Tofu Marinade 3 Ways

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This easy, tofu marinade recipe gives you 3 different ways to amp up the flavor of your next tofu dish! If you’re in a spicy mood, you may want to go with the Mexican option. For some classic Asian flavors you have a choice between teriyaki and savory umami. Check them out below.

3 tofu marinades in small bowls with spoons.

We commonly use marinades for tofu because it is very mild and without it, tofu would taste extremely bland! The best part is, tofu soaks up these flavors quickly, so it doesn’t take long to transform it into something delicious!

Overall, marinating tofu helps to turn its blank canvas into a flavorful and enjoyable protein source in any dish.

Some of the dishes you can amp up the flavor of tofu in are a tofu stir fry served over rice, noodles or vegetables, vegetarian glazed tofu, oven-baked tofu, grilled tofu slices for burgers, etc.

It all starts with a marinade and then you can take it in whatever cooking direction you please. Enjoy!

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Tofu Marinade Ingredients
How to Marinate Tofu
Tip for Crispy Tofu
What to Do With Leftover Tofu Marinade
Tofu Marinade FAQs
More Delicious Sauce Recipes For Marinating
📋Recipe

Tofu Marinade Ingredients

1. Mexican Tofu Marinade

Mexican tofu marinade in a small bowl with a spoon, tofu in the background.

canola oil - Or another vegetable oil.
lime juice - Freshly squeezed is best.
spicy chili sauce - Such as sriracha sauce.
Mexican blend seasoning - Or taco seasoning spice mix that includes spices like cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, oregano etc. (without cornstarch).
sugar - I use white sugar but a good alternative would be agave nectar.
fresh cilantro - Optional.

2. Teriyaki Tofu Marinade

Teriyaki tofu marinade in a small bowl with a spoon, tofu in the background.

soy sauce - I use regular soy sauce.
sesame oil - From toasted sesame seeds for best flavor.
orange juice - Freshly squeezed or prepared orange juice will work.
brown sugar - You can substitute with honey or white sugar but I find that brown sugar is the best for teriyaki.
ginger - Use fresh ginger that has been peeled.
garlic - Minced.
sesame seeds - Can use white sesame seeds or a mix of white and black.

3. Umami Tofu Marinade

Umami tofu marinade in a small bowl with a spoon, tofu in the background.

vegetable broth - I use vegetable broth as a vegan-friendly option for this marinade, but make sure to double-check the ingredient list on the package to ensure it’s completely plant-based.
brown miso paste - There are different types of miso paste like white and red, but I use brown in this marinade. Brown miso paste is made from soy beans and brown rice.
soy sauce - For salty, umami flavor.
umami powder - The kind I use is a natural flavoring from mushrooms and you can find it easily online.
dried nori flakes - Nori flakes are made from seaweed and they are delicious. You might have seen nori used on rice crackers or in Asian soups such as kimchi tofu soup.

*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

How to Marinate Tofu

Simply whisk together the tofu marinade of your choice.
Slice the tofu and add to marinade in a zip-top bag or container with a lid.
Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, or up to 4 hours if you have the time.
When you are ready to cook the tofu, remove it from the marinade.

3 tofu marinades in small bowls with spoons, tofu on the side.

Tip for Crispy Tofu

Organic Raw Soy Tofu on a Wooden Background.

If you want your tofu to be extra crispy and really absorb that marinade, there is a trick to removing some of the moisture before slicing:

Remove the tofu from the water it is packed in.
On a cutting board, place the tofu between a few pieces of paper towel and place a baking sheet on top.
Place something heavy, like a cast iron skillet, on top of the baking sheet to apply pressure (you don’t want it to be too heavy or the tofu will crumble).
Let it rest for 20-30 minutes to remove some of the excess liquid.
Keep an eye on the paper towels and if they are soaked, replace them with fresh ones.
Continue to slice, marinate and cook as desired.

There are also tofu presses available.

What to Do With Leftover Tofu Marinade

If you have leftover marinade, it needs to be discarded or cooked. After marinating, it may contain harmful bacteria. If you choose to cook the marinade, make sure you boil it for 5 minutes.
Keep in mind that boiling it may change the flavor and/or thicken it. You may want to reserve some of the marinade before adding the protein if you plan on using it as a sauce or for another use. Marinade that hasn’t been used can be refrigerated or frozen.
You can also cook it with the tofu dish: After frying your crispy tofu in the pan, you can add some of the leftover marinade to the pan and stir fry it with the tofu for extra flavor.

Tofu Marinade FAQs

Are the marinades vegan friendly?

If you are following a vegan diet, no need to worry as all three marinades are vegan-friendly. Some people question whether or not nori flakes are vegan because oyster shells are used to attach nori seedlings to nets early in the process.

Seaweed is placed in the category of sea vegetables and during production, animal by-products are not involved. Sources like PETA view nori seaweed as a healthy, vegan food product. If you are still concerned, you may want to ask the manufacturer what their processes are or simply omit the nori flakes.

How long does tofu marinade last in the fridge?

Marinade that hasn’t been used can be refrigerated for up to 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.

Can you freeze the marinades?

Yes! They can be frozen for up to 6 months. Make sure to thaw them in the fridge.

More Delicious Sauce Recipes For Marinating

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