Easy marinated tofu, a super simple recipe that makes tofu tastes amazing. It’s low in fat, high in protein and only requires 8 ingredients and 20 minutes.
Tofu is probably the most popular meat substitute in vegan recipes, so when I went plant-based, I decided to try it for the first time. I was so excited, but I didn’t like it at all. Fortunately and after so many tries, I finally fell in love with tofu and it’s actually one of my favorite ingredients at the moment.
We’ve shared many tofu recipes on the blog, but this is really simple, so it’s great if you’re cooking tofu for the first time or if you’re just looking for something super tasty and easy to make. We usually serve it with some rice and veggies, it’s a super healthy and nutritious meal!
You just need to marinate the tofu for 15 minutes, but if you’re in a hurry, you could even sautée the diced tofu (using some oil or not, you choose) and then add the sauce. If you let it marinate longer, maybe 30 minutes or even overnight, it will taste even better, but the tofu will absorb more liquid, so if you want more sauce, just make some more in a minute.
LOOKING FOR MORE TOFU RECIPES?
- Buffalo tofu wings
- General Tso’s tofu
- Korean style spice tofu
- Tofu stir fry with rice and veggies
- Roasted veggies and baked tofu with quinoa
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment below, share it, rate it or tag a picture @simpleveganblog on Instagram and hashtag it #simpleveganblog. We’d love to see what you cook!
Easy Marinated Tofu
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- 2 1x
Servings 2 1x
Easy marinated tofu, a super simple recipe that makes tofu tastes amazing. It’s low in fat, high in protein and only requires 8 ingredients and 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 10 oz firm tofu (275 g), diced
- 1/4 cup water (65 ml)
- 2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne powder
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- Chopped chives (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the marinade ingredients in a baking dish or a mixing bowl (water, tamari or soy sauce, vinegar, syrup, garlic powder and cayenne powder) until well combined. Add the diced tofu and let it marinate, covered in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. If you let it marinate longer, it will have a more intense flavor.
- Strain the tofu, but don’t discard the liquid.
- Sautée the tofu in a frying pan until golden brown. You can add some oil or not, it’s up to you.
- Add the marinade liquid to a bowl with the cornstarch and mix until well combined. Pour the sauce into the frying pan and cook until it thickens.
- Serve and garnish with some chopped chives (optional).
- Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4 to 5 days.
Notes
- Prep and cook time don’t include marinate time.
- Feel free to use any type of vinegar, sweetener or spice.
- Cornstarch can be replace by any other starch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe (without the oil and chives)
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 7.5 g
- Sodium: 1024 mg
- Fat: 5.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.4 g
- Fiber: 1.6 g
- Protein: 13.4 g
One of my favorite recipes ever, and I’d recommend it to literally anyone trying to make tofu delicious with little to no effort. While the recipe involves pan frying the tofu, in my experience it also works perfectly fine if you deep fry or air fry the tofu (375 F for 15 minutes for the latter method, flipping halfway).
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Another good one! I stopped at the frying and kept the tofu marinating in a jar.
It is served with a couple of generous spoonfuls of my special Rice (brown, glutinous, and black) and Peas recipe. Heat up in the microwave and add dollops of Sweet Chili Sauce. Good at breakfast, lunch or dinner.
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Hi Frank! So glad you liked it 🙂
please take the time to learn about how microwaves affect the structure and frequency of the foods – if you value your health and longevity you’ll give it up as I did and thousands of people who’ve I encouraged to ask the questions and to responsibly seek the answers
Delicious appetizer recipe! I added garlic salt in the mix and taste great. Definitely keep this recipe handy.
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Hi Novem! Thanks a lot 🙂
I like fried tofu and bought an ‘air fryer’ to hopefully make it easier.
My first air-fried drained tofu looked and tasted like leather, so I found this and tried it by first draining the tofu overnight on a stack of paper towels, then cutting it up in the package and marinating it overnight in maple syrup, apple cider vinegar and soy sauce. Total difference! Tastes great!
Thanks for this great recipe.
Hi Ken! Thank YOU for your comment 🙂
I had to make a few alterations since I didn’t have some of the ingredients but it turned out really well! This is the first tofu recipe that has worked for me! (I think I usually just don’t have the patience to fiddle around with it, but this was super easy!)
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Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed it 🙂 We have tons of tofu recipes on the blog, you should give them a try!
This is fantastic! We are vegetarian-curious so we’ve been trying to find protein-packed recipes online (we weight train, so protein intake is very important.) This was easy, fast, and delicious! We skipped the marinade, subbed out the syrup for multi-floral clover honey, and subbed the apple cider vinegar with rice vinegar instead. Definitely tastes amazing still.
