Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (2024)

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posted by Jessica Hylton on Mar 1, 2021 84 comments »

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5 (from 83 ratings)

This Marinated Tofu recipe will make you fall in LOVE with tofu with LOTS of great tips! It’s great for baking, pan-frying, grilling, in the air fryer and so much more! Perfect for a multi-purpose simple marinade and makes your tofu so flavourful.

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (1)

A common question I hear is, “my tofu is so bland by itself – how do I get it to taste tasty?”. I love hearing this because it means there are SO many possibilities and that I get the opportunity to blow someone’s mind with how good tofu can taste!

Just like you would pretty much ANY protein source, you HAVE to season tofu if you want it to have flavour. As I said in my Tofu 101 blog post (a must read), it’s not tofu’s job to taste good. It’s a complete source of protein, and a beautiful blank slate to season with whatever your heart desires. Season it well (in fact – season all your veggies) and your tastebuds will thank you. It’s that simple. This is the general tofu marinade recipe that I use for many of my tofu recipes at home. When we just want some tasty tofu, we make this!


Notes on the Ingredients

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (2)

block of tofu – always ensure it’s not silken (just regular firm or extra firm) and pressed for at least 30 minutes!

soy sauce– I always use light soy sauce, you can also use liquid aminos or coconut aminos or tamari. Don’t skip this – this helps to really penetrate the tofu for that inside out flavour.

rice wine vinegar– I love the flavour, feel free to experiment with regular vinegar or apple cider vinegar too although it won’t taste the same.

sesame oil– you could also use your favourite flavoured oil here.

agave– you can also use maple syrup! Helps to balance out the other flavours, doesn’t make it sweet.

garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika (preferably smoked)– my preferred seasonings for this marinade!

cornstarch – this helps to thicken up the rest of the marinade to make the marinated tofu a bit saucy too after cooking! You could also use regular flour if you can’t use cornstarch, but it might not be the exact same texture.

How to Make Marinated Tofu (Step by Step Instructions)

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (3)

In a medium-size bowl place the pressed and cubed tofu. Add the soy sauce and toss to coat. Add in all of the other marinade ingredients and toss to thoroughly combine. Ensure all the pieces are coated and let the tofu sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 days.

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (4)

In a pan over medium high heat, add the oil. Once hot, scoop your tofu out of the leftover marinade (do not toss your marinade) and add into the pan. Crisp up your tofu on each side for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until all sides are crisped up and browned.

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (5)

While your tofu is cooking, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the marinade and whisk vigorously to combine.

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (6)

Once tofu is finished cooking. Turn off the heat. Immediately add in your marinade and stir to combine. The residual heat will heat through the sauce and cook off the cornstarch. Stir to combine and let it all sit together for at least 2 minutes.

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (7)

Remove from the stove, serve and enjoy!

Expert Tips & FAQ

  • Allowing the marinade to sit on the tofu for at least 30 minutes really makes a massive difference to penetrating the tofu and giving it a deep flavour. Marinated tofu really is the best!
  • Make sure you’re not buying silken tofu! That will yield the wrong texture and will break apart if you try and press it. Check out myTofu 101post for more, or watch mytofu 101 IG series.
  • If you want to bake the tofu instead, I recommend following my Baked Tofu post instructions – 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping in between. I would still recommend doing the marinade with cornstarch step afterwards (just heat up the pan a bit and add the tofu right after it comes out of the oven).
  • How to press tofu:I cover this in detail in myHow to Cook Tofu 101 post! The prep time includes the time to press the tofu
  • Often times tofu sticks in your pan if you’re trying to flip it too early, the heat is too low, or your non-stick coating is gone. If your tofu is sticking, consider one of these and adjust accordingly – it’s usually that you’re trying to flip it too quickly!
Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (8)
  • Sweet and Sour Tofu
  • Easy Baked Tofu
  • How to Make Crispy Tofu

Enjoy friends! If you make thisMarinated Tofu Recipe, please snap a photo and tag#jessicainthekitchenonInstagram! We’d also love if you would leave a comment below, and give the recipe a rating! Thanks so much!

Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (9)

Marinated Tofu Recipe

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 40 minutes mins

This Marinated Tofu recipe will make you fall in LOVE with tofu with LOTS of great tips! It's great for baking, pan-frying, grilling, in the air fryer and so much more! Perfect for a multi-purpose simple marinade and makes your tofu so flavourful.

5 (from 83 ratings)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb block of tofu, pressed for at least 30 minutes and cut into 1-inch pieces

Marinade Recipe

  • 1/4 cup light soy sauce, don't use regular soy sauce (you can always used liquid aminos, tamari or coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 4 teaspoons agave
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika, (preferably smoked)
  • 2 tablespoons water

Rest of Recipe

  • 2 teaspoons oil, (any oil)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • In a medium-size bowl place the pressed and cubed tofu. Add the soy sauce and toss to coat. Add in all of the other marinade ingredients (rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, agave, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika and water) and toss to thoroughly combine. Ensure all the pieces are coated and let the tofu sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, up to 2 days.

