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1What are soya chunks?
2How do you prepare soya chunks?
3Do you need to boil soya chunks?
4How can I add more flavor to soya chunks without using oil?
5How can you use soya chunks in a dish?
6Can you cook dry soya chunks?
7Can you add dry soya chunks to recipes?
8What is a simple oil-free recipe for soya chunks?
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Reviewed byMarrow Private Chefs
Last Updated: April 10, 2024Fact Checked
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If you’re looking to replace some of your animal sources of protein, or if you just want a simple way to add more protein to a dish, soya chunks may be exactly what you’re looking for. They’re essentially fat-free, chock-full of fiber, and loaded with healthy plant-based protein. They’re also super easy to cook and you don't need any oil to make them tasty and delicious. To make it simple for you, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions that people have about how to cook soya chunks without using oil.
Question 1 of 8:
What are soya chunks?
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Soya chunks are made out of soy flour. After the oil is extracted from harvested soybeans through a process known as de-fatting, the leftover byproduct is essentially pure soy flour, which is nutritious and loaded with protein. The flour is then dried and forms into pieces or chunks that can be stored until they’re ready to be used in a recipe.[1]
- Also known as textured vegetable protein (TVP), soya chunks are often used in vegetarian or vegan recipes as a meat substitute.
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Question 2 of 8:
How do you prepare soya chunks?
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1
Boil the soya chunks in water for 2-3 minutes until they’re soft. Dried soya chunks are tough and hard, but they’re super easy to rehydrate so they’re nice and soft. Fill a pot with 4 cups (950mL) of water and bring it to a boil. Add in about 2 cups (192 grams) of soya chunks and allow them to boil for a few minutes until they expand and soften.[2]
2
Rinse the chunks in cold water and squeeze out the extra liquid. Soya chunks can have a strong odor once they’re rehydrated, so run them under a cold tap to cool them down and help remove the smell. Once they’re nice and cool, squeeze out the extra liquid a handful at a time until you’re left with rehydrated chunks that are ready to use![3]
- You can use the soya chunks as is or mince them into smaller pieces if you prefer.
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Question 3 of 8:
Do you need to boil soya chunks?
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No, you can soak them in a bowl with hot water for 20 minutes. Simply fill a large bowl or pot with hot water and pour your soya chunks into it. Cover the top with a lid or something like a plate to help retain the heat. After about 20 minutes, check the soya chunks to see if they’re expanded and soft. You can then run them under cold water and squeeze out the excess liquid.[4]
- If they aren’t soft and expanded, give them another 5 minutes and then check them again.
Question 4 of 8:
How can I add more flavor to soya chunks without using oil?
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You can marinate them to infuse them with flavors. Make a simple marinade by mixing together 1 tablespoon (6.39 grams) of Tandoori Masala powder, 1 teaspoon (2.71 grams) of red chili powder, 1 teaspoon (1.69 grams) of coriander powder, 1 teaspoon (1.69 grams) of garam masala powder, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of ginger paste, and some salt. Soak the rehydrated soya chunks in the marinade overnight or for at least 8 hours so they soak up all of the tasty flavorings.[5]
- Soya chunks don’t have much of a flavor on their own, but you can soak them in any type of marinade that you like and they’ll take on the flavor of the ingredients you use.
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Question 5 of 8:
How can you use soya chunks in a dish?
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You can add soya chunks to basically anything! They’re incredibly versatile and take on the flavor of the dish you add them to.[6] You can use them like you would use meat in a dish. Add them to a stew or sauce, grill them, or bake them.
- Try adding them to a tomato paste sauce for a simple, savory dish![7]
- You can also cut up the soya chunks into smaller pieces and mix them with a curd (like cottage cheese), onion, tomato, salt, and pepper to make a “tuna” salad.
Question 6 of 8:
Can you cook dry soya chunks?
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No, you need to rehydrate them first. Dried soya chunks are really hard and can crumble if you try to use them raw. They need to be rehydrated so they can expand and soften into tasty chunks you can use in a variety of recipes. It’s also super easy to rehydrate them, so it’s worth it![8]
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Question 7 of 8:
Can you add dry soya chunks to recipes?
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Yes, you can add them directly into recipes with a lot of liquid. If you’re making something like a chili or a stew, you don’t need to soak or boil the soya chunks first. You can simply drop them into the dish and they’ll soak up all of the delicious flavors and juices. It’s an easy way to add more protein without having to use oil to flavor the soya chunks.[9]
Question 8 of 8:
What is a simple oil-free recipe for soya chunks?
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Make a simple tomato, green pea, and ginger masala. Puree 2 tomatoes and add them to a pan with just enough water to thin them out. Then, add peas, ginger paste, salt, and some red chili powder (if you want some heat). Let the sauce come to a simmer and let it cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes so it thickens up. Then, mix in your soya chunks and enjoy this simple masala dish![10]
- You can also add green chilis, onion, and garlic to your tomato puree for even more flavor!
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Tips
Think of soya chunks like cooked ground beef. You can add them to pretty much all of the same dishes!
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References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D-dC0zmZwI
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGlNab8CF9g
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBMTeUV8TtU
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGlNab8CF9g&t=29s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlIP5Q5M5-g
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D-dC0zmZwI&t=8s
- ↑ https://youtu.be/RJ__OG5qnsc?t=39
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D-dC0zmZwI&t=8s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OgFsJTw6H4
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About This Article
![8 Simple Ways to Cook Soya Chunks Without Oil - wikiHow (30) 8 Simple Ways to Cook Soya Chunks Without Oil - wikiHow (30)](https://i0.wp.com/www.wikihow.com/images/thumb/4/40/Marrow_Private-Chefs.png/-crop-100-100-100px-Marrow_Private-Chefs.png)
Reviewed by:
Marrow Private Chefs
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This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 72,859 times.
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Co-authors: 8
Updated: April 10, 2024
Views:72,859
Categories: Food and Entertaining
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