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)

Print RecipePin RecipeLeave a Review

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 get the best flavor in tofu? ›

How to Make Tofu Taste Good
  1. Understand the different tofu varieties. ...
  2. Press your tofu. ...
  3. Marinate the tofu – for a long time! ...
  4. Use cornstarch to make crispy tofu. ...
  5. Use sesame oil for pan-frying. ...
  6. A good sauce is your best friend. ...
  7. Crumble it up. ...
  8. Use your blender.
Apr 6, 2022

How long should you marinate tofu? ›

You should aim to marinate tofu for at least 2 hours in the fridge. To infuse more flavour, you can leave it to marinade for up to 2 days before cooking up. Top tip: Don't ditch the leftover marinade when you come to cook your tofu.

Do you put cornstarch before or after marinating tofu? ›

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 is best to season tofu? ›

Most seafood seasonings include celery seed, paprika, mustard powder, salt, and black pepper. Add lime juice to the tofu marinade to bring forward more of that classic seafood flavor. 5. Soy sauce: Marinating tofu in soy sauce helps the tofu absorb flavor quickly.

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.

Why does my tofu have no flavor? ›

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.

Is tofu worth marinating? ›

When it comes to tofu, a good, flavorful marinade is your best friend. In fact, the right combination of seasoning and sauce takes a dull ingredient and transforms it into a food you will want to eat over and over again. Trust us, it's a game changer.

Should I freeze tofu before marinating? ›

Previously frozen tofu more readily absorbs the flavors of marinades, has a meatier texture similar to chicken, and is easier to press to remove excess water which gets it crispier upon cooking. You do not need to press the tofu if you are freezing it. Freeze for a minimum of 24 hours.

Why is tofu not absorbing marinade? ›

Cold, raw tofu rejects marinades because of its high water content and low porosity. It will eventually suck up a marinade, but mostly on the surface, and only after a long, long time (think a couple of days). Par-cooking it speeds up the process by driving out some of that water, leaving more room for seasonings.

What should I coat my tofu in? ›

A light coating of cornstarch will absorb even more moisture from the tofu's surface and contribute to a distinct coating. Sprinkle over the starch (potato starch, tapioca starch, and arrowroot all work too) a little bit at a time and toss the tofu, pressing gently so the starch adheres.

Do you coat tofu in flour or cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch: Keeps the moisture inside this tofu and is the key ingredient to making it SUPER crispy!
  1. While I haven't personally tried it, arrowroot powder may work as a substitute.
  2. I do not recommend substituting with all-purpose flour.
Apr 27, 2023

How to make tofu texture better? ›

Many cooking experts champion a quick soak as a way to give the protein more texture and flavor. “Simmering cubed tofu in salted water for 60 seconds pulls out excess moisture and tightens the proteins on its surface,” Lukas Volger told Bon Appétit in 2021.

How to get more flavor into tofu? ›

Start by pressing your tofu to remove the water. Then, toss pressed tofu pieces in a marinade made with a combination of oil, soy sauce, sweetener, and other flavorings of your choosing, such as garlic and ginger. The sweetener is essential for the caramelization to occur.

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Press it. Tofu contains a lot of water, and you'll want to squeeze most of it out, especially if you're baking, grilling, or frying it. I recommend using a tofu press to do this, because it gives the tofu a delicious chewy texture and makes cleanup a breeze. But having one isn't necessary.

What herbs and spices are best for tofu? ›

Organic Pinch Seasonings the Compliment Tofu

Chili Powder: A melody of chili peppers, garlic, and cumin that bestows a warm, smoky zest to tofu, perfect for crafting delectable tacos or fajitas. That's Amore: A medley of basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, this blend is the essence of the Mediterranean.

How to get the best out of tofu? ›

Tofu contains a large amount of water when it comes out of the package. In order to bake, fry, or scramble tofu, it's best to press out as much water as possible before cooking. The longer you press your tofu, the firmer the texture will be and the easier it will be to achieve a nice crispy texture.

What does tofu get its flavor from? ›

So, the answer to what tofu tastes like is simple: tofu tastes like what the person cooking it adds to the dish. Draining the water from the package and pressing the tofu will help it absorb the flavor from whatever liquid you choose to marinade it with, per the Tasting Table.

How does tofu absorb flavor? ›

Once it's frozen, the water inside the tofu turns into ice crystals. These ice crystals melt upon thawing, which leaves little air pockets behind that are better at absorbing flavors, just like a sponge. Frozen, then defrosted tofu is extra exciting because it's spongier, meatier, and chewier.

What is good to add to tofu? ›

Here's a spicy way to start the day: Cook crumbled tofu until golden brown, and then add olive oil, onion, garlic, and bell pepper to cook for a few minutes. Season with curry powder, cumin, and coriander and stir to combine. Serve on whole grain toast with scallions sprinkled over top.

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