The Best Tofu Recipe (2024)

The best marinated tofu recipe uses firm tofu marinated in simple ingredients like soy sauce, lemon juice, and maple syrup! If you’ve struggled to find any tofu recipes you love, you need to give this one a try!

The Best Tofu Recipe (1)

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Tofu haters stick around. This recipe is guaranteed to make a lover out of you.

It took me a long time to get on the tofu train. Mashed soy bean curd? I’m not so sure about this.

Pretty much anything new can be scary, and tofu was no different. No one wants to feel like a fool messing up dinner because you just didn’t know what you were doing.

The Best Tofu Recipe (2)

Whether you’re new to this or not, you’re in luck. You’re about to learn what you need to know to not only rock an easy tofu recipe, but rock it good.

How to press tofu

The first thing you need to do is drain the water. Not just from the box, but also from the block of actual tofu.

To do this you can use a tofu press(<- affiliate link), or go the cheap-o method like me and press your tofu without a press. Slice it in half (like a book). Place a clean kitchen towel or a few paper towels on a plate or cutting board, place one of the tofu slabs on top, top with a couple more paper towels, the other tofu slab, and a few more paper towels.

The Best Tofu Recipe (3)

Then place something heavy on top to squeeze out all the water. I put the big jar of sugar that sits on my kitchen counter inside a large skillet and set it on top. Let it press for 30-60 minutes.

If you’re in a rush you can get away with 10-30 minutes. I usually do 30 minutes, I’m just letting you know this is a flexible scenario, you’re doing great, and I think you’re really attractive. Let’s keep going.

How to marinate tofu with the best tofu marinade

Next you have to marinate the tofu. Now that the water is gone, your tofu is free to soak up all sorts of flavor!

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I’ve included my favorite marinade below, or you can find another to change up the flavor for different purposes.

How long to marinate tofu

Cut the tofu into squares, then let them rest in the marinade inside a shallow bowl or baking dish for 15-20 minutes, flipping once.

How to cook tofu

Tofu is safe to eat raw, but the texture improves greatly with frying, so cook it to desired crispiness without worrying about getting to a safe temperature. Woo hoo!

See, tofu isn’t as crazy as you may have thought. My kids will even eat it from time to time.

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Tips for customizing the best marinated tofu

  • Add more sriracha to the marinade or drizzle it on when serving for extra heat
  • Serve with brown rice and oven roasted broccoli or snow peas for a healthy, balanced meal
  • Serve with Mai Fun noodles and finely shredded carrots, radishes, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, cilantro, and chopped peanuts
  • After marinating toss with cornstarch to make the best crispy tofu
  • Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving
  • Use it to make a tofu wrap for an easy, healthy lunch!

My best tofu recipe is gluten free and vegan! Just make sure you use tamari instead of soy sauce and check your spices for gluten contamination.

More tofu recipes

  • Pan Fried Peanut Tofu
  • Cajun Tofu
  • Cajun Tofu Wraps
  • Fettuccine Alfredo with Cajun Tofu
  • Balsamic Tofu
  • Scrambled Tofu
  • Pesto Tofu
  • Vegan Ham
The Best Tofu Recipe (6)

Be sure to tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagramif you make this recipe so I can give you a virtual pat on the back!

Do you want to join a community of people who love meatless meals? You’re invited to join the Meatless Recipes and Tips Facebook Group!

The Best Tofu Recipe (7)

Recipe

The Best Tofu Recipe (8)

The Best Marinated Tofu Recipe

The best tofu recipe is marinated in simple pantry ingredients and also happens to be vegan and gluten free. It's so easy to make and is sure to make you fall in love with tofu!

4.16 from 98 votes

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 110kcal

Author: Lindsay Moe

Ingredients

  • 14 ounces extra firm tofu, drained, pressed, and sliced into about 24 squares
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 teaspoons sriracha
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine tofu, tamari, lemon juice, maple syrup, sriracha, and garlic powder, stirring gently to coat. Let marinate 15-20 minutes, stirring gently once or twice.

  • Heat coconut oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add tofu and fry 2-3 minutes per side until crisp and golden. Add any leftover marinade to the pan and cook, stirring, one minute more.

  • Remove tofu from the pan and serve as desired.

Notes

How to press tofu

Use a tofu press, or slice the tofu in half like a book, then stack on a plate with a few sheets of paper towels around both halves. Place something heavy like a cast iron skillet on top and let press 10-60 minutes. The longer you press, the more firm the tofu will be.

Tips for customizing

  • Add more sriracha to the marinade or drizzle it on when serving for extra heat
  • Serve with brown rice and oven roasted broccoli or snow peas for a healthy, balanced meal
  • Serve with Mai Fun noodles and finely shredded carrots, radishes, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, cilantro, and chopped peanuts
  • After marinating toss with cornstarch to make the best crispy tofu
  • Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds before serving
  • Use it to make a tofu wrap for an easy, healthy lunch!

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 817mg | Potassium: 230mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin C: 2.9mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

The Best Tofu Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the tastiest way to make tofu? ›

Coat it in garlic, black pepper, salt (plus more of your favourite seasonings), liquid aminos and some olive oil. Then mix it into some cornstarch and toss it all together, then bake for about 20 minutes. Cornstarch also helps to draw out excess moisture so it really gets the tofu crispy.