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Hi Regina! Thanks a lot 🙂 SO glad you liked it!
Excellent recipe.. really enjoyed it. Even hubby could not believe it was tofu.. usually he does not like it! thanks
Hi Doraine! I’m so happy to read that 🙂
Was hungry for a quick snack and still had some tofu at home. Of coure I didn’t want to wait to long, so I barely let it sit in the marinade for 15 minutes and it’s already delicious. Must be even better after standing overnight. Love it.
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Hi Kirsten! So glad you liked it 🙂
We are not vegans or vegetarians, but we loved this dish. It was easy to make with items I already had around the house. I’ve printed the recipe and we will definitely make it again.
Hi Mike! I’m so happy to hear that 🙂
This recipe was so simple and so tasty! I will definitely be making it again!
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Hi Rachel! Thank you so much 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
This is my go-to tofu marinade when I make Buddha bowls. Everyone loves it! I marinate the tofu right in the frying pan that I cook it in.
★★★★★
Hi Andrea! I’m so happy to hear that 🙂 Have a nice day!
Love this recipe. I use it regularly for tofu and usually make a big batch, leaving the tofu marinating in the fridge – tastes even better after a day or so
★★★★★
Hi ZJ! Thanks a lot 🙂 SO glad you like it!
Thanks. This is so easy to make, and delicious. I’ll be making it regularly.
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Hi Stacey! Great 🙂 You’re so welcome!
i bought medium instead of firm tofu can I still use for this recipe or start with a new block?
Hi Andrea! I’ve never tried it myself and I haven’t used medium tofu either. If it’s not too soft, you could try 🙂
This recipe is very easy to make! And quick, and very delicious!
Hi Celeste! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Its a delicious recipe simple and affordable and healthy. Thank you for sharing it
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Hi Analou! Thank YOU for your comment 🙂
Very nice indeed:) I substituted almond meal for the corn starch and it worked very well.
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Hi Judy! SO glad you liked it 🙂
Iosune, Thanks for this. I thoroughly enjoyed this; it is very highly health enriching.
I have no problem with the ads because I know they are needed. Though I am not speaking for our friend, Janelle. May be her problem is akin to mine – looking for the recipe for making tofu itself from wheat grains to start with. That is what I was looking for before I ended up in your website, which is a good thing, like Columbus going to India and ending up in America. I have been buying tofu from several sources for a long time. I want to be in a position I can make it myself, whenever I have the time to do so.
Please kindly help and I am so sorry to bother you. Thanks.
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Hi Adebayo! I’m so sorry, but I don’t have a recipe for making tofu from scratch and I haven’t made it myself. Have a nice day!
OMG! This is so good! Just started eating a plant based diet, and I was a little skeptical about tofu… I decided to try this recipe because it says ‘Easy’ (haha) and I loved it! My husband and son also loved it, and they’re not even as committed as I am to not eating animal based food.
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Hi Carolina! Thanks a lot 🙂 SO glad you guys loved it!
Thank you for this recipe! A few days ago I tried to make it and it was amazing! I like healthy food and it’s important for me that tofu is rich in protein.
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Hi Joshua! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you liked it!
Hey all,
I got medium tofu instead of hard
Do I drain it to make it hard of just try recipe as is?
Hi Andre! I would drain it carefully 🙂
Loved this! Very new to using tofu, still trying to figure it out. I did use oil, but think I will try without next time. Can you tell me-are you always supposed to drain/ dry the tofu before using, or can I rely on recipes to say so if needed?
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Hi Marion! Thanks a lot 🙂 I hardly ever press or dry the tofu, but it’s up to you…
These recipes are fantastic! Tofu can be tasty too 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Sagar! Thanks a lot 🙂
This was AMAZING! Tofu nation:) thank you for posting
Hi Sandee! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!
Not a big fan of tofu but marinade/sauce made it better. I´ll definitely try it again later.
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Hi Filip! So glad you liked it 🙂
Simply love this marinated version of tofu. Big eater of tofu lover.
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Hi Sophie! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you loved it!
I can’t find the recipe and content of your site due to all the ads that pop up/are dancing and jumping all over the content. I would like to visit your site to be inspired. But your inspiration is hiding under a barrage of consumerism.
Hi Janelle! I’m so sorry, but our blog is our job and we need the ads to continue our work. Besides, the content is free, so I think is pretty fair. However, we want to reduce the number, so thanks for your comment!