The Difference Between Silken And Regular Tofu - The Spruce Eats

Skip to Content Silken Tofu vs Regular Tofu: Key Differences and Uses

Explore tofu types to enhance your recipes with variety, texture, and flavor differences

By Jolinda Hackett Jolinda Hackett Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process Updated on 06/17/25 Close

There are two main kinds of tofu: silken and regular. Silken tofu, also called soft, silk, or Japanese-style tofu, has a softer consistency than regular tofu and will fall apart if not handled carefully. You may notice that silken tofu, unlike regular tofu, is sometimes packaged in aseptic boxes, which do not require refrigeration. As a result, silken tofu is often found in a different section of grocery stores than regular tofu, which is packed in water and requires refrigeration.

We Tested the Best Tofu Presses and These 5 Came Out on Top

Both silken and regular tofu can be found in soft, medium, firm, and extra-firm consistencies. While they are made with the same ingredients, they undergo slightly different processing and are not interchangeable in a recipe.

Silken Tofu

Most recipes will specify when silken tofu is needed. Generally, the different types of silken tofu are interchangeable, so don't worry if your grocer only stocks one kind.

Salad dressings, sauces, and desserts usually use blended or pureed silken tofu for a thick and creamy texture, serving as a stand-in for everything from soy milk to cream. Blended up, silken tofu makes a suitable substitute for dairy in many vegan dessert recipes, keeping sweets lower in fat and calories with little loss of flavor.

Silken tofu in an aseptic container has a shelf life of up to a year when unopened. Once opened, submerge any unused portion in water within a container, cover it, and refrigerate for up to a week.

Silken tofu crumbles very easily. It is not recommended that you press silken tofu; only regular or firm tofu needs to be pressed. Use a very gentle hand when carefully slicing silken tofu, as it may otherwise fall apart.

Regular Tofu

Regular tofu, also called Chinese-style tofu or bean curd, is more common than silken tofu and is typically found in plastic containers in the refrigerated or produce section of most grocery stores. There is little difference between firm and extra-firm tofu, so try both to see which you prefer. Firm or extra-firm regular tofu is best used in stir-fries, making baked tofu, or any dish where you need the tofu to retain its shape.

For recipes that call for crumbled or mashed tofu, such as a vegan ricotta cheese or scrambled tofu, firm tofu will work just fine, though medium or soft tofu will have a smoother consistency.

The 7 Main Types of Tofu And How to Cook With Them Explore More:

• Recipes By Diet
• Vegetarian & Vegan Food
• Vegetarian Tofu Recipes

What Is Tofu? Vegan Cornmeal Breaded Tofu Recipe 22 mins Ratings What Is Tofurky? Scrambled Tofu With Cheese 20 mins Ratings Vegan Tofu Frosting 5 mins Ratings Vegan Baked Korean BBQ Tofu Recipe 35 mins Ratings Vegan Tofu Whipped Cream 5 mins Ratings What Are Soybeans? Marinated Tofu Jerky 4 hrs Ratings Vegan Crock Pot Barbecue Tofu Recipe 5 hrs Ratings How to Grill Tofu 10-Minute Tofu Enchiladas Recipe 35 mins Ratings Deep-Fried Tofu 25 mins Ratings Edible Mushroom Varieties Punjabi Sarson Ka Saag 47 mins Ratings Tofu 'Ricotta' Cheese 10 mins Ratings