tofu

noun

to·​fu ˈtō-(ˌ)fü 

: a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants (such as magnesium chloride or diluted acids) : bean curd

… tofu is our most versatile form of nonanimal concentrated protein, as well as the least processed and the most traditional.

—Mark Bittman

The tofu … was sliced uniformly and stacked neatly in the bowl of clear, seafood-flavored broth.

—Karen Hayes

Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. Supermarkets carry packaged convenience foods like tofu hot dogs …

—Norine Dworkin

Examples of tofu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Childs uses vital wheat gluten to make most of the protein-rich meat substitutes, but ingredients like tofu and hearts of palm are also used. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025

Unfermented soy products include soy milk, edamame, and tofu. —Jessica Swirble, Verywell Health, 20 Oct. 2025

That means a 140-pound adult only needs about 53 grams of protein per day, an amount easily reached with a cup of Greek yogurt and a chicken breast, or a serving of tofu with beans. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025

These include eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, tempeh, nuts, nut butters, and seeds. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Japanese tōfu

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tofu

noun

to·​fu ˈtō-fü 

: a soft food product prepared by coagulating soybean milk

called also bean curd