A block of white, tasteless, gelatin-like protein isn’t likely to be at the top of anyone’s must-try list. But press it, bathe it in flavor, bake it dry, and tofu becomes a delicious, chewy bite that’s not only meal-worthy, but also protein-rich, heart-healthy and budget-friendly.
The versatility of flavored, baked tofu is endless; drop it in soup, add it to salad, layer it in a sandwich, toss it with noodles, thread it on skewers for the barbecue — or simply cut it into cubes for a quick snack.
Related Articles
Taste-Off: Which dipped pretzels will satisfy your snack cravings?
Taste-Off: Chili crisp jars that you’ll open daily — and ones you’ll shelve
Taste-Off: Asian-inspired salad kits to toss and serve — or toss out
Taste-Off: The tastiest frozen enchiladas — and the ones to leave in the freezer case
Transforming tofu from bland to tasty can be done at home, but it takes time to do it right. And why? A handful of tofu companies have introduced an array of pre-marinated, baked tofu in a luscious lineup of flavors; teriyaki, ginger-sesame, sriracha, miso, Chinese five spice and more.
While not all markets carry flavored tofu, it’s a growing category. Hodo, an Oakland-based tofu producer, sells more than a dozen flavors. Other top tofu companies offer at least two, usually including teriyaki and a spicy Asian-inspired flavor.
Good flavored tofu is infused with bold, luscious seasonings that permeate the entire block of tofu. It’s both moist and chewy, and has a touch of salt that accentuates the flavors. Bad flavored tofu is over-baked, rendering it more rubbery than chewy, or is under-marinated, resulting in a bland mouthful.
Here are details on bites of tofu that are unexpectedly delicious, and the rubbery, tasteless blocks that will send you back to the meat department. Nutrition info refers to 85 grams, about 3 ounces.
Hodo Chermoula Moroccan Tofu Cubes
Delicious bits bathed in a sauce that’s infused with herbs, spices and more make these irresistible bites that would work well in any stir-fry — or simply warmed and dumped on rice. 160 calories, 11 grams fat, 250 milligrams sodium, 1 gram sugar, 12 grams protein. $6.99 for 8 ounces at Safeway. (4 stars)
Hodo Organic Braised Chinese Five-Spice Tofu
An aromatic punch of five spice in these dark-skinned slices makes these a delicious pick for those who wish tofu wasn’t so bland. Note that the company just released two more tasty offerings, Lightly Fried Chili Crisp with a rich roasted garlic note, and spicy Gochujang, but they hard to find. 120 calories, 4.5 grams fat, 135 milligrams sodium, 14 grams protein. $4.99 for 8 ounces at Safeway. (3 1/2 stars)
Hodo Organic Miso Tofu
The delicate flavor of miso combined with hints of garlic, sugar and tamari make for an umami-packed bite that’s a great choice for stir-fry. Those who appreciate understated flavors should look for the newly introduced Lightly Fried Golden Turmeric. 110 calories, 4 grams fat, 370 milligrams sodium, 2 grams sugar, 13 grams protein. $5.49 for 8 ounces at Whole Foods. (3 stars)
Wildwood Organic Teriyaki Baked Tofu
Fans of teriyaki will fall hard for this chunk of luscious sweet-salty tofu. It’s a bit dry, but it has a gentle teriyaki note, and just the right hit of salt. 155 calories, 8 grams fat, 215 milligrams sodium, 3 grams sugar, 15 grams protein. $5.79 for 7 ounces at Whole Foods. (2 stars)
Trader Joe’s Sriracha Baked Tofu
More time in the marinade is all this needs. The sauce in the pack is spot-on, but it’s failed to provide any real flavor to the tofu inside. Note that the Organic Baked Teriyaki Tofu suffers from the same issue. 146 calories, 8 grams fat, 275 milligrams sodium, 3 grams sugar, 15 grams protein. $3.99 for 7 ounces. (2 stars)
Nasoya Plantspired Teriyaki Tofubaked
While this is infused enough to bury the chalk-note of plain tofu, it’s sorely under-marinated. Without a label, it would be difficult to know it’s teriyaki. 155 calories, 8 grams fat, 335 milligrams sodium, 4 grams sugar, 15 grams protein. $4.99 for 7 ounces at Safeway. (1 1/2 stars)
Sunrise Marinated Tofu
Artificial coloring and lack of creativity aside, this is entirely edible. The primary flavor is salt, but it would be fine diced and dropped into salad or soup. 138 calories, 7 grams fat, 510 milligrams sodium, 4 grams sugar, 15 grams protein. $4.99 for 11.3 ounces at Mega Mart. (1 1/2 stars)
Nasoya Plantspired Sesame Ginger Tofubaked
The label on this one is like a tease. It sounds delicious — but it’s really not, as it misses the magic sweet-savory deliciousness of a great sesame and ginger sauce. So sad. 155 calories, 9 grams fat, 292 milligrams sodium, 2 grams sugar, 17 grams protein. $4.99 for 7 ounces at Safeway. (1 star)
Sprouts Organic Spicy Harissa Baked Tofu
The shocking blast of flavor in this is impressive, but the spicy, garlicky marinade is way out of balance. Drop this into soup or give it a good stir-fry to tame the flavor. 137 calories, 8 grams fat, 258 milligrams sodium, 1 gram sugar, 14 grams protein. $4.49 for 7 ounces. (1 star)
Sprouts Organic Teriyaki Baked Tofu
Something went terribly wrong in the flavor-infusion process. This tofu has pleasant, meaty texture, but it’s nearly taste-free. 155 calories, 8 grams fat, 215 milligrams sodium, 3 milligrams sugar, 15 grams protein. $4.49 for 7 ounces. (1/2 star)
Jenny’s Organic Smoked Five Spice Tofu
These bouncy slices of smoked tofu lack smoked flavor and are so dry that they’ve turned rubbery. 180 calories, 9 grams fat, 100 milligrams sodium, 1 gram sugar, 18 grams protein. $6.29 for 8 ounces at Sprouts. (no stars)
Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.
