Name: Tofu Marinade 3 Ways
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup lime juice; 2 tablespoons spicy chili sauce; 2 tablespoons Mexican blend seasoning; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (chopped); Salt (to taste); 1/3 cup soy sauce; 1/3 cup sesame oil; 1/3 cup orange juice; 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey; 1 tablespoon ginger (grated); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional); 3/4 cup vegetable broth; 1/3 cup brown miso paste; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1/2 teaspoon umami powder; 1/4 cup dried nori flakes

Jump to Recipe

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.

Table of Contents

Tofu Marinade Ingredients

1. Mexican Marinade

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

canola oil
lime juice
spicy chili sauce
Mexican blend seasoning
sugar
fresh cilantro

2. Teriyaki Marinade

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

soy sauce
sesame oil
orange juice
brown sugar or honey
ginger
garlic
sesame seeds

3. Umami Marinade

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

vegetable broth
brown miso paste
soy sauce
umami powder
dried nori flakes

How to Make & Use the Marinades

Simply whisk together the marinade of your choice.
Slice the tofu and add to marinade in a ziptop bag or container with a lid.
Marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

Is it 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.

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

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

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 browning your 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.

Which tofu marinade did you like best? Let me know in the comments and please share the recipe!

Tofu Marinade 3 Ways