Marinating Tofu

Marinating tofu is a simple way to liven up and add variety to your dishes.

However, if you are a newcomer to cooking with tofu, you may like to know more about things like - How to marinate tofu? Do you need to press the tofu before cooking? Can marinated tofu be frozen? and other questions.

Keep reading because this post will guide you from start to finish answering the above questions and more, and will have you marinating tofu like a pro in no time!

What Type Of Tofu To Use For Marinades?

The type of tofu best for marinating will depend on the recipe you are making but in most cases, it will be firm tofu.

Firmer types of tofu are better for marinating because they will hold their shape and won't fall apart. 

If a recipe does not state the type of tofu to use in a marinade, we suggest using a firm or extra firm tofu.

Why marinate tofu?

Tofu is bland food so marinating it with different flavors is a great way to enhance its taste.

Tofu acts like a sponge and absorbs any flavors it comes in contact with, making it more flavorful and can be a great way to add variety to your meals.

When To Marinate Tofu?

Marinating tofu is a great way to add flavor to it. However, marination is not required every time.

You don't need to marinate tofu if it will be cooked for some time in things like soups, stews, curries, and other similar wet dishes, because tofu will become flavorful by soaking up the cooking liquids.

However, adding tofu to things like salads, rice bowls, stir-fries, and skewers, serving them as tofu steaks, or using them for sandwiches or wraps then marinating tofu is a great way to bring added flavor to these dishes.

Do You Press Tofu Before Marinating?

Yes, you press tofu before marinating.

Pressing tofu can make a big difference when cooking or marinating it because pressing makes tofu firmer, dense, and dryer.

And this is ideal for marinating and cooking because it will help the tofu hold its shape during cooking and because it is dryer, it will absorb more marinade.

Pressing also helps improve its texture and makes it similar to cooked meat.

Read our post on How To Press Tofu if you have never pressed or drained tofu before.

What About Freezing Tofu Before Marinating?

Freezing tofu will give the tofu a more meaty texture than just pressing alone. 

Also, when the tofu is frozen, the water inside it expands to create little pockets. 

These little pockets of ice crystals break down the structure to make it more porous and sponge-like, which can help the tofu soak up more marinade.

After thawing, you will notice that the tofu is quite wet and it will need pressing to remove excess moisture before putting it into marinades, sauces, or soups.

If you want to know more about freezing tofu, read Can You Freeze Tofu? for more details.

Do You Cut Tofu Before Marinating?

Yes, it is best to cut tofu before marinating! 

Tofu when it is left in one big block it does not soak up as much of the marinade as it would when cut into smaller pieces. 

Cutting tofu into smaller pieces increases the surface area, which allows more of the marinade to soak into the cubes, giving it a better flavor.

How To Cut Tofu For Marinating?

After pressing, cut firm tofu into a shape suitable for what you are making. 

You could cut into cubes, steaks, slices, batons, triangles, or any other shape you wish. 

But be sure to handle the tofu carefully and not cut it too thin so it won't crumble and break apart. 

Can You Marinate Tofu In A Bag?

Yes, you can marinate tofu in a bag.

Marinating in a sealable bag has advantages over using a container.

A sealable bag allows you to fully immerse the tofu in the marinade by expelling the air, which helps evenly coat the tofu and infuse it with flavor. 

Whereas when using a container, the marinade may not completely cover the tofu, which could result in a lack of flavor if you don't turn it several times during marination.

Also, marinating in a sealable bag can save you space in the fridge, especially if you only have large bowls or containers or a very small fridge.

How to expel air from a sealable bag?

The easiest way to expel air from a sealable bag is to immerse it in water.

1. Place the tofu and marinade in a sealable bag.
2. Seal the bag, leaving an opening at one end.
3. Fill a container half full with water. The container should be bigger than the filled bag you are expelling the air from. 
4. Hold the top of the bag (near the opening) and slowly place the bag into the water. 
5. Slowly submerge the bag in the water to expel the air, being careful not to get water inside the bag. 
6. Once all the air has been removed from the bag, then quickly seal the opening to prevent air from getting back into the bag. 
7. Remove the sealed bag from the water, wipe it dry and place it in the fridge to marinate. 

