is silken tofu gluten free – gluten free tofu brands
Is silken tofu gluten free
SHORT ANSWER: Yes! Silken tofu should be gluten-free, but that’s not guaranteed. HOWEVER…although soy products are gluten-free by nature, they are huge culprits for becoming cross contaminated with gluten on an agricultural and processing level….aka when the soy beans for tofu are grown or when soy beans are turned into tofu, cross contamination with gluten could happen if the proper precautions aren’t taken. So if you are super sensitive to gluten, you want to make sure the silken tofu brand you are consuming is certified gluten free or have taken the proper steps to guarantee cross contamination did not take place.
What is tofu
Tofu is an AMAZING plant-based protein that is super popular in many cuisines around the world, especially in Thailand, Korea, Japan, China, and throughout Southeast Asia. If you follow a plant-based diet of any sort, chances are you have come across tofu as well. If you haven’t had the pleasure of consuming tofu or are unsure what it is exactly, here’s a little bit about it.
Tofu, also known as bean curd, is made from soy beans…more specifically, fresh soy milk. To transform soy milk into tofu, soy milk is curdled, pressed into a solid block, then cooled. This process results in a dense, yet soft block of tofu!
Silken Tofu is unprocessed and undrained tofu. When making silken tofu, the soy is not curdled. This results in a super soft, silky version of tofu.
So is silken tofu gluten free since it made of soy beans? Technically it should be since there are not grains in tofu. But processed with caution and check the label of the tofu you are using. When growing soy beans and turning them into tofu, cross contamination with gluten can happen.
What does silken tofu taste like?
Tofu can be described as relatively tasteless, which makes it the perfect ingredients to transform into an endless amount of cuisines! Basically it will take on the flavor of whatever you season and cook it with, making tofu incredibly versatile.
Flavor is not the only aspect of tofu that can be easily transformed, tofu’s texture can be altered as well. Tofu untouched has a firm, yet soft texture. But, when you cook tofu you can make it super crispy, dense, crumbled, soft, or even silky.
Tofu can be transformed in to a vegan, meat-like protein. When you crumble and season tofu properly you can transform it in a plant-based version of eggs, known as tofu scramble. Silken tofu, the softest version of tofu, is perfect for making desserts, spreads, and sauces.
If you have had tofu in the past and didn’t care for it, don’t give up! As mentioned above, tofu can take on many flavors and textures. Just because you didn’t like a way it was prepared doesn’t mean you won’t LOVE it if it’s prepared differently! Keep an open mind and keep trying. After all tofu is good for you!
What are the health benefits of tofu?
Tofu is an amazing addition to your diet and is popular in many cuisines around the world…and for good reason! Most popularly, tofu is known as a great source of complete protein. Tofu is rich in many nutrients in fact, including manganese, iron, calcium, and vitamin A.
Tofu may also help manage cholesterol levels, support heart health, and support bone healthy. Tofu is also believed to help lift your mood and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
List of gluten free tofu brands (is silken tofu gluten free)
Is silken tofu gluten free? Yes…but check the label. Silken tofu SHOULD be gluten-free, since it is not made from grains. HOWEVER, silken tofu could be cross contaminated with gluten when being grown or processed, so it is not guaranteed to be a gluten-free food. Therefore, if you are super sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease, be sure to choose a brand of tofu that is actually gluten-free! Luckily there are many brands of tofu that take the extra steps to ensure their tofu is actually gluten-free. I personally like to make sure my tofu is also organic and non-gmo as well.
Here is a following list of gluten free tofu brands.
- Nasoya Tofu
- Morinaga Silken Tofu
- Azumaya Tofu
- House Foods Tofu
- Small Planet Organics Tofu
- Hodo
How to use silken tofu
We already answered the question ” is silken tofu gluten free ” . Now that we know what brands of silken tofu are gluten free, it’s time to discuss how to actually use silken tofu.
Silken tofu may seem a bit intimidating, but it’s actually super versatile and very easy to use!
Blend Silken Tofu
The easiest way to use silken tofu is just to blend it! You can take silken tofu right out of the container, skip the pots and pans, and just toss it right in the blender.
No, you do not just want to blend tofu and eat it plain. But tofu, because it is tasteless and provides a smooth, creamy texture when blended, is the perfect addition to many blended dishes. You can make tasty spreads, dips, vegan cream cheese, dressings, or vegan cremas with silken tofu. Or you can toss silken tofu in your smoothie to add extra protein!
Silken tofu can also be blended into baked goods or pancakes as an excellent egg substitute.
COOK SILKEN TOFU
You can also cook silken tofu. When you cook silken tofu, you can turn it into a delicious scramble. It’s soft, fluffy texture is perfect for mimicking egg when seasoned correctly.
You can also chop silken tofu into tiny cubes and add it to your miso soup.
Blend and cook silken tofu
When you blend AND cook silken tofu you can make wonderful sauces or creamy soups. Silken tofu’s creamy consistency when blended makes it the perfect plant-based, protein packed substitute for heavy cream! Blend your silken tofu to add to a vodka sauce, Alfredo sauce, or creamy bisque.
Fry silken tofu
Although firm tofu is often the go-to when it comes to fried tofu, silken tofu is actually perfect for this cooking method as well! You can in fact toss silken tofu in a deep fryer. The results are fantastic! A crispy outside and a lovely, smooth inside…yum! Top that baby off with the right sauce and you will be drooling. Just be gentle when pulling silken tofu in and out of the deep fryer because it is soft and fragile.
Make Silken tofu into dessert
Silken tofu can help satisfy anyones sweet tooth in a healthier way because it is also perfect for dessert! Blend silken tofu into the base of a cream pie, turn it into a chocolate avocado mousse topped with chocolate chips, or make the perfect, dairy free tiramisu, pudding or custard!
