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    Home > Recipes > Tofu

    Easy Marinated Tofu

    Published: Mar 21, 2018 · Modified: Apr 6, 2023 by Iosune · This post may contain affiliate links · 202 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Overview of a dish with marinated tofu garnished with chopped chives and the text easy marinated tofu.
    Marinated tofu cubes in a dish with some chopped chives on top and the text easy marinated tofu.

    Quick and easy marinated tofu with 9 ingredients in just 30 minutes. Add a flavorful and healthy plant-based protein source to any dish!

    Marinated tofu cubes in a dish with some chopped chives on top.

    If you're new to cooking with tofu, this recipe is a great place to start! It's easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

    This tofu marinade adds a delicious flavor that complements the natural nuttiness of the tofu, and the texture becomes tender on the inside and crispy on the outside when cooked.

    Looking for more ways to enjoy tofu? Check out the blog for a variety of delicious tofu recipes, including fan favorites like General Tso's tofu and baked tofu.

    Jump to:
    • 🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🧾 Ingredients (with substitutions)
    • 📋 Variations
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍽 Serving suggestions
    • ❄️ Storage
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • ❓Recipe FAQs
    • 🌱 More tofu recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    🌟 Why you'll love this recipe

    1. The marinade adds a delicious flavor to the tofu, making it much more exciting than plain tofu.
    2. The recipe is quick and easy, with only 9 simple ingredients and just 30 minutes of cook time.
    3. Tofu is a great plant-based source of protein, making it a healthy addition to any meal.
    4. It can be used in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to tacos, salads to sandwiches.
    5. Tofu is a budget-friendly vegan protein source and an affordable alternative to meat, so it's great if you're on a budget.

    🧾 Ingredients (with substitutions)

    Ingredients need to make marinated tofu.

    Tofu

    This protein-packed ingredient serves as the base for this marinated tofu recipe, providing a satisfying texture and subtle flavor.

    Firm or extra-firm tofu work best for marinated tofu. Soft or silken tofu is not a good choice as it will fall apart easily.

    Water

    I use water to thin out the marinade and help it coat the tofu evenly.

    I always go for tap water, but any type of water will do, even sparkling water. Vegetable stock can also be a good choice.

    Soy sauce

    This umami-rich sauce adds a savory depth of flavor to the marinade, and its saltiness helps to balance out the sweetness of the maple syrup.

    Instead of soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free alternative or coconut aminos, which is soy-free, or some salt to taste. However, I prefer to use soy sauce.

    Apple cider vinegar

    A splash of apple cider vinegar adds a tangy acidity to the marinade, which helps to brighten up the overall flavor profile.

    Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use another type of vinegar like white or rice vinegar, or even lemon juice.

    Maple syrup

    This natural sweetener lends a subtle sweetness to the marinade, which helps to balance out the salty soy sauce and tangy apple cider vinegar.

    Other syrups also will do, like agave or coconut syrup, or even sugar. However, I prefer to use a liquid sweetener to get the best consistency for the marinade.

    Garlic powder

    The addition of garlic powder adds a delicious savory flavor to the marinade, making the tofu taste even more irresistible.

    It can be replaced with onion powder. You could omit it if you want or even use minced fresh garlic.

    Cayenne pepper

    For those who like it hot, the cayenne pepper adds a fiery heat to the marinade that complements the other flavors.

    Cornstarch

    I use cornstarch as a thickener for the marinade, helping it to cling to the tofu and form a crispy crust when cooked.

    It can be replaced with arrowroot powder, or pretty much any type of starch you have on hand.

    Oil

    The use of high-quality extra virgin olive oil when cooking the marinated tofu adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish.

    However, you can use a different type of oil, such as vegetable, canola, sunflower, or avocado oil.

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    📋 Variations

    Here are some variations you can try with this marinated tofu recipe:

    • Extra spicy marinated tofu: Add more cayenne pepper or some chili flakes to the marinade for a spicy kick.
    • Asian-style marinated tofu: Swap out the apple cider vinegar for rice vinegar and add some grated ginger and chopped scallions to the marinade.
    • Citrus marinated tofu: Use lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar and add some zest to the marinade for a bright, citrusy flavor.
    • Smoky marinated tofu: Add some smoked paprika or liquid smoke to the marinade for a smoky flavor.
    • Sweet and savory marinated tofu: Increase the amount of maple syrup in the marinade and add some chopped fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for a sweet and savory combination.

    🔪 Instructions

    The marinade ingredients mixed in a small bowl.

    Step 1: Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined.

    Tofu cubes in a shallow dish with the marinade liquid.

    Step 2: Transfer the marinade liquid to a shallow dish, add the tofu cubes, and toss to coat. Let them marinate covered in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.

    Marinated tofu cubes in a bowl and a bowl with the marinade liquid after draining the tofu cubes.