But it does not matter if you use a bag or a container, the main thing is to ensure that the tofu is evenly coated in the marinade to get the best flavor.

How Long Should You Marinate Tofu?

The time for marinating tofu will depend on the type of marinade you use, how thick the tofu is, and how much flavor you want.

Tofu absorbs flavors very well and can be marinated for as little as 30 minutes or 24 hours. 

If the marinade is highly flavored or you are marinating small cubes, thin slices, or crumbled tofu, you may only need to marinate for up to 30 minutes to achieve the flavor you want.

On the other hand, if the marinade is mild, or you are using thicker cuts of tofu, or if you want a pronounced flavor, you may want to marinate the tofu overnight or longer.

Can You Over Marinate Tofu?

Yes, you can marinate tofu for too long. 

Over-marinating will cause the tofu to become mushy or water-logged, which breaks down the proteins in the tofu. 

Softer tofu can be marinated for up to 24 hours and firmer tofu can be marinated for up to 3 days. But if you freeze marinated tofu this does not apply.

Can Marinated Tofu Be Frozen?

Yes, you can freeze marinated tofu. Freezing can help improve the texture by making it firmer.

Freezing tofu is also handy for meal prepping because it can be defrosted and cooked without any further preparation.

However, if you are marinating tofu that has previously been frozen and thawed, it is best not to refreeze this.

To freeze marinated tofu, place the tofu into a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

When ready to use, thaw the tofu in the fridge overnight and cook as you like.

What To Marinate Tofu With?

A good tofu marinade should have a balance of flavors, such as salty, sour, sweet, or spicy. 

It should also have enough liquid to evenly cover the tofu so that it can soak up the flavors. 

Here are some examples of ingredient combinations that could be used for marinating tofu:

• Cilantro Lime Marinade: Lime juice, fresh cilantro (coriander), garlic, and salt.
• Basil Balsamic Marinade: Balsamic vinegar, garlic, dried basil, and salt.
• Garlic Soy Marinade: Soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, garlic powder, paprika.
• Fajita Marinade: Lime juice, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, cumin powder, black pepper, and salt.
• Barbecue Marinade: Barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chili powder, and salt.
• Sweet And Sour Marinade: Soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and ginger powder.
• Peanut Tofu Marinade: Peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, rice wine, maple syrup, garlic, and ginger.
• Teriyaki Marinade: Soy sauce, ginger, garlic maple syrup, and rice vinegar.

Do You Cook Tofu Before Marinating?

If you are looking for ways to add flavor and improve the taste, it is best to marinate tofu before cooking. 

How Do I Cook Marinated Tofu?

After marinating tofu it could be grilled, pan-fried, baked, or sauteed. 

To grill tofu - Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the tofu on a well-oiled grilling rack and cook it for about 5 minutes on each side or until it is lightly brown and crispy on the outside.

To pan fry - Heat a little oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. 

Add the tofu to the pan and cook it on each side until all sides are golden brown and crisp.

To bake - Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Arrange the tofu on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake it for about 20 minutes or until it is crispy and golden brown on the outside.

To sautee - Heat a little oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the tofu to the pan, cook for about 5 minutes, and stir until it is heated and the outside is lightly brown.

How To Marinate Tofu?

Here is a detailed list of how to marinate tofu - there is a printable copy on the recipe card below.

1. Start by pressing the firm tofu to remove excess moisture. Let the tofu press for at least 15 minutes, or up to several hours.
2. While the tofu is being pressed, make the marinade. You can use any marinade that you like.
3. After pressing, cut the tofu into cubes, steaks, batons, triangles, or slices, depending on how you plan to cook it.
4. Place the tofu in a zip lock bag or a shallow dish or container that is large enough to hold all of the tofu in a single layer. Pour the marinade over the tofu and gently toss it to coat all sides.
5. If using a bag squeeze the air out of it and seal it. If using a container or dish, cover it with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours or overnight.
6. When the tofu has finished marinating, remove it from the refrigerator. 
7. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add one to two tablespoons of oil to the pan. When the oil is hot, add the marinated tofu to the pan and cook it until it is golden brown and crispy on all sides.
8. Serve the tofu hot, with rice or noodles, or use it in your favorite tofu recipe. Enjoy!