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How To Marinate Tofu (Ultimate Flavor Guide!)
5 from 16 votes

How To Marinate Tofu (Ultimate Flavor Guide!)

With 8 easy options, this guide on how to marinate tofu has a flavor for every situation and for everyone's taste buds. Sesame ginger is perfect for sauteing, smoked bacon can be grilled, and fajita is delicious air-fried. Whip these up in just minutes and have dinner ready to go on busy weeknights.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian, American, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 oz block tofu 396 g
Smoked Bacon
  • ¼ cup neutral cooking oil 60 mL, generic cooking oil
  • ¼ cup soy sauce 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup 30 mL
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke 10 mL
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
Sesame Ginger
  • ¼ cup soy sauce 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil 30 mL
  • 2 Tbsp oil 30 mL, unflavored
  • 2 Tbsp ginger finely chopped, fresh
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
BBQ
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce 120 g
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 30 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
Herby Balsamic
  • ¼ cup neutral cooking oil olive oil is great here, 60 mL, generic cooking oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 60 mL
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp basil dried
Fajita
  • ¼ cup neutral cooking oil avocado oil is great here, 60 mL, generic cooking oil
  • ¼ cup lime juice 60 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp salt
Garlic & Herb
  • ¼ cup neutral cooking oil olive oil is great here, 60 mL, generic cooking oil
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 30 mL
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp salt
Tandoori
  • ½ cup coconut milk canned
  • 1 Tbsp ginger finely chopped, fresh
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp Turmeric
  • ¼ tsp salt
Cilantro Lime
  • ½ cup cilantro finely chopped, fresh
  • ¼ cup neutral cooking oil coconut oil is great here, 60 mL, generic cooking oil
  • ¼ cup lime juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Press (optional): To remove the excess water from your tofu, you can press it for 10 to 30 minutes before using. Either use a tofu press, or simply set the tofu on a tilted cutting board with a heavy pan on top to press out moisture.
  2. Cut: Cut tofu into your desired shape (cubes or slabs are common!).
  3. Mix: Choose your desired flavor and stir together all ingredients.
  4. Assemble: Add tofu to a bowl or plastic bag, along with the marinade. Allow tofu to marinate anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.
  5. Cook: Fish the pieces of tofu from the marinade and cook as desired (baked, air fried, or sauteed all work well with marinated tofu!).

Notes

  • Storage: You can store marinated tofu in the fridge for up 3 days in an airtight container (prior to cooking).