Food Lens Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Food Lens · Recipe ingredients
Tofu
Mild and neutral on its own, with a faint beany undertone; absorbs surrounding flavors from marinades, sauces, and aromatics readily.
Lens analyzedTofu is pressed soybean curd made by coagulating fresh soy milk and forming the curds into white blocks. It comes in textures ranging from silken to extra-firm, each suited to different cooking techniques.
Where it comes from
Tofu originated in China over two thousand years ago and spread throughout East and Southeast Asia as an everyday protein. Now a fixture in North American supermarkets, it is sold in silken, soft, firm, and extra-firm textures suited to everything from smoothies to stir-fries.
Buying it
Choose the firmness based on use: silken for smoothies and desserts, soft for soups, firm or extra-firm for stir-fries and grilling. Look for a clean, neutral smell and a sell-by date with plenty of time remaining.
Storing it
Store unopened packages in the refrigerator. Once opened, submerge in fresh cold water in a sealed container and refrigerate, changing the water daily; use within 3–5 days.
Keeps about 7 days in the fridge.
Out of tofu? Good swaps
General cooking guidance — always check the labels on the products you use. Listahan’s allergen checks run automatically when you plan a recipe in the app. Not medical advice.
Recipes that use tofu
Common questions about tofu
Is tofu vegan?
Tofu is generally plant-based and suitable for a vegan diet, but brands differ — confirm on the label.
What can I use instead of tofu?
Good swaps include Tempeh, Paneer. Each behaves a little differently — see the swaps above for notes, and always check labels for allergens.
How do I store tofu?
Store unopened packages in the refrigerator. Once opened, submerge in fresh cold water in a sealed container and refrigerate, changing the water daily; use within 3–5 days. It keeps about 7 days in the fridge.
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Make tofu about your kitchen — with Listahan Pro
Everything above is free, forever. Pro adds the Household Lens — the same food, seen for your family:
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Checked for each member
Flags tofu per person against your household's allergies and school rules — not just a generic "contains" tag.
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Pantry-aware
Knows whether you already have it, what is running low, and the best swap from what is in your kitchen tonight.
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What it costs near you
A real price from the Presyo community index, so you can plan the budget — not guess.
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Your household memory
Who likes it, plus your own private notes — brand, where you keep it, who skips it.
Allergen safety is always free — Pro adds the automation, never the safety.
Cook with tofu — safely
Plan a recipe in Listahan and the household allergen check runs automatically — every plan, every swap, every lunchbox. Safety is never paywalled.