing it with.
It’s similar to when you cook with mushrooms. Mushrooms themselves don’t have a taste and will take on the taste of whatever you are preparing the mushrooms with.
Tofu has the same principle. Makes it pretty convenient if you want to make it with something.
Of course, you can eat it just as it comes, but you need to be aware that it might not be the tastiest thing in the world.
In the end, it’s your decision on how you want to consume tofu in the long run.
Can You Eat Tofu Raw?
We briefly mentioned this in the previous section but didn’t delve into much detail about it. So, let’s be straight with you and tell you that it is very possible to eat raw tofu.
There is nothing wrong with it, either. You have two kinds of tofu (silken and soft), and both can be eaten raw. All you have to do is take it out of the package, drain it, then rinse it, and you’ll be able to eat it.
However, it’s understandable that eating tofu raw is not going to be everyone’s first decision. It’s bland, as we said, and doesn’t have any taste, so biting into it might not be something your taste buds are even going to enjoy.
For those of you that don’t want to eat it raw, you’ll want to check out our next section, which will go into the many different ways you can cook tofu.
Ways To Cook Tofu
Luckily for you, there are many ways to cook tofu if you’d rather not eat it raw. It can be cooked on the stovetop or grill and even braised.
In addition, we listed a few easy recipe ideas you can use tofu for. They include:
- Tofu Tacos are a great way to include tofu into what is unbelievably delicious food. Using tofu makes it a meatless dish, perfect for those who don’t want to eat meat or stay away from it for whatever reasons. If you throw in some taco seasoning onto the tofu and mix it up as you are cooking, it will end up tasting just like those classic delicious tacos you know and love.
- Tofu Salad is a great way to eat tofu raw without having to be stuck getting that bland taste. Season the tofu with salad dressing, pepper, salt, etc., or whatever else you use to give your salad some kick. The tofu will add some nice volume to your salad while tasting good at the same time too.
- Tofu Stir Fry is the last food on our list, and if you love to stir fry, then you definitely want to consider going with this recipe. Adding tofu instead of chicken isn’t going to make that big a difference provided you use similar spices. Sure, there might be a different consistency, but with the same or similar spices, it is going to be like the chicken wasn’t even there. Tofu truly is a great non-meat alternative.
Here we have just three out of the many, many recipes available to make tofu with.
These are three of the easiest meals we felt that even those who haven’t cooked with tofu before will be able to make them with little to no problem.
Final Thoughts
And there we go, all you tofu lovers out there! Now you know not only what tofu is but also how this popular non-meat option tastes.
We also covered if you could eat it raw along with ways to cook it, so you’ll be able to cover all your bases depending on your preferences.
Tofu is one of those foods that you either love or hate. The best part about it is that it’s a great non-meat option for those who don’t like to eat a lot of meat, want to go vegan, or want to meet it halfway and become vegetarian.
So, next time you are out, consider getting some tofu and cooking it up.
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.