Tofu Marinade

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A tofu marinade is the best way to ensure a flavor-packed recipe every time! In this post, find 4 different seasoning options along with helpful tips for preventing bland and boring tofu. Serve it over rice, with roasted vegetables, in wraps, as part of stir-fries, and more!

❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

• Versatile: With 4 different flavor variations, you’ll have something different for almost every day of the week!
• Beginner-friendly: If you’re new to cooking tofu, these marinade recipes will help you create a delicious meal with very little effort.
• Great for meal prep: Make one or all of the marinades, and marinate your tofu in advance. When you’re ready to serve it, all you have to do is toss it in a skillet, air fryer, or oven!
• High in protein: Tofu is one of the best sources of plant-based protein, but it has a bad rap for being bland. It soaks up the flavor of these marinades like a sponge, creating a nutrient powerhouse that tastes good too!

If you enjoy tofu recipes, you might want to check out our pan-fried tofu, vegan Spam, or Thai tofu red curry.

🫘 What is a tofu marinade?

Marinating is a food preparation technique that involves soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. Typically, marinades are utilized with proteins in order to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.

Using the same thought process, tofu marinades are an absolute necessity for creating flavorful and delicious tofu! This vegan protein source absorbs flavors so much better than if the sauce is added at the time of cooking.

Tofu marinades can be made up of a variety of ingredients, some liquid, and some herbs or spices. In today’s recipes, we’ll be making BBQ, buffalo, teriyaki, and honey mustard flavors.

Follow these recipes as a guideline, but you can use just about anything for your own tofu marinade! You’re never going to have to worry about it tasting bland ever again!

🌱 Are tofu marinades vegan?

Typically, marinades are made with three primary components — an acidic base, oil, and herbs and spices. As a result, they are most often vegan.

Each of the following tofu marinade recipes contains simple, plant-based ingredients like tamari, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. These components yield sweet and tangy flavors that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike!

🏋️ How to press tofu

Pressing tofu is one of the keys to achieving a chewy, crispy texture. Before you begin to marinate the tofu, it’s important to remove excess moisture to help it more readily absorb the liquid.

To press your tofu, wrap it in a clean towel and set it on a flat surface (like a cutting board or baking pan). Ideally, you’ll want to use a pan or dish with a bit of a lip to catch the excess water.

Next, place a heavy item, like a cast-iron skillet, on top of the wrapped tofu. Let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before cutting it and continuing on with the marinating process!

🥇 The best tofu to use

The best type of tofu to use depends entirely upon the recipe you are intending to create. Soft and silken tofu varieties typically work best in dressings, smoothies, vegan yogurts, and desserts.

For recipes that require more handling of the tofu and a sturdier texture, firm or extra-firm tofu is the preferred choice. Given that it holds its shape so well, extra-firm tofu is perfect in marinades, scrambles, baking, and more.

🛒 Ingredients & substitutions

For our tofu marinades, we usually stick to four basic recipes. Find the ingredients and simple substitutions for each variation below!

Teriyaki tofu marinade

• Sesame oil: Provides a toasted, nutty, and sweet flavor that perfectly rounds out the marinade. Look for toasted sesame oil with a light brown color.
• Low-sodium tamari: Adds a savory, umami taste that isn’t overpowering with the salt. Feel free to use soy sauce, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos if you don’t have any tamari on hand.
• Maple syrup: Used to sweeten the flavor of the marinade. Agave, coconut nectar, or brown rice syrup also work just as well.
• Rice wine vinegar: Imparts a tangy and acidic element with a hint of sweetness. If you don’t have any, replace it with white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lime juice instead (though, the flavor won’t be the same).
• Fresh ginger: For a spicy, sweet, and warming flavor. We prefer to use freshly grated ginger, but powdered ginger works in a pinch. Did you know ginger root has been used in medicine for over 5,000 years?
• Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add a zesty punch to this marinade. If garlic powder is all you have, use a quarter of a teaspoon for every garlic clove.

Barbecue tofu marinade

• Olive oil: The olive oil you choose makes a significant difference in the overall taste of your marinade. For best results, use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil. Or, substitute it with avocado oil or another neutral vegetable oil.
• Barbecue sauce: Use homemade or store-bought for more convenience. You can experiment with different brands or recipes to discover what you like best!
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy, acidic element that balances out the sweetness of the barbecue sauce. If you don’t have any on hand, try coconut vinegar or white wine vinegar instead.
• Spices: A pinch of garlic powder and smoked paprika adds extra savory, smoky, and slightly spicy notes.

