This Easy Marinated Tofu is perfect for all your tofu needs. This marinated tofu can be made with a hint of spice or left plain—either way it still tastes great! Healthy and packed with protein, this marinated tofu accompanies many things very nicely.
Tofu is one of our favorite foods to have on hand! It’s nutrient-packed, hearty, and absorbs flavors well so it can take on a meaty taste. This particular recipe is sweet with a hint of smokey, and the marinated tofu ends up with a great texture. This marinated tofu is easy to make and calls for simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
This tofu also has a great flavor. The marinade combines soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger oil, and black pepper. It gives the tofu its fantastic flavor and makes it a great accompaniment to any dish.
This Easy Marinated Tofu recipe is…
- Simple to make
- Sprinkled with sesame seeds
- Packed with nutrients
- Absolutely delicious
How to Make Easy Marinated Tofu
- Press the tofu to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare the marinade.
- Combine the marinade and tofu in a bowl, cover, and chill for at least one hour.
- After chilling, remove the tofu and proceed to pan-fry or bake.
- Follow the instructions to cook the tofu
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds after the tofu is cooked, serve, and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for Easy Marinated Tofu
Press Tofu First
The first step of this recipe is to remove the moisture from the tofu. This step is imperative to the recipe because it ensures that the tofu can absorb the spices. In addition, this step is critical in achieving the right texture. Pressing the excess moisture out of the tofu will help it to achieve that nice crispy texture.
Make It Spicy
If you enjoy a spicier taste, then add ⅛ tsp of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
Here are a few spicy dishes we love:
- Spicy Cauliflower with Peanut Dip
- Crispy Air Fryer Tofu with Spicy Peanut Sauce
- Spicy Chickpea Stew
Marinade the Tofu
This step makes sure your tofu is tasty! Once you’ve removed the excess moisture, allow the tofu to marinate and soak up the delicious spices and flavors. The longer the tofu marinades the more flavor it absorbs.
Cook Your Way
Whether you enjoy your tofu oven-baked, pan-fried, or stir-fried, this marinated tofu is versatile and easy. Try cooking your tofu with different methods to find which cooking texture you like best.
Extra Crispy Tofu
We love extra crispy tofu! To get your tofu really crispy, brush the tofu lightly with the marinade and continue cooking the tofu for a few minutes longer than the recipe says. The crispy texture of this easy marinated tofu is one of our favorite parts of the dish!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz extra firm tofu
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 1 tbsp ginger peeled and minced
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
Cut the tofu into approximately ½” cubes. Arrange them on a cutting board or other clean, flat surface. Lay a paper towel over the tofu and place a large baking sheet on top. Top the baking sheet with a heavy object—I often use a pot filled with some water to make it heavier. Leave for 15–20 minutes to squeeze out the extra moisture.
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
In a large bowl, combine the tofu and marinade. Toss to evenly coat the tofu. Cover and place in the refrigerator. Allow tofu to marinate for at least one hour.
To bake:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and flip the tofu cubes, brushing lightly with additional marinade. Return to oven for additional 10–15 minutes.
To pan fry:
Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and spray lighly with cooking spray. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side, until golden brown, brushing lightly with additional marinade as you cook for extra flavor.Sprinkle tofu with sesame seeds and serve.
