How to Marinate Tofu

Tofu just screams for a good marinade. It absorbs any flavors you want, which makes it perfect for your favorite combination. Learn how to marinate tofu perfectly here.

On its own, tofu is super bland, so it’s just begging to be marinated. There’s a little extra prep work for marinating tofu, but it’s so easy you’ll be a tofu pro in no time. Just follow these simple steps.

Step#1

Drain and press your tofu. Cut open the package and drain out the water. Put a double layer of paper towels (or use a clean tea towel) onto a plate.

Step#2

Put your tofu block on top of the paper towels.

Step#3

Add another double layer of paper towels (or use another clean tea towel).

Step#4

Put another plate on top, then set something heavy on top (we used a giant bag of soybeans).

Step#5

Press for at least 15 minutes, and up to an hour.

Step#6

Slice your tofu and put it in a baking dish. Cut the tofu into the final size you’ll want. We butterflied the tofu block, then cut the slabs into rectangles, but you may want squares or a finer dice. Add the tofu pieces to a baking pan in an even layer.

Step#7

Add the marinade. Add ¾ to 1 cup of your favorite marinade to the baking pan. Flip the tofu pieces once to coat.

Step#8

Cover and refrigerate. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and pop the pan in the fridge. You will want to marinate it for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. Flip the tofu periodically (every 15-30 minutes) to make sure the pieces marinate evenly.

Step#9

Cook your tofu. Cook the tofu however you like. We pan-fried them in a cast iron skillet, but you can bake the tofu on a parchment-lined sheet baking sheet at 400°F.

How to Marinate Tofu

Tofu just screams for a good marinade. It absorbs any flavors you want, which makes it perfect for your favorite combination. Learn how to marinate tofu perfectly here.

• Author: Maria Siriano

Ingredients

• 1 package firm tofu
• 3/4 to 1 cup favorite marinade or salad dressing

Instructions

1. Cut open the package of tofu and drain out the water. Put a double layer of paper towels (or use a clean tea towel) onto a plate. Put your tofu block on top of the paper towels. Add another double layer of paper towels (or use another clean tea towel). Put another plate on top, then set something heavy on top (we used a giant bag of soybeans). Press for at least 15 minutes, and up to an hour.
2. Slice your tofu and put it in a baking dish. Cut the tofu into the final size you’ll want. We butterflied the tofu block, then cut the slabs into rectangles, but you may want squares or a finer dice. Add the tofu pieces to a baking pan in an even layer.
3. Add the marinade. Flip the tofu pieces once to coat.
4. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and pop the pan in the fridge. You will want to marinate it for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to 8 hours. Flip the tofu periodically (every 15-30 minutes) to make sure the pieces marinate evenly.
5. Cook the tofu however you like. We pan-fried them in a cast iron skillet, but you can bake the tofu on a parchment-lined sheet baking sheet at 400°F.

Maria Siriano

Somewhere among the towers of batter-smeared mixing bowls, you'll find a flour-covered Maria making unique seasonal desserts for her blog, Sift and Whisk. Although she never quite got the hang of the clean-as-you-go technique, she has still managed to elevate her baking skills far beyond “add oil, water, and eggs.” She makes a killer pie, if she does say so herself.

More Posts By Maria →