Easy Tofu Marinades by School Night Vegan

Publised on 22/04/2024. Last Updated on 18/09/2024 by Richard

5 from 6 votes

Four easy tofu marinades that pack a punch including Lemon and Herb, Sesame Gochujang, Sticky BBQ and Soy Lemongrass

Alright pals, today we're diving into the magical world of easy tofu marinades. If you've ever found yourself staring at a block of tofu thinking, "What on Earth do I do with this?", you're in the right place. Tofu, my friends, is like the chameleon of the vegan world; it can become anything you want it to be, with a little bit of imagination and some tasty marinades.

I'm famous for saying (many years ago) that marinades don't work on tofu. But here I am with a huge white flag. I'm just a boy, standing in front of a block of tofu, asking for forgiveness. And as a peace offering, I'm sharing with you the method and recipe for the ONLY four marinades I ever use. From sweet sticky BBQ to the Mediterranean inspired lemon and herb, I've got all your bases covered (or marinated?).

Jump to:

❓Why Use Tofu Marinades?
🫙 Ingredients You'll Need
🥫How to Use Tofu Marinades
🍽️ Does Tofu Need To Be Pressed?
🔥 How to cook tofu?
🤷‍♀️ Vegan Tofu Marinades FAQs
Easy Tofu Marinades

❓Why Use Tofu Marinades?

So, why bother marinating tofu? Tofu's superpower is its ability to soak up any flavour you throw at it. Because of the structure of tofu, it essentially acts like a sponge and soaks up whatever sauce or liquid you cook it in. Tofu marinades are your opportunity to pack that little protein bomb with as much of a kick as possible.

Without a decent tofu marinade, you're essentially starting and finishing the recipe with a blank canvas. Marinades can transform tofu from bland to grand, giving it zest, heat, sweetness, or whatever your recipe (or tummy) calls for. I first got super excited about tofu marinades while developing this Greek Marinated Tofu Bowl for my other food blog All Veg Considered!

Marinades also bring out the versatility of tofu. With the right marinade, tofu can become vegan steak, mock-chicken fajitas or even a fillet of fish! A good soak in a flavour bath helps unlock all these possibilities.

🫙 Ingredients You'll Need

For our tofu transformation, we're gonna need a few key players on our team. Depending on the vibe you're going for, you might reach for lemon and herbs for a fresh, zesty kick, or maybe something with a bit of sass, like my sesame gochujang tofu marinade . Here's a quick rundown of your new marinade squad:

Lemon and Herb: Olive oil, garlic, lemon, thyme, rosemary, parsley, oregano, sea salt, pepper, and water.

Sesame Gochujang: Toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, garlic, gochujang, soy sauce (or tamari for the gluten-free gang), light brown sugar, toasted white sesame seeds, and water.

Soy Lemongrass: Lemongrass, vegetable oil, sesame oil, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, garlic, spring onions, sugar, birdseye chilli, ginger, and water.

Sticky BBQ: Vegetable oil, garlic, vegan Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, light brown sugar, tomato puree, dark soy sauce, and water.

🥫How to Use Tofu Marinades

Let's get down to business. First things first, you gotta press that tofu. Why press tofu? Head to the next section called "Does Tofu Need To Be Pressed?" to find out!

Once your tofu's pressed and ready to party, pick your marinade and mix all those delicious ingredients in a bowl (or whizz them up in a blender if you're in a rush). Pop your tofu in a bowl or a ziplock bag, pour over the marinade, and give it a good toss to make sure every nook and cranny is covered. Then, stash it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, though if you can wait overnight, you're in for an even bigger flavour bomb.

🍽️ Does Tofu Need To Be Pressed?

In a word, yes. I used to think pressing tofu was just for over-achievers, but boy was I wrong. Here's why:

Whether you buy soft or extra firm tofu, it is naturally packed with water. Water-logged tofu is difficult to pack with flavour, since it's already completely saturated with liquid. To make room for all that marvellous tofu marinade, slice your tofu block into four slices (around 1cm thick), lay 'em between some kitchen roll, and give 'em a good, gentle press. You can do this with your hands or set a heavy chopping board on top and leave it to do the hard work.

Some people recommend pressing an entire block of tofu in one go, then slicing afterwards. In my opinion this often results in the tofu falling apart. I've had much more success slicing tofu first, THEN pressing out the moisture.

🔥 How to cook tofu?

The best way to cook tofu is quickly and using a high temperature. This ensures a crispy exterior without drying out the centre. So, once your tofu's had its marinade spa day, it's time to fire up the oven or heat up the frying pan. The beauty of these marinades is you don't need to add extra oil; they've got it all. Whether you're a fan of frying, a believer in baking, or an aficionado of air frying, cook your tofu however you fancy. Just remember, don't ditch the marinade; cook it with the tofu for an extra flavourful punch.

🤷‍♀️ Vegan Tofu Marinades FAQs

Q: Do I need to press tofu before cooking?

A: Unless you're using an extra-firm, pre-pressed variety, pressing tofu is essential to remove excess water, allowing it to absorb marinades or seasonings better and improving its texture. This step is crucial for most cooking methods to achieve a firmer, more satisfying bite.

Q: Can tofu be eaten raw?

A: Absolutely! Tofu can be eaten raw since it's already cooked during the manufacturing process. It's great in salads, smoothies, or as a vegan protein addition to wraps and sandwiches. Just make sure it's fresh and consumed before its expiry date.

Q: How long should tofu marinate?

A: Tofu can marinate for as little as 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator. The longer it marinates, the more flavour it absorbs. However, for very acidic marinades, limit the time to a few hours to prevent the tofu from breaking down - particularly if using silken tofu.

And there you have it, my fellow foodies! Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy (literally, if you're going for the lemon and herb option). Tofu doesn't have to be the boring bit of your meal; with these marinades, it might just steal the show.

Now you're good and hungry for tofu, maybe it's time to try my Air Fryer Tofu Nuggets, my Tofu Bolognese or my Vegan Eggs Benedict?! Loved the BBQ marinade? Try my BBQ Shredded Tofu for a vegan take on pulled pork!