You think tofu is boring and has a plain taste? Then try this tofu marinade! It’s super easy to make and it’s packed with flavor. I love serving my marinated tofu over brown rice and don’t forget to top it off with some green onions and a bit of sriracha.
When I first tried tofu years ago, I wasn’t too impressed! It didn’t taste like much and I thought I definitely don’t need it in my life. Boy, was I wrong! When prepared the right way, tofu is super versatile and it’s so delicious! My easy tofu marinade makes tofu a real star in your kitchen!
What You Need For This Tofu Marinade
- sesame oil
- soy sauce (or tamari for a gluten-free version)
- garlic
- fresh ginger
- rice vinegar
- paprika powder
- maple syrup
- red pepper flakes
- onion powder
- smoked paprika powder
As always, you can find the full ingredient list and the recipe instructions in a separate recipe box at the end of this post.
What Kind of Tofu Should I Use to Make Marinated Tofu?
To make marinated tofu, you should use firm or extra-firm tofu. It has already been pressed enough to hold its shape fairly well when you buy it.
Please do not use soft or silken tofu for this recipe. It will fall apart when pressing. Unlike firm tofu, soft or “silken” tofu is usually used for vegan sauces or mousses that are blended.
How To Press Tofu
Usually tofu is packed in water. To make crispy marinated tofu, it’s important to press most of the water out of the tofu.
If you’re a fan of tofu and make it regularly you could invest in a tofu press, which is a very easy way to press tofu.
However, you don’t necessarily need a tofu press to press tofu. You could also make your own tofu press with a few items you got at home anyways.
You can press tofu with a homemade tofu press in just four easy steps:
- Start by removing your tofu from the packaging.
- Then wrap it with a clean dishtowel. Alternatively, you could also use paper towels.
- Cover it with a baking sheet and then place something heavy on top. I usually use a stack of cookbooks. But you could also use cans of beans, a cast iron skillet, or smaller weights you use for weight lifting exercises.
- Let it press for about 10-15 minutes.
How To Marinade Tofu
While the tofu is being pressed, you can make the tofu marinade. It’s super easy to make and it’s packed with flavor!
STEP 1: Cut the garlic and the ginger into thin slices. In an airtight container or a bowl, combine all of the ingredients and whisk well.
STEP 2: After the tofu has been pressed for about 10-15 minutes, cut it into cubes. Then add it to the tofu marinade and carefully stir with a spoon until all of the tofu cubes are covered.
STEP 3: Cover the container and store it in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. If you have enough time, I recommend letting the tofu marinate overnight. This way it will be even more flavorful.
How Do You Cook Tofu After Marinating It?
Cooking the tofu after marinating it couldn’t be much easier!
All you have to do is to heat some oil in a frying pan or in a cast iron skillet.
Add the marinated tofu, but leave the rest of the tofu marinade behind (you can use it later if you want). Fry the tofu until golden brown.
How Do You Bake Tofu?
Would you like to bake your tofu instead of pan-frying it? No problem at all! It becomes even crispier this way.
Follow these easy steps:
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
- After the tofu has been marinated for at least 1-2 hours, place it in a bowl leaving the remaining tofu marinade behind.
- Add two tablespoons of corn starch (for 14 ounces of tofu). Make sure all cubes are covered in corn starch. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu cubes on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, tossing halfway.
Recipe Notes
- If you have enough time, I definitely recommend letting the tofu marinate overnight. This way it will be even more flavorful.
- Do you want to make the tofu marinade gluten-free? Then just replace the soy sauce with tamari.
- As the tofu needs some time to marinade, it’s best to plan ahead. Apart from the waiting time, the recipe couldn’t be much easier!
- If you want your tofu marinade to be a bit spicier, you can also add a bit of sriracha to the marinade.
Ways To Serve This Marinated Tofu:
There are many delicious ways to serve this marinated tofu. Here are some great ideas!
You could serve it:
- over brown rice topped with green onions and sriracha sauce
- in a vegetable stir-fry with bell pepper, broccoli, onions, beans, and mushrooms
- on a big salad (I prefer the oven-baked version in this case)
- on a sandwich with vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, and tomatoes
Other Tofu Recipes You Might Like:
- Tofu and Kale Pesto Sandwich
- Tofu Scramble
- Vegan Quiche with Asparagus and Tomatoes (made with silken tofu)
- 20 Delicious Vegan Tofu Recipes
I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS!
I hope you like this tofu marinade recipe as much as we do around here.
If you give it a try, I’d love to know what you think about it. Just leave me a comment and a star rating below. Your comments really make my day!
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Sina
Tofu Marinade
Ingredients
- 14 oz firm or extra-firm tofu
For the tofu marinade:
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 4 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 inch piece ginger
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Start by pressing your tofu. Remove the tofu from the packaging.Then wrap it with a clean dishtowel. Alternatively, you could also use paper towels.Cover with a baking sheet and then place something heavy on top. I usually use a stack of cookbooks. But you could also use cans of beans, a cast iron skillet, or smaller weights you use for weight lifting exercises. Let it press for about 10-15 minutes.
- In the meantime, make the tofu marinade. Cut the garlic and the ginger into thin slices. In an airtight container or a bowl, combine all of the ingredients and whisk well.
- After the tofu has been pressed for about 10-15 minutes, cut it into cubes. Then add it to the tofu marinade and carefully stir with a spoon until all of the tofu cubes are covered.
- Cover the container and store it in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours. If you have enough time, I recommend letting the tofu marinate overnight. This way it will be even more flavorful.
- To pan-fry the marinated tofu:Heat some oil in a frying pan or in a cast iron skillet.Add the marinated tofu, but leave the rest of the tofu marinade behind (you can use it later if you want). Fry the tofu until golden brown.
- How to bake the marinated tofu:Preheat your oven to 350 °F. After the tofu has been marinated for at least 1-2 hours, place it in a bowl leaving the remaining tofu marinade behind.Add two tablespoons of corn starch (for 14 ounces of tofu). Make sure all cubes are covered in corn starch. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the tofu cubes on top.Bake for 25 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Serve over brown rice and sprinkle with chopped green onions. I also like to add a bit of sriracha on top.
Notes
- If you have enough time, I definitely recommend letting the tofu marinate overnight. This way it will be even more flavorful.
- Do you want to make the tofu marinade gluten-free? Then just replace the soy sauce with tamari.
- As the tofu needs some time to marinade, it's best to plan ahead. Apart from the waiting time, the recipe couldn't be much easier!
- If you want your tofu marinade to be a bit spicier, you can also add a bit of sriracha to the marinade.
This is this best ever! Thank you!