    Step 3: Drain the tofu but don’t discard the marinade liquid. Set aside.

    Marinade liquid mixed with the cornstarch in a small bowl.

    Step 4: Add the marinade liquid to a small mixing bowl along with the cornstarch and mix until well combined. Set aside.

    Marinated tofu cubes cooked in a non-stick pan.

    Step 5: Heat the oil in a non-stick pan or a skillet and sautée the marinated tofu over medium-high heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally.

    Marinated tofu cubes cooked in a non-stick pan after adding the sauce.

    Step 6: Pour the marinade liquid into the pan or skillet and cook until it thickens. Serve immediately.

    Overview of a dish with marinated tofu garnished with chopped chives.

    🍽 Serving suggestions

    Here are some delicious serving suggestions:

    • Serve over a bed of rice or quinoa with steamed or stir-fried vegetables.
    • Use as a protein in a wrap or sandwich with avocado, lettuce, and tomato.
    • Chop into small pieces and add to a salad for added protein and flavor.
    • Serve as a side dish with roasted potatoes or other root vegetables.
    • Use it as a filling for vegan tacos or vegan burritos with your choice of toppings.

    ❄️ Storage

    • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
    • Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw: Transfer to the fridge to thaw overnight.
    • Reheat: It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Add a little oil, water, or vegetable stock if needed.

    💭 Expert tips

    • I hardly ever press my tofu, but I know many people think this is a must if you want your tofu to absorb all the flavors from the seasonings or the marinade you're using.
    • Pressing tofu is very easy, just wrap the tofu in paper towels or in a clean towel and apply a steady weight to squeeze out the moisture. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • If you freeze the tofu and then defrost it, it will become more porous and it'll absorb flavors more easily. I don't do it very often to save some time and effort, but it's a great tip.
    • Another good tip is to simmer the tofu in salted water briefly before cooking it, this will make the tofu hardier and less likely to crumble while cooking in the pan.
    • Heat up the pan first and then add the oil. Wait for the sizzling sound before adding the marinated tofu. A hot skillet helps prevent sticking and makes flipping easier.

    ❓Recipe FAQs

    Can I make my marinated tofu in advance?

    Yes, you can! Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.

    However, it is best freshly made, so as it's ready in just 30 minutes, I would cook it just before serving it for the best results.

    What kind of tofu is best for marinating?

    Extra-Firm tofu has the least amount of liquid and is a great choice for frying.

    However, I find it too dry sometimes, so I prefer to use firm tofu because it has the proper amount of liquid without falling apart like silken or soft tofu, but it's not as dry as extra-firm tofu.

    Do you really need to press the tofu?

    As I explained above in more detail, I hardly ever press my tofu and I'm so happy with the results.

    But for extra crispy tofu and if you want the tofu to absorb all the flavors from the seasonings or marinade you're using, you should press it.

    How do you cook the tofu without sticking?

    The easiest way is by using a non-stick pan, but a skillet is also a good choice.

    If you’re using a skillet, or regular pan, preheat it on the stove for 1-2 minutes before adding the oil, and make sure to use enough to coat the bottom of the pan.

    It's also really important to wait for the tofu cubes to release from the pan. As the marinated tofu cooks and gets golden brown, the cubes will un-stick from the pan.

    Can I bake the marinated tofu instead?

    Yes, it works well, but it won’t be as crispy as if you fried it.

    First, preheat the oven to 400ºF or 200ºC. Then transfer the tofu cubes to a lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

    Remove the baking sheet from the oven and flip each of the tofu cubes so they can cook evenly on the other side. Bake for 15 more minutes or until golden brown.

    🌱 More tofu recipes

    • Kung Pao Tofu
      Kung Pao Tofu
    • Photo of a bowl of homemade air fryer tofu
      Air Fryer Tofu
    • Photo of a plate of teriyaki tofu
      Teriyaki Tofu
    • A bowl with vegan tofu ricotta cheese and some bread slices around.
      Vegan Tofu Ricotta Cheese (4 Ingredients)

    ⭐️ Did you like this easy marinated tofu recipe? Please consider giving it a 5-star rating and comment below!

    📖 Recipe

    Square picture of a dish with marinated tofu garnished with chopped chives.

    Marinated Tofu

    Quick and easy marinated tofu with 9 ingredients in just 30 minutes. Add a flavorful and healthy plant-based protein source to any dish!
    4.84 from 65 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Author: Iosune


    Ingredients 

    US Customary - Metric

    For the marinade:

    • ¼ cup water
    • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional

    Rest of the recipe:

    • 1 block firm tofu, about 14 ounces or 400 g, drained, patted dry, and cubed
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    • 1 tablespoon oil of your choice, I used extra virgin olive oil
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
    • Transfer the marinade liquid to a shallow dish, add the tofu cubes, and toss to coat.
    • Let them marinate covered in the fridge for at least 15 minutes. If you let them marinate longer, they will have a more intense flavor.
    • Drain the tofu but don’t discard the marinade liquid. Set aside.
    • Add the marinade liquid to a small mixing bowl along with the cornstarch and mix until well combined. Set aside.
    • Heat the oil in a non-stick pan or a skillet and sautée the tofu over medium-high heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
    • Pour the marinade liquid into the pan or skillet and cook until it thickens. Serve immediately.

