• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Kathy's Vegan Kitchen
  • Recipes
  • Categories
    • Vegan Entrees
    • Breakfast
    • Sandwiches
    • Small Bites
    • Vegan Desserts
    • Sauces, Dips & Dressings
    • Vegan Sides
    • Soups
    • Salads
    • How-To
    • Our Vegan Life
  • Vegan Reviews
    • Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service
    • Purple Carrot Review
    • Veestro Review
    • Fresh N’ Lean Review
  • About
  • TOP 50 EBOOK
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • ABOUT
  • RECIPES
  • SUBSCRIBE!
  • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • ABOUT
    • RECIPES
    • SUBSCRIBE!
    • COOKBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home / Vegan Entrees

    Tofu Marinade Recipes

    Published: Feb 24, 2025 · Modified: Feb 24, 2025 by Kathy Carmichael · This post may contain affiliate links.

    30.2K shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    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 help you become a tofu lover!

    Marinades for Tofu

    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

    Tofu is cut into cubes on the acuttingboard with a knife.
    • 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

    E-Z tofu press

    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.

    Tofu Burger
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Tofu burgers are so easy to make and simply fabulous. Marinated in my favorite burger marinade, tofu burgers are so tasty; they may be your favorite veggie burger—top with my secret sauce or BBQ coleslaw, or top with your favorite toppings.
    Tofu burger
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Easy Vegan Poke Bowl
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Plant-based vegan poke bowls are easy to make and much cheaper at home than at a restaurant. Make your own creative concoction or try this one; you will love it.
    vegan poke bowl
    Check Out This Recipe

    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!

    Vegan Bahn Mi Bowl
    Total Time: 50 minutes mins
    What's a Bahn Mi Bowl? A healthy vegan deconstructed Vietnamese sandwich! Loaded with greens, raw veggies, spicy tofu, brown rice, pickled veggies, and drizzled with a tangy Sriracha vegan mayo dressing.
    Bahn Mi Bowl
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Grilled Tofu With Mango Salsa
    Total Time: 31 minutes mins
    It's chillin' and grillin' time! Grilled tofu is a fresh summery meal! The citrus marinade combined with the mango salsa makes this grilled tofu recipe the perfect meal for a spring or summer night.
    Grilled tofu recipe
    Check Out This Recipe
    Tofu Banh Mi
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    The tofu Banh Mi sandwich is packed with fresh coleslaw of carrots, cabbage, and red onions. Then topped with seared Sriracha tofu and topped with handfuls of cilantro, jalapenos, and crisp cucumber slices with spicy vegan mayo.
    BAHN MI SANDWICH CLOSE UP
    Check Out This Recipe

    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.

    Lemongrass Tofu
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Lemongrass tofu is the perfect topping for salads, noodle bowls, inside a wrap or in a rice bowl.
    Lemongrass Tofu Recipe

    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.

    Vegan Spicy Thai Drunken Noodles with Seared Tofu
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Savory, sweet, and spicy, drunken noodles are a simple, few ingredient recipe for making oil-free Thai food at home. Add some seared tofu some favorite veggies, or eat these savory noodles alone.
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Sweet and Sour Tofu
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Sweet and Sour Tofu Recipe is crispy tofu in a healthy sweet and sour sauce served with sautéed vegetables on a bed of brown rice and then drizzled with extra sauce for added bliss.
    Sweet and Sour Tofu
    Check Out This Recipe

    This lemon tahini marinade is perfect for marinated tofu salad.

    Tofu Salad
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Tofu salad is a cold summer salad with grilled tofu and corn and an array of colorful vegetables and herbs, topped with toasted blanched almonds, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries, dressed in a lemon tahini vinaigrette.
    Tofu Salad
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Tofu Feta Cheese
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Tofu feta cheese is great to add to salads, sandwiches, and a perfect topping for pasta dishes. Or, eat it with your favorite Mediterranean vegan nosh board.
    Check Out This Recipe

    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.

    Vegan Jerk Tofu
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Jamaican grilled jerk tofu is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Crispy on the outside and delicate on the inside, jerk tofu is wonderful in a Caribbean bowl, sandwich, wrap, or salad topper if you don't eat it all before you decide how to eat it.
    vegan jerk tofu bowl
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    BBQ Tofu Sandwich Recipe
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    BBQ season is here and BBQ tofu is a great entree, sandwich, or salad topping. Marinated in homemade BBQ sauce and grilled to perfection, BBQ tofu is a great summer meal.
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Vegan Korean Tofu
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Korean tofu is a sweet yet slightly spicy, crispy grilled tofu recipe. Crispy on the outside with the usual soft tofu texture inside, this sweet, tangy tofu can be added to a dish to add a slight tanginess to your next meal.
    korean tofu recipe
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Tofu with Peanut Sauce
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Tofu with peanut sauce is marinated in a Thai peanut dressing and grilled to perfection. Perfect for a bowl, stir fry, sandwich or as a meal on its own, tofu with peanut sauce is savory and delicious.
    Tofu with Peanut Sauce
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Teriyaki Tofu
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    Teriyaki Tofu is sweet, tangy, and savory served on a bed of brown rice, with kale, edamame, snap peas, baby bell peppers, greens onions, and fresh pineapple, topped with homemade teriyaki sauce.
    Teriyaki tofu bowl
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Grilled Maple & Stone Ground Mustard Tofu
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    With this tasty maple syrup and stone ground mustard marinade, tofu is transformed into a mouth watering addition to any salad, sandwich, or pasta dish.
    HARVEST TOFU