Rest of the Recipe

  • In a pan over medium high heat, add the oil. Once hot, scoop your tofu out of the leftover marinade (do not toss your marinade) and add into the pan. Crisp up your tofu on each side for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until all sides are crisped up and browned.

  • While your tofu is cooking, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the marinade and whisk vigorously to combine.

  • Once tofu is finished cooking. Turn off the heat. Immediately add in your marinade and stir to combine. The residual heat will heat through the sauce and cook off the cornstarch. Stir to combine and let it all sit together for at least 2 minutes. Remove from the stove, serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Allowing the marinade to sit on the tofu for at least 30 minutes really makes a massive difference to penetrating the tofu and giving it a deep flavour. Marinated tofu really is the best!
  • Make sure you’re not buying silken tofu! That will yield the wrong texture and will break apart if you try and press it. Check out myTofu 101post for more, or watch mytofu 101 IG series.
  • If you want to bake the tofu instead, I recommend following my Baked Tofu post instructions – 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping in between. I would still recommend doing the marinade with cornstarch step afterwards (just heat up the pan a bit and add the tofu right after it comes out of the oven).
  • How to press tofu:I cover this in detail in myHow to Cook Tofu 101 post! The prep time includes the time to press the tofu
  • Often times tofu sticks in your pan if you’re trying to flip it too early, the heat is too low, or your non-stick coating is gone. If your tofu is sticking, consider one of these and adjust accordingly – it’s usually that you’re trying to flip it too quickly!

Calories: 179kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 816mg, Potassium: 50mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 62IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 149mg, Iron: 2mg

Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.

Cuisine: American, Asian, Universal

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Author: Jessica Hylton

Recipes

published on Mar 1, 2021

84 comments Leave a comment »

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84 comments on “Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!)”

  1. Bray Reply

    I’m really excited to try this! I want to use it for meal prep, can it stay in the fridge for a few days prior to cooking?

    • Jessica Hylton Reply

      Hi Bray,

      You can leave uncooked marinated tofu in the fridge up to 48 hours! You might want to add a touch of water though once you’re ready to cook to loosen up the sauce a bit. I hope this helps and enjoy!

Leave a comment »
Marinated Tofu Recipe (for the BEST Tofu Flavour!) (2024)

FAQs

How do you make tofu more flavorful? ›

Here are a few ideas:
  1. Marinate it: Tofu can be marinated in a variety of flavorful sauces or spices. ...
  2. Press it: Firm tofu can be quite bland if eaten straight out of the package. ...
  3. Fry it: Fried tofu can be crispy and delicious. ...
  4. Add it to stir-fry: Tofu can be added to stir-fries for extra protein and texture.
Apr 6, 2023

Do you put cornstarch before or after marinating tofu? ›

It takes no time to put together. Once the tofu is marinated, I use a cornstarch coating with some cumin powder in it. Not only does it create a super crispy result, but the seasoning further brings out the flavor of the tofu.

What should I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

Do you drain tofu before marinating? ›

But if you want to marinate it in something, getting out all of the moisture from the tofu is key. The problem with a tofu press or pressing with paper towels is that it doesn't do well at all with pulling moisture from the center.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

What spices make tofu taste good? ›

Combine brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garam masala, oregano, garlic powder and salt. Dredge tofu in spice blend, covering all surfaces.

How long should you marinate tofu for? ›

Seal the bag and leave it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Tip: Gently massage the tofu in the bag at least once to ensure each tofu cube is well coated and has a chance to soak up those amazing flavors.

Can you marinate tofu too long? ›

Yes, you can marinate tofu for too long.

Do you need to press tofu after marinating? ›

I recommend always pressing tofu before baking it, especially if you're marinating it first — removing excess liquid will make room for all that flavorful marinade.

How do you make tofu taste less bland? ›

Soy sauce/tamari - This is pretty crucial for flavour, as tofu naturally has a very bland taste. Either soy sauce or tamari can be used. Tamari is a (generally) gluten free soy sauce, whereas regular soy sauce usually contains wheat. Apple cider vinegar - Adds a mild tanginess to the tofu.

Why is my tofu so tasteless? ›

Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

How long does it take for tofu to absorb flavor? ›

Cook for about 3-4 minutes stirring or until all the tofu has been evenly coated in the seasoning or sauce and it has started to absorb into the tofu.

How do I season my tofu? ›

Unwrap tofu and cut into small cubes (see photo), then add to a medium mixing bowl and season with a pinch of salt and desired seasoning, which will vary depending on your dish. I was adding mine to a curry, so I added curry powder. If adding to a BBQ dish, try a BBQ seasoning blend.

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