Tofu Marinade

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5 from 5 votes
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My family swears this is the best tofu marinade recipe ever. It’s made with 4 ingredients and instantly transforms tofu into a savory, tangy, flavorful protein option!

tofu marinade.

Need more marinade recipes? Try my 4-ingredient chicken marinade, 3-ingredient steak marinade, or fajita marinade next. 

Table of Contents
  1. Why I love this recipe
  2. Key ingredients
  3. How to make tofu marinade
  4. Arman’s recipe tips
  5. Frequently asked questions
  6. Tofu Marinade (Recipe Card)
  7. Dishes to use marinated tofu

Tofu is, unfortunately, known for being rather flavorless or, heaven forbid, boring. To that, I say nonsense! 

We cook with it every week at home because it acts like a sponge, soaking up all the flavors you want to throw at it. As much as we love my salt and pepper tofu recipe, I wanted to come up with a quick marinade that I could always rely on to make a flavorful dinner. Friends, I dare say I’ve done it!

Why I love this recipe

  • Made with 4 ingredients. And they’re all simple Asian pantry staples. 
  • It hits all the flavors. It’s salty, umami, and savory. 
  • Flexible. Customize the 4 ingredients to suit your taste buds, or try one of my suggested additions below.
  • Versatile. Once the tofu has been marinated, I love adding it to a bok choy stir-fry or spicy noodles, or anything you like.

Key ingredients

  • Sesame oil. This gives the marinade a subtle nutty flavor. I prefer the stronger flavor of toasted sesame oil, but if you want a milder flavor, look for untoasted sesame oil. 
  • Soy sauce. I chose to use tamari AND soy sauce because soy sauce is saltier and stronger in flavor, which helps penetrate into the tofu. Use low-sodium soy sauce if needed. 
  • Tamari. This adds depth and complexity. 
  • Garlic. I strongly prefer using fresh garlic cloves for this recipe as the flavor is more pronounced and aromatic. If you only have garlic powder, reduce the amount to ¼ teaspoon. 

How to make tofu marinade

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Whisk. Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined. 

how to marinate tofu.

Marinate. Marinate the tofu, then cook as desired. 

marinated tofu.

A quick guide to cooking marinated tofu

There are multiple ways to cook your marinated tofu. Here are some of my favorite methods. 

Pan fried tofu: Add the marinated tofu to an oiled skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until they start to brown on the bottom. Flip and continue cooking until all sides are browned. 

Crispy baked tofu: Lay the marinated tofu cubes on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes, flipping once halfway through. 

Air fryer tofu: Lay the marinated tofu pieces in an even layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 375F for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. 

Grilled BBQ tofu: Heat the grill and grease the grill grates or grill pan. Place the marinated tofu onto the grates and grill each side for 3 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until golden brown.

Arman’s recipe tips

  • Use the right kind of tofu. Not all tofu is created equal, which is why I strongly recommend using firm or extra-firm tofu. Soft or silken tofu will fall apart in the marinade. 
  • Press the tofu. The more liquid removed from the tofu, the better the marinade will stick to it. I like to slice the tofu in half, wrap it in paper towels, and sandwich it between two heavy plates. 
  • Toss several times. We want the tofu to be flavorful with every bite, so turn the tofu several times while marinating it. 
  • Only marinate up to 4 hours. Any longer and the tofu will become mushy. 

Frequently asked questions

Do you put cornstarch on tofu before or after the marinade?

If you want to use cornstarch to make crispy tofu, you’ll want to toss the tofu in it after marinating so the exterior is no longer moist. 

marinade for tofu.
tofu marinade recipe.

Tofu Marinade

5 from 5 votes
This easy tofu marinade recipe transforms plain tofu into a delicious dish. Made with just 4 ingredients, it works with all kinds of tofu.
Servings: 4 servings
Prep: 1 minute
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 2 minutes

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Whisk all the ingredients together until combined. 
  • Add to your tofu and let it sit for 20 minutes or up to 4 hours before cooking. 

Notes

TO STORE: Keep the unused marinade in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week. 
TO FREEZE: Freeze the marinade in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight before using.
Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free soy sauce, but keep the tamari because it’s naturally gluten-free!
Spicy tofu marinade. Add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes or hot sauce. 
Sweet tofu marinade. Add 2 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup to balance out the savory elements. 
Add some acidic element. Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar or lemon juice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 44kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSodium: 253mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 0.2gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.2mgNET CARBS: 3g
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Asian
Author: Arman Liew
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!

Dishes to use marinated tofu

Originally published April 2023, updated and republished December 2024

Arman Liew

I’m a two time cookbook author, photographer, and writer, and passionate about creating easy and healthier recipes. I believe you don’t need to be experienced in the kitchen to make good food using simple ingredients that most importantly, taste delicious.

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