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

    Tofu Nuggets
    Total Time: 26 minutes mins
    Tofu nuggets are a party in your mouth. Air-fried or baked, these bite-sized nuggets are a perfect entree or snack. They are so easy to make and even easier to eat! The kids LOVE them! And wait until is taste the sauce!
    Tofu Nuggets
    Check Out This 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.

    Orange Tofu
    Total Time: 40 minutes mins
    Orange tofu recipe is marinated in a tangy orange sauce and grilled to perfection, then added to a bowl of red quinoa and stir-fried vegetables.
    orange tofu recipe close up
    Check Out This Recipe

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

    Miso Stir Fry
    Total Time: 30 minutes mins
    If you loved buttered noodles as a kid, this miso stir fry recipe is calling your name. Make it simple with miso noodles, or add vegetables and tofu for an incredible miso stir fry meal.
    miso stir fry
    Check Out This Recipe

    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

    What flavors go well with tofu?

    Since tofu is porous, it can easily absorb any flavor surrounding it, making it ideal for seasoning and marinating. 

    What is the healthiest way to cook tofu?

    I think the healthiest (and easiest) way to cook tofu is by grilling it. And there's very little mess. 

    What is tofu made of?

    Tofu -- or bean curd -- is made by pressing curdling soy milk into a solid block. Some tofu is firm, while others are soft and smooth.

    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.

    Kathy Carmichael

    Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

    www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/

    Get FREE Recipes In Your Inbox :)

    I'll Send You New Recipes When I Post!

    Invalid email address
    We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
    Free Recipes On The Way! :)- Kathy

    More Vegan Entrees

    • Spicy Peanut Noodles Recipe
      Spicy Peanut Noodles
    • Pineapple fried rice Recipe
      Pineapple Fried Rice
    • superfood salad recipe
      Superfood Salad
    • Quick and Easy Southwest Coleslaw

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Leave a reply below! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Tamme Young

      July 10, 2022 at 9:05 am

      Looking for book of tofu marinades.. also a tofu Ruben recipe that used nutritional yeast..

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        July 10, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        Hi Tamme, I have a post for Tofu Marinade Recipes and I have a recipe for a Vegan Reuben is that what you wanted?

        Reply
    2. Pamela Scott

      January 13, 2022 at 8:17 am

      I’m finally a tofu lover thanks to you! I made the marinade for the slaw and tofu. Both were big hits with the family.

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        January 13, 2022 at 2:23 pm

        Hi Pamela, YAY! I didn't like tofu until I failed many times. I love it now too 🙂

        Reply
    3. Carol Valderrama

      December 01, 2021 at 5:55 pm

      Do you have a marinade for scrambled tofu? Carol

      Reply
      • Kathy Carmichael

        December 02, 2021 at 7:06 am

        Hi Carol, I have three different tofu scramble recipes that include the seasonings rather than a marinade. I include black salt, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion salt. Here is an example: https://www.kathysvegankitchen.com/mediterranean-tofu-scramble/
        I hope this is helpful.

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kathy! I love creating delicious whole foods plant-based recipes. I believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet!

    More about me →

    Light and Delicious Vegan Spring Food Recipes

    • White Bean Avocado Sandwich Recipe
    • creamy mushroom pasta
      Creamy Mushroom Pasta
    • Vegan Minestrone Recipe
      Vegan Minestrone Soup Recipe
    • chickpea artichoke salad
      Artichoke Chickpea Salad
    • Mediterranean Salad With Chickpeas recipe
      Mediterranean Salad with Chickpeas
    • Lentil burger recipe
      The Best Lentil Burger Recipe

    Top 50 Recipes Cookbook

    Popular Vegan Dishes

    • vegans tir fry recipe
      The Best Vegan Stir Fry
    • mango salad
      Simple Mango Kale Salad
    • lentil meatloaf
      The Best Vegan Meatloaf
    • vegan chicken salad
      Best Vegan Chicken Salad
    • easy bean salad recipe
      Bean Salad With Oil Free Dressing
    • vegan drunken noodles recipe
      Easy Vegan Drunken Noodles

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Affiliate Policy

    Cookbook

    • My Top 50 Recipe Cookbook!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Made with ♥️ in Arizona.

    Copyright © Kathy's Vegan Kitchen :)

    30202 shares