How to Press Tofu

on Jun 01, 2022, Updated Jan 16, 2025

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Woman arranging tofu slices on a paper towel.

Pressing tofu to drain out excess moisture will allow it to brown and crisp up more, yielding a firmer, chewier texture some people find more appealing. Tofu (even extra-firm tofu) is pretty soft, and it’s usually sold packed in water. While sometimes that’s desirable, in stir-fries and other dishes, it’s usually more appealing when the tofu can get caramelized on the outside, creating a nice contrast between a firm exterior and a soft interior.

Pressing tofu allows it to hold its shape better while cooking and prevents it from falling apart. Also, pressing out the excess water means that the tofu will be able to absorb more flavors from the other ingredients and not get soggy. And, yes, you can press tofu without a press! All you need is a heavy object or two along with some towels, and you’ll also want to check out how to make crispy tofu on the stove!

Tofu is an amazing source of plant-based protein, so vegans and vegetarians rely on it as a key source of nutrition in dishes. Pressing tofu is a game-changer, and all of your stir-fries and sautées will be so much better! Try it in Orange Tofu, Simple Stir-Fried Crispy Tofu with Vegetables, and Sweet, Spicy, and Nutty Tofu, and scroll down for more tofu recipes.

How to Press Tofu Without a Press
How to Press Sliced Tofu
Pressing Tofu with a Tofu Press
How Long Does Tofu Take to Press?
Storage
7 Tofu Recipes

Tofu with Peanut Sauce on a green plate with rice and cucumber salad. — Tofu with Peanut Sauce

How to Press Tofu: Pressing tofu allows it to brown and crisp up and also absorb more flavor while cooking. Here are tips on how to press tofu without a press.

How to Press Tofu Without a Press

You can use either plates or cutting boards for the following methods. Use plates flat enough to lie cleanly against the top and bottom of the tofu; plates that are curved won’t be as effective. Use any type of tofu for this pressing method. Most tofu comes packed in water, and you need to drain it before pressing.

Prepare the surface: Place a dishtowel or some paper towels on a large flat plate or cutting board. Put a couple of sheets of paper towel on top. Place the block of tofu on the paper towels.

Cover the tofu: Place a paper towel on top of the tofu and another dish towel on that.

Woman placing paper towels and green cloths onto a stack of tofu.

Place heavy items on top: Put a second flat plate or cutting board on top. Place a couple of large cans of beans or tomatoes or a few heavy books (yes, you can absolutely order your own copy of The Mom 100 Cookbook or Dinner Solved!) on top of the top cutting board or plate, and let drain for about 45 minutes. Pour off the excess liquid that gets released (much of it will be absorbed into the towels), pat the tofu completely dry with fresh paper towels, and proceed with your recipe.

The Mom 100 Cookbook pressing tofu on counter.

How to Press Sliced Tofu

If you are planning to slice the tofu into slabs or rectangles for your recipe, you can cut the tofu before you press it. If you need tofu cubes, it’s better to cube the tofu after pressing it.

Prepare the tofu: Slice the tofu into 8 to 10 rectangular slices. Place a couple of dishtowels on your counter, a rimmed baking sheet, or a cutting board, then place a layer of paper towels on top.

Woman slicing tofu on a wooden cutting board.

Put in between paper towels: Set the slabs of tofu on the paper towels, then cover the top with more paper towels, then another couple of dishtowels.

Covering sliced tofu with paper towels to press out moisture.

Place heavy items on top: Place a cutting board and a few heavy books or large cans on top and let the tofu sit for 30 minutes. The dishtowels will absorb the water the tofu releases.

Woman placing large cans onto a cutting board pressing tofu.

Finish: Blot the tofu dry with fresh dishtowels or paper towels, and proceed with the recipe. Cut the tofu into cubes if needed.

Pressing Tofu with a Tofu Press

There is also such a thing as a tofu press, which many people consider to be a game changer. If you cook a lot of firm tofu, you may want to consider buying one — many are very affordable, and you can press your tofu overnight in the fridge and be amazed at how much water you are able to extract. There are different types of tofu presses, and each will come with specific instructions.

How Long Does Tofu Take to Press?

Tofu takes about 30 to 45 minutes to press. If you have placed enough pressure or weight on the tofu, after 45 minutes, as much water will be released as possible. Additional time won’t yield firmer tofu. However, if you want to press your tofu in the fridge overnight for convenience, you can do that.

What happens if you don’t press tofu before cooking it?

Do you need to press tofu? Not necessarily. Tofu is perfectly fine and safe to cook and eat without pressing out the excess liquid. But if you don’t press the tofu, it won’t brown or sear very well because of the high water content. And it’s almost impossible to get non-pressed tofu crispy. Additionally, unpressed tofu won’t be able to absorb as much flavor from a sauce or marinade. Pressing tofu allows it to absorb more flavor and prevents it from falling apart as it cooks.