Buffalo tofu marinade

• Olive oil: Forms the base of the marinade while also providing a good source of healthy fats. Once again, opt for good-quality extra-virgin olive oil whenever possible.
• Buffalo hot sauce: You can never go wrong with good ol’ Frank’s hot sauce, but feel free to use whatever buffalo sauce you like best!
• White vinegar: Adds just a touch more tangy acidity. Apple cider vinegar or coconut vinegar would work as well.
• Tamari: Imparts a subtle savory, umami flavor. You can also use soy sauce or coconut aminos if you prefer.
• Spices: Garlic powder and cayenne pepper add a savory kick, similar to the flavor you’d expect from buffalo cauliflower wings!

Honey mustard tofu marinade

• Oil: We tend to reach for avocado oil with this recipe, but high-quality extra virgin olive oil works as well. Both are great sources of anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats like oleic acid.
• Dijon mustard: Adds the perfect tang with a bit of kick. Use smooth Dijon, not the grainy kind. If you don’t have any on hand, replace it with horseradish instead.
• Sweetener: Agave or maple syrup balances out the tang and spice. If you’re using maple syrup, we recommend choosing pure maple syrup whenever possible!
• Garlic powder: Everything tastes better with the savory, toasty addition of garlic powder! You can also add onion powder if you have some in the cupboard.

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

📝 How to make the best tofu marinade

Step 1: Press the tofu

To begin, wrap your tofu in a towel, set it on a plate, and press it for 15-20 minutes to remove any extra moisture. We find our cast-iron skillet works best for this process, but you can absolutely use a tofu press.

Step 2: Cut the tofu

Once the tofu has been pressed and reduced in size, use a sharp knife to cut it into bite-sized cubes, strips, triangles, or whatever other shape you prefer.

Step 3: Marinate the tofu

Add the ingredients of the tofu marinade flavor of your choice to a large freezer bag. Add the tofu pieces, seal the bag, and shake to fully coat the tofu. Leave it to marinate in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours, but ideally overnight.

Step 4: Cook the tofu

Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the tofu pieces to the skillet in an even layer. If need be, work in batches, and turn the pieces over every 3-4 minutes until they are browned on all sides.

Step 5: Create a slurry

Whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry, then pour it into the skillet with the tofu to thicken the sauce before serving. Happy eating!

If you have questions about making your own tofu marinade, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🥗 What to serve with tofu

Depending on which tofu marinade you choose, the serving suggestions are virtually endless. Some of our favorite pairings include:

• With rice: For a complete meal, whip up a batch of rice while your tofu cooks. It’s perfect for soaking up any extra marinade! We love sushi rice, but white rice or brown rice work just as well.
• Alongside veggies: Serve air fryer green beans, air fryer zucchini, air fryer sweet potatoes, or fajita veggies on the side for extra nutrients!
• On top of noodles: You can never go wrong with a bowl of noodles! Try rice vermicelli, ramen noodles, glass noodles, soba noodles, or udon noodles with your marinated tofu.
• In a bowl: Use your tofu marinade to top off a buddha bowl or stir-fry for an easy-to-make yet flavor-packed recipe.

🌡️ Storage

If you have any leftover tofu or tofu marinade, follow these storage tips to keep it fresh:

• Fridge: Whisked together, the prepared tofu marinade recipes can be kept in a sealable jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Just be sure to give it a quick shake before you mix it with the tofu!
• Freezer: As long as they’re in an airtight container, these easy tofu marinade options can be frozen for up to 9 months. When you’re ready to use them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight before you soak your tofu.

♻️ Variations

• Thai-inspired: Add peanut butter and curry paste (red, yellow, or green) to the teriyaki marinade for a Thai-inspired flavor.
• Fajita: Replace the barbecue sauce with liquid smoke, and include warm, Mexican-inspired spices like cumin, Mexican oregano, and ancho chili powder.
• Balsamic: Using balsamic dressing as inspiration, replace the Dijon mustard with balsamic in the honey mustard marinade.
• Italian: Using a base of avocado oil, agave, and white wine vinegar, include Italian spices such as rosemary, basil, oregano, and garlic powder.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

• Don’t forget the acid: This is crucial to enhance the flavors and create the tender texture we’re looking to achieve.
• Practice patience: The longer you let your tofu marinate, the better it will taste!
• Adjust seasonings: Feel free to adjust the ingredients or add extra spices to suit your preferences.
• Make a slurry: A mixture of cornstarch and water transforms a simple marinade into a thick and satisfying sauce that’s perfect for topping noodles, rice, and more!

💬 FAQ

🍴 More sauce recipes

If you enjoyed these tofu marinade recipes, be sure to check out some more flavor enhancers like the following dressings and sauces:

• Green enchilada sauce: A homemade enchilada recipe made with tangy tomatillos and spicy green chiles.
• Salsa roja: Table salsa that features fresh tomatoes, chiles, garlic, and onions.
• Easy teriyaki sauce: A kitchen staple full of sweet and savory flavors.
• Chili garlic aioli: A creamy sauce that comes together in just 5 minutes.