5 Easy and Tasty Tofu Marinades

Tired of bland tofu? Revolutionize your cooking game with these 5 Easy and Tasty Tofu Marinades! Anyone can marinate tofu, making flavorful, meaty, and budget-friendly high-protein additions to nearly any meal.

Growing up, I wasn’t the biggest fan of tofu. It was one of my dad’s favorite foods so we often ate at his house. Though he was a great cook, the texture and mild flavor left me uncertain.

Fast forward to when I became a vegan as an adult, I quickly learned to appreciate tofu as a complete protein source. I cautiously began adding it to my meals, and eventually realized how delicious it was when marinated. This began my search to create the best tofu marinades.

It’s been a mission I’ve been on ever since. Over the many years, I have finessed and perfected these five recipes and today I finally share them with you!

If you’re unsure about tofu or learning to prepare it, I’ll help you with this complete guide to working with it. The steps are simple and the results are totally tasty — so much that you may convert to a tofu lover, too!

Looking for even more ways to enjoy tofu? Check out my 31+ Best Tofu Recipes!

3 Reasons to Use Tofu Marinade

Once you try these marinades, you’ll never go back to plain tofu! There are so many reasons to love it, including:

• Infuse Flavor: Tofu’s spongy texture allows it to soak up these easy tofu marinades. The mild flavor of this soy protein also makes it a great base for any flavor.
• Quick and Easy: With prep taking less than 5 minutes, you can mix up one of these marinades in a snap, perfect for even the busiest days.
• Versatile: I’ve developed 5 recipes for you to choose from, allowing you to add plant-based flavor to everything from Mexican and Caribbean to Asian and classic American meals.

Tofu Marinade Ingredients

Add flavor and protein to any meal with this wide-ranging selection of tofu marinade recipes! Here’s what you’ll need:

Cumin Lime: Chopped cilantro, garlic, fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup or agave, Dijon mustard, cumin, salt, and olive or avocado oil. Fresh, bright, and Mexican-inspired!

Garlic Gochujang Tofu: Gochujang paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, agave syrup, sesame seeds, fresh lime juice, and minced garlic. Umami-rich, nutty, and savory!

Blackened Jerk: Onion, green onion, garlic, habanero chili, ginger, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, allspice, nutmeg, thyme, black pepper, vegetable bouillon paste, and water. Spicy, aromatic, and finger-licking good!

Maple Mustard: Apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, maple syrup, stone ground or Dijon mustard, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. Sweet, peppery, and homey!

Lemon Caper: Shallot, lemon juice, olive oil, capers, maple syrup, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and turmeric. Tangy, briny, and herbaceous!

Does Tofu Need To Be Pressed Before Marinating?

The short answer is yes! The longer explanation is that tofu is naturally highly saturated with water. Before marinating, we first need to press out this water so it can absorb the new flavors.

You can press a full block of tofu or slice it before pressing. Many traditional methods involve the former, but I often press individual slices when short on time, as the higher surface volume allows it to press quicker.

Side note: Have you ever wondered how tofu is made? Watch this!

How to Press Tofu

To press tofu, place it on a paper towel-lined dinner plate or cutting board. Layer on more paper towels (or a clean kitchen towel) before topping the tofu with another dinner plate, cutting board, or heavy skillet––I used a heavy cast iron dutch oven in the example photo. Press for 15-30 minutes or longer or until firm.

How to Marinate Tofu

• Press the Tofu. As directed in the previous section.
• Combine Marinade Ingredients. Add the directed ingredients to a mixing bowl or jar with a lid. Whisk well or shake until well blended.

• Add Tofu to Marinade. Cube or slice the pressed tofu. Place the tofu in a mixing bowl, storage container, or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over it. Gently turn or toss the tofu until fully covered. Cover the bowl or container or seal the the bag of tofu.

• Marinate! Add the tofu to the refrigerator and marinade for 2 hours to overnight. The longer you marinate it, the more flavor it will have!

• Cook Tofu. Following my directions below, sauté, bake, grill, or air fry the tofu until it is meaty and tender. Enjoy it in salads and stir-fries, in wraps, on pasta, as a snack, or however else you enjoy tofu!

Top Tips for Using Tofu Marinades

Ensure the best marinated tofu recipe by doing the following:

• Don’t Skip Pressing: This is an essential step which allows the tofu to absorb more flavor. If you are short on time, use extra-firm tofu and press it for 10-15 minutes.
• Marinate Longer for More Flavor: The longer the tofu soaks in the marinade, the more flavorful it will be. Marinate overnight for the best results, though you can let it sit for up for 2 days if desired.
• Adjust the Marinade to Taste: All of these tofu marinades are safe to sample raw, so add more salt, sweetness, spice, or other ingredients to taste.

How to Cook Marinated Tofu

Once marinated, there are many delicious ways to cook the tofu:

Baking (Oven)

Add the tofu with none or part of the marinade to a cast iron skillet or a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake the tofu in a 375°F oven. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until crispy, adding additional time if needed for tofu slices or steaks.

Sautéing (Stovetop)

Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu slices or cubes and the marinade to the skillet and cook for 8-12 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender and crisp. Sauté or stir-fry with vegetables if you’d like.

Air Frying

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F for 2-3 minutes. Drain the marinade from the tofu and place the tofu in an air fryer basket. Air fry the tofu for 13-15 minutes, stirring or shaking the tofu halfway through. Add additional cooking time if needed for tofu slices or steaks.

Grilling

Oil the grill grates and preheat the grill to medium heat. Add thick tofu slices or tofu steaks and grill for 4-6 minutes per side until golden.

Tofu Piccata (for Lemon Caper Marinade)

Lemon Caper Tofu can be prepared by baking, sautéing, air frying or grilling. Alternatively, you can turn it into a Tofu Piccata, which has a silky roux-based sauce. Instructions in recipe card below.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to enjoying these tofu marinade recipes, it’s hard to go wrong! Serve them on salads, in wraps and sandwiches, on pasta, in tortillas, or with any of the following recipes:

• Mushroom Alfredo Pasta 
• Korean Japchae Noodles
• Baby Kale Salad 
• Burrito Bowls

Storage Directions

• Refrigerating: Leftover cooked tofu keeps in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Once cooled to room temperature, cooked marinated tofu can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost the tofu in the refrigerator overnight or reheat from frozen in the air fryer or oven. The texture of tofu may change slightly upon defrosting but will still be delicious.
• Reheating: Warm the tofu in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. You can also heat it in the microwave on gentle, but the tofu won’t be as crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Tofu Recipes

• Vegan Chicken Nuggets
• Vegan Buffalo Wings review
• The Best Tofu Scramble
• Hearty Tofu Chili
• Broccoli and Tofu Stir-Fry