What not to mix with tofu? ›

What to not serve with tofu? According to studies, a high volume consumption of tofu and spinach together can increase your risk of kidney stones. Tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively and the combined can form kidney stones.

How do you get the most flavor out of tofu? ›

12 Ways To Add More Flavor To Tofu
  1. Press tofu to help it absorb flavor. Nungning20/Shutterstock. ...
  2. Coat tofu in starch before cooking. ...
  3. Season tofu more than you think. ...
  4. Use a marinade. ...
  5. Toss it in a sauce. ...
  6. Find inspiration from other foods. ...
  7. Roast tofu for tasty caramelization. ...
  8. Try deep frying your tofu.
Jan 7, 2024

How do you cook tofu so it's not rubbery? ›

MILLION DOLLAR TOFU TIP: Don't overcook your tofu! Overcooked tofu is rubbery and dry (not great). In my experience, newbies to eating tofu prefer a firmer tofu texture (well done) at first. To achieve that, cook the tofu for a few extra minutes or cut it into smaller tofu cubes which creates a firmer, meaty texture.

How to cook tofu like a pro? ›

Baking tofu is a hands-off way to make it crispy.
  1. Press the tofu to eliminate as much water as possible, at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.
  2. Marinate the tofu for at least 30 minutes to infuse it with flavor. ...
  3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  4. Pat the tofu dry. ...
  5. Cut the tofu into cubes or planks.
May 11, 2022

What is the secret to cooking tofu? ›

Tofu contains a large amount of water when it comes out of the package. In order to bake, fry, or scramble tofu, it's best to press out as much water as possible before cooking. The longer you press your tofu, the firmer the texture will be and the easier it will be to achieve a nice crispy texture.

Why can't you eat spinach and tofu together? ›

As tofu and spinach contain calcium and oxalic acid respectively, the combination of the two will form kidney stones. But in fact, only prolonged and volumionous consumption of tofu and spinach at the same time will pose this risk.

Is it OK to eat eggs with tofu? ›

Quick, easy, and healthy, Tofu and Eggs is the perfect meal for any weeknight dinner!

What pairs well with tofu? ›

Best Vegan Side Dishes for Grilled Tofu at a Barbecue or Cookout
  • Vegan Dill Potato Salad with Fiddleheads (No Mayo) ...
  • Herb Grilled Vegetables. ...
  • Vegan Spinach Salad Recipe with Maple Balsamic Dressing. ...
  • Fresh Tomato Lime Salad Dressing with Cilantro. ...
  • Salad with Beans, Quinoa, Rice, and Pecans and Lemon Herb Dressing.
Jul 12, 2021

Why is my tofu so tasteless? ›

Not Using Enough Seasoning

"Coat tofu generously in herbs, spices, and sauces. You can marinate it before or after cooking, just make sure you use plenty of seasonings like ginger and garlic, soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, green onions, vinegar, cajun seasoning, and other strong flavors," she says.

What should I marinate tofu in? ›

In a mixing bowl or measuring cup with a spout, whisk together the marinade: soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, ginger, and Sriracha. Drizzle over the tofu. If any pieces look bare, turn them over in the marinade a few times so all of the sides are coated.

Why does my tofu have no flavor? ›

Plain tofu has no specific flavor and is honestly, quite bland. This might be why people tend to hate it but the fact that it's bland is exactly why we should LOVE it. The texture of tofu is more important than the taste- all the different types of tofu have different textures.

How to cook tofu for beginners? ›

This is quite simple. We'll simply preheat the oven to 425F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the tofu (minus the excess marinade) that's been coated in our starch onto the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

What happens if you don't drain tofu before cooking? ›

Here's the thing: even though tofu might be labeled firm or extra-firm, it contains a lot of water. This excess water can cause the tofu to crumble when you cook it, and it will also have a hard time crisping up. But when you press tofu, you remove the excess moisture.

Why doesn't my tofu get crispy? ›

2) Squeeze out as much moisture as possible.

Water-logged tofu never gets super crispy. The key here is to slice the tofu into pieces before pressing it. Have you ever tried pressing a whole block, or even two halves? They just sit in soggy puddles.

Is it better to fry or bake tofu? ›

Baked, Not Fried.

My method for baking tofu produces tofu that's chewy, but it's cooked in the oven, making it much healthier.

Does homemade tofu taste better? ›

It's much tastier than store-bought tofu.

That's because preservatives, coagulants, and extra ingredients added for uniform texture can easily drive out the natural, earthy soy flavor, My says. Homemade tofu can be made with just soybeans, water, and table salt when you reuse soy whey as a coagulant.

Does boiling tofu make it taste better? ›

Heat, however, helps the flavours to permeate. Boiling tofu to obtain a more reliably solid texture and to impart flavour is not a new method, but it's not commonly used in Western styles of cooking. This method of seasoning tofu is suitable for varying levels of firmness, but not for silken or soft tofu.

Can you make tofu taste like anything? ›

Because you can create whatever you want out of it! The flavor of tofu won't matter because whatever marinade you add, it soaks it up! It takes on the flavor of whatever your heart desires. Once you nail the texture, you're going to have so much fun creating new and fun dishes that make tofu taste good.

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