    Notes

    Substitutions:
    • Firm or extra-firm tofu work best for this recipe. Soft or silken tofu is not a good choice as it will fall apart easily.
    • I always go for tap water, but any type of water will do, even sparkling water. Vegetable stock will work as well.
    • Instead of soy sauce, you can use tamari for a gluten-free alternative or coconut aminos, which is soy-free, or some salt to taste. 
    • Feel free to use any type of vinegar like white or rice vinegar, or even lemon juice.
    • Other syrups also will do, like agave or coconut syrup, or even sugar, although I prefer to use a liquid sweetener to get the best consistency for the marinade.
    • Garlic powder can be replaced with onion powder, or you could even omit it if you want. Using minced fresh garlic is also a good choice.
    • If you're not into spicy food, omit the cayenne pepper.
    • Cornstarch be replaced with arrowroot powder, or pretty much any type of starch you have on hand.
    • Extra virgin olive oil is my favorite oil for this recipe, but you can use a different type of oil, such as vegetable, canola, sunflower, or avocado oil.
    Storage:
    • Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 5-7 days.
    • Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
    • Thaw: Transfer to the fridge to thaw overnight.
    • Reheat: It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. Add a little oil, water, or vegetable stock if needed.
    Expert tips:
    • I hardly ever press my tofu, but I know many people think this is a must if you want your tofu to absorb all the flavors from the marinade.
    • Pressing tofu is very easy, just wrap the tofu in paper towels or in a clean towel and apply a steady weight to squeeze out the moisture. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
    • If you freeze the tofu and then defrost it, it will become more porous and it'll absorb flavors more easily.
    • Another good tip is to simmer the tofu in salted water briefly before cooking it, this will make the tofu hardier and less likely to crumble while cooking in the pan.
    • Heat up the pan first and then add the oil. Wait for the sizzling sound before adding the marinated tofu. A hot skillet helps prevent sticking and makes flipping easier.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    2.9K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kayla X Cupcakes says

      January 14, 2023 at 3:49 am

      My mummy made this for me and I sprinkled some chives xx on at the end for some sweetness as the flavours are strong, but probably because I added a little bit too much spice for me with the lemon juice and onion powder. It was a little overpowering at first but when I got used to it and added chives too. 😋 It tastes Georgous x although we did not sauté or skillet, as we do not have a skillet and there was x no time. The food itself was delicous and extremely scrumptious especially with chopsticks. 🥢 x it was better than already bought tofu products x 🌷🌸🪷💐☺️🤗😊💖💗💓💕💞😀😃😄

      Reply
      • Iosune says

        January 16, 2023 at 4:57 pm

        Hi kayla! So glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    2. andrea says

      September 07, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and SO good! Delicious to keep on hand and toss into a salad for added plant protein! WINNER!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        September 14, 2022 at 9:40 am

        Hi Andrea! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    3. Lori Sweeney says

      July 21, 2022 at 11:55 pm

      This looks amazing and I am going to try it! (just bought some medium firm tofu today!) plus going to add grated ginger as well! My question is, can you freeze it after it has been cooked?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        July 22, 2022 at 2:47 pm

        Hi Lori! Feel free to freeze it 🙂 Hope you like it!

        Reply
    4. Wanda Jones says

      April 22, 2022 at 11:34 pm

      5 stars
      Yes,... It came together so, quick and easy. I love it!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        April 26, 2022 at 10:42 am

        Hi! Thank you so much for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sally says

      April 18, 2022 at 10:30 pm

      When do you add in the tofu liquid?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        April 22, 2022 at 9:18 am

        Hi Sally! We don't add the tofu liquid 🙂

        Reply
    6. Shari R. says

      March 06, 2022 at 10:24 pm

      5 stars
      Great flavor and super simple This is now my favorite marinade for tofu. Instead of frying I used an air fryer - yummy!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        March 07, 2022 at 10:09 am

        Hi Shari! Sounds so good 🙂

        Reply
    7. Cheryl Blanchette says

      February 17, 2022 at 6:36 am

      5 stars
      It was good. My husband did not complain that makes it a 5 star recipe!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        February 17, 2022 at 10:41 am

        Hi! That's amazing 🙂

        Reply
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    Hi, I'm Iosune! Welcome to Simple Vegan Blog. Here you’ll find nutritious and delicious vegan recipes that will help you stay healthy and happy.

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