Silken Tofu with Onions and Garlic. Chilled silky tofu garnished with a flavourful Chinese sesame soy onion sauce. Easy to make in 10 minutes! Great as a main dish or side dish. This recipe is also vegan-friendly.
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What is Silken Tofu with Onion and Garlic?
This easy and simple recipe features delicious silken tofu garnished with onions cooked in a sesame soy sauce. It's a flavorful tofu dish that originates from China. What makes this recipe so easy is that the silken tofu requires no cooking at all! Just whip it out of the fridge, cook the onions with the sauce and serve it over the chilled tofu! The taste of the warm savory sauce over the chilled tofu creates a wonderful contrast of textures and temperatures in your mouth. I love making this dish when I don't feel like eating meat or when I want something light for dinner. I usually pair this vegan dish with white rice and more veggies.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to the below recipe card for full measurements
- Chilled silken tofu or sub with soft tofu: opt for the kind that comes in a square container where the tofu is sticking to the box. Or substitute with silken tofu in tube form and slice into rounds. Medium tofu is a last resort substitute. Avoid using dessert silken tofu as it's flavored.
Sauce:
- White onion
- Green onion
- Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice.
- Garlic
- Vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- Sesame oil
- Sugar
Optional garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Green onion
How to make Silken Tofu with Onion and Garlic
Open Chilled Silken Tofu
Carefully peel away a corner of the plastic seal on the silken tofu package.
Drain Excess Liquid in Tofu Package
Hold the tofu in place and turn it upside down to drain the excess liquid over the sink. Place the tofu over a paper towel to soak up the liquid.
Transfer Tofu to a Serving Plate
Next place a plate over top of the tofu package turning it over to transfer the tofu onto the plate.
Sauté Onions
In a small pot set over medium heat, add oil followed by white onion, green onion and garlic. Sauté for until onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
Add Seasoning
Lower heat to low flame. Pour in the soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil and mix in with onions and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
Serve Sauce Over Tofu
Pour the sauce over the silken tofu. Optional: garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!
Storage
It should last 1-3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge. This dish doesn't require reheating unless you prefer it warm.
Expert Tips
- Source Fresh Onions. Since the main aromatics of this dish are the green and yellow onions, make sure they are fresh and vibrant. Look for dark green onions and yellow onions with the skin intact.
- Make Sure it's Silken Tofu. There are many types of tofu available in the store. From extra firm to medium to soft. Make sure to choose the one that says "Silken" on the package label.
- Check the Expiry Label. This should go without saying but I can't tell you the number of times I've seen expired tofu being sold.
- Chop Onions Finely. By chopping these ingredients finely, it'll make for a more pleasant sauce texture.
- Cook Onions until Translucent. If you don't cook the onions down until they are soft and translucent, you'll be biting into crunchy onions.
FAQ
Is silken tofu the same as firm tofu or regular tofu?
No. Silken tofu has a very silky texture. You barely have to chew it and it is also used in Asian desserts as well!
Can I use extra-firm tofu or regular tofu?
No, I wouldn't recommend it as the texture is quite dense.
How do I remove the tofu from the container?
Here's a great way to remove the tofu from the container:
- Carefully peel away a corner of plastic film
- Strain out the excess water using the plastic to keep the tofu from spilling out.
- Use a clean paper towels to soak up any water.
- Then place a plate with a flat surface over the tofu and turn it over.
- Gently remove the plastic container.
Note: This type of tofu is very delicate so be careful when moving or touching the tofu, as it can easily break apart.
Other tofu recipes you may like!
- ASIAN BREADED TOFU NUGGETS
- CHINESE SALT & PEPPER TOFU
- SWEET AND STICKY TOFU
- VEGAN KIMCHI TOFU STEW
- SWEET SOY TOFU & VEGETABLES
- TOFU KATSU
📖 Recipe
10-min. Easy Chinese Silken Tofu
Ingredients
- 300 g silken tofu or sub with soft tofu
Sauce:
- ⅔ cup yellow onion finely diced
- ½ cup green onion finely chopped
- 3 tablespoon regular soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1.5 tablespoon avocado oil or any neutral tasting oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
Optional:
- ¼ teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon green onion finely chopped
Instructions
- Carefully peel away a corner of the plastic seal on the silken tofu package. Hold the tofu in place and turn it upside down to drain the excess liquid over the sink. Place the tofu over a paper towel to soak up the liquid.
- Next place a plate over top of the tofu package turning it over to transfer the tofu onto the plate.
- In a small pot set over medium heat, add oil followed by white onion, green onion and garlic. Sauté for until onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Lower heat to low flame. Pour in the soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil and mix in with onions and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Pour the sauce over the silken tofu. Optional: garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!
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Ivy
Wow I've never tried tofu like this but it was so delicious and very easy to make.
Sherri
Christie, I am drooling over this creative silken tofu recipe! So much flavor! 🙂
Heidi | The Frugal Girls
15 minutes total prep and no bake... I am loving this for an easy weeknight dinner! And your flavors are so so tasty good. Yum!!
Alex
This is such a wonderful way to enjoy tofu - the flavours work so well!
Anne
The tofu was very good and the recipe was easy.
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe Anne! Glad you enjoyed it!
Frankie
I could eat this forever. Simple to make and simply delicious! I am so glad I found your recipe.
christieathome
Thank you so much for your kind words Frankie! I am so happy you liked it.
Paula
I love making this because it’s so simple thank you for sharing!
christieathome
Thank you so much Paula! I am so glad you that you enjoy it 🙂 Sometimes less is more isn't it!
Thyagie Gunawardhana
i liked it very much.🙏
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe! So happy you liked it!