Tofu Marinade Recipes

The secret to loving tofu is knowing how to prepare it and use different marinades to flavor it. Here is a collection of tofu marinade recipes to make you a tofu lover!

I love tofu, and the marinade for tofu makes the perfect tofu. Unfortunately, most people who don't like tofu don't know how to prepare it. Pressing the tofu, as well as the marinades for tofu, makes or breaks tofu success. 

Jump to:

• The Benefits of Eating Tofu
• The Different Types of Tofu
• Pressing Tofu Before Marinating
• The Best Marinades for Tofu
• How to Cook Marinated Tofu
• Recipe FAQS
• 💬 Reviews

The Benefits of Eating Tofu

As an excellent source of protein, add tofu to various recipes. Although tofu on its own is pretty bland, marinades for tofu elevate the taste and texture.

Generally, tofu haters need to learn how to prepare it properly. At the beginning of my plant-based journey, I, too, was a tofu hater.

I distinctly remember my first tofu experience of ordering tofu at an Asian restaurant instead of meat in my dish, and the tofu was soft and tasteless. I remember picking it out of my veggies like a little kid and making a sour disappointed face. 

Since then, however, I discovered the trick to pressing and marinating tofu. 

The Different Types of Tofu

• First and foremost, the type of tofu you buy is essential. For instance, soft or silken tofu is used for dressing, dips, and sauces.
• Firm tofu, as well as firm-silken tofu, is best used for quiche or vegan cheesecake. 
• On the other hand, extra-firm tofu is made for entrees and can be baked, air-fried, grilled, or sauteed. I always buy the firmest tofu I can find as a general rule. 
• Sprouted tofu is the firmest tofu, and it does not require pressing. This one is my favorite because I don't have to press it. Instead, I use a paper towel to dry it off, and it's ready.  
• For soy-free free tofu, try chickpea tofu . 

Pressing Tofu Before Marinating

First, carefully remove the tofu from the package, discarding the fluid from the container.  

Then, place the tofu in the middle of a tofu press and turn both knobs equally about four turns. I usually set the tofu press in the sink on its side, but I put it on a plate to drain this visual post.

• Turn the knobs every two minutes, equally, until you have the result (the last picture).
• Most people stop here...NOT YET. So keep turning until the knobs are screwed as far as possible.  
• Although I have never tried this, I decided this time to measure the amount of water I got from the bottom of the plate at the end.
• The amount was ¾ cup fluid.
• Now, remove the press from the plate, and I give it another press with a paper towel for excess fluid removal.

The Best Marinades for Tofu

Regardless of the type of marinade chosen, I suggest marinating overnight for the best results. 

Are you looking for a vegan burger that grills well? This tofu burger is marinated in a savory "steak" marinade that takes your tofu burger to the next level.

Staying with the Asian theme, this tofu poke bowl marinade is slightly spicy with an umami flavor. It's delicious.

Tofu Banh Mi, anyone? This Asian tofu marinade is based on a traditional Banh Mi bowl. You will love the combination of sweet and spicy!

If you love citrus, you will love this combination of orange, lemon, and lime juice with garlic and a hint of spice.

Lemongrass is the secret ingredient in this lemongrass tofu marinade. It tastes so fresh; it's perfect for rice or noodle bowls or on its own.

This almond butter marinade is the magic of this grilled Asian tofu bowl. It's creamy, tangy, and delicious.

The marinade for the tofu in the dragon noodle recipe is simple yet addicting.

Everyone loves sweet and sour sauce, so add some tofu and vegetables, and it's a winner!

This lemon tahini marinade is perfect for marinated tofu salad.

I love vegan feta cheese, and this tofu feta cheese marinade makes the perfect homemade tofu feta cheese.

If you love Jamaican jerk sauce, you will love this tofu jerk marinade. Add it to a bowl of fresh veggies, pineapple, and rice, and you'll feel like you're on the beach in Jamaica.

Barbeque lovers rejoice! This BBQ tofu marinade makes the best BBQ tofu for a bowl, sandwich, wrap, or salad.

Enjoy the flavors of Korean BBQ with this delicious Korean tofu marinade. The secret is the Gochujang sauce.

Nothing is better than a peanut sauce marinade for a nutty, creamy, slightly spicy marinade and sauce.

For a sweet teriyaki marinade made with fresh pineapple juice, try this tofu teriyaki marinade.

Maple syrup and stone-ground mustard create a lovely and savory tofu marinade.

This sweet and sour tofu marinade is used as a marinade and a sauce for this delightful and sour tofu recipe.

This delicious orange tofu is made with an orange citrus marinade and is grilled, baked, or air fried and added to quinoa and sauteed vegetables.

Try this miso tofu marinade for a savory umami stir fry with grilled, baked, or air-fried tofu.

With the variety of marinades for tofu and different cooking methods, tofu is one of the most versatile proteins. So, the next time you want to add healthy protein to any vegan dish, consider marinating some tofu. 

How to Cook Marinated Tofu

Once marinated, cook tofu in a variety of ways. My favorite way to prepare tofu is to grill it, but that is only sometimes an option. So, here are several different ways to cook tofu. 

Grilled

• Preheat grill to 350 or medium-low.
• You can place the marinated tofu directly on the grill or use a grill basket.
• Grill for 7 minutes on each side.
• Let cool slightly.

Baked 

• Follow the same directions for marinating.
• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
• Place tofu pieces on a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mats; I used my copper crisper pan.

Air Fryer

• Dip the marinated tofu on each side with cornstarch
• Place large pieces into the basket, not touching each other.
• Cook on 370 for 10 minutes
• Open the basket and turn large tofu pieces over.
• Bake for 10 more minutes

Pan Searing

• Heat a non-stick skillet to medium.
• Add marinated tofu, only adding a small amount of the marinade at a time.
• As the tofu cooks, using a spatula, turn it over, adding the additional marinade. 
• Cook until brown on all sides and the marinade has diminished. 

Recipe FAQS

Now that you know how to prepare, marinate, and cook tofu, you will be a lifelong fan! Try these tofu marinades to liven up your tofu.