Why You Actually Have to Begin Marinating Your Tofu

Relating to taste, tofu doesn’t have the perfect repute. And it’s unsurprising; with out different elements, tofu is fairly bland and missing in taste. However that’s why this wholesome, centuries-old protein is never eaten plain. Relating to tofu, an excellent, flavorful marinade is your greatest buddy. In truth, the proper mixture of seasoning and sauce takes a uninteresting ingredient and transforms it right into a meals you’ll want to eat over and over. Belief us, it’s a sport changer.

Why must you marinate tofu?

By itself, tofu has a really impartial, bland taste—however this isn’t really a nasty factor. Its lack of sturdy taste implies that tofu is the right clean canvas. Its tender, spongy texture implies that it soaks up the flavour of no matter spices or sauces you’re marinating it in fantastically.

It’s price noting right here that it’s at all times price urgent the water out of your tofu as a lot as doable earlier than you marinate it, or decide for an additional agency model. It’s because the upper the water content material, the softer your tofu shall be post-marinade. For extra on how one can press your tofu, comply with our information right here.

In keeping with the tofu web site Tofupedia, you also needs to keep away from utilizing oil in your marinade. “Relying on the quantity of moisture within the tofu, the oil can kind a layer across the tofu, stopping it from absorbing flavors,” it notes. “For instance, when grilling tofu, brush with oil solely after it has been marinated.”

Lastly, should you’re cooking tofu in a soup, stew, or broth, you don’t must marinate it beforehand, as a result of it’s going to take in the flavour from the liquid because it cooks. 

How lengthy must you marinate tofu?

The period of time you’ll want to go away your tofu to marinate relies on the sort you’re utilizing and the way a lot. For those who’re marinating a big block, you would possibly need to contemplate leaving it within the marinade for a number of hours. However should you’re simply cooking with a small quantity, a minimal of quarter-hour ought to do the trick. That mentioned, “for the tastiest outcomes, marinade the tofu in a single day,” Tofupedia advises.

One of the best-marinated tofu recipes

One of the best half about including extra tofu to your food plan is how versatile it’s. The nutrient-dense meals can tackle all kinds of flavors, which means it’s going to at all times match proper into no matter delicacies you’re craving. See under for a few of our favourite methods to devour marinated tofu.

Chrissy Mergogey

1 Tofu Veggie Kebabs

Mix tamari, pineapple juice, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to marinate the tofu for these scrumptious barbecue-friendly veggie kebabs. For greatest outcomes, cowl and refrigerate for round 45 minutes, and ensure to rotate the tofu midway by.
Get the recipe

Lauren Hartmann and Julie Grace

2 Spicy Oven-Fried Tofu

This crispy baked tofu is a scrumptious standalone snack, nevertheless it additionally works nicely on the aspect with vegan mac and cheese, for instance. The marinade is straightforward, simply mix scorching sauce, plant-based milk, agave syrup, and salt with the tofu triangles and go away in a bowl for an hour or extra.
Get the recipe

Bailey Ruskus

3 Rainbow Mandarin Heat Noodle Salad

Coconut aminos (a darkish brown, fermented coconut sauce), miso, and chili garlic paste make up the marinade for the tofu on this scrumptious heat salad with gluten-free Thai-style rice noodles. Combine along with the tofu after which go away within the fridge for 15 to twenty minutes.
Get the recipe

Wade Hammond

4 Spicy Korean BBQ Tofu Satay

This Indonesian-Korean fusion recipe is bursting with taste because of the spicy, wealthy marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, agave, ginger, garlic, and crimson peppers. For greatest outcomes, marinate with the tofu in a single day within the fridge.
Get the recipe

5 Indian-Model Tofu Tikka Skewers

For many who love north Indian tikka, this scrumptious tofu recipe is for you. For final taste, marinate the tofu cubes in a single day in vegan yogurt, tomato paste, garlic, ginger, lime juice, garam masala, paprika, salt, turmeric, crimson chili, and black salt.
Get the recipe

6 Vegan Smoked Teriyaki Salmon Fillet

It’s simple to recreate the flavour and texture of teriyaki salmon with tofu and the proper marinade. Mix collectively torn-up nori sheets, vegetable broth, vinegar, beet juice, miso, garlic, salt, and turmeric, after which go away within the fridge with the tofu for half-hour minimal.
Get the recipe

Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer

7 Tandoori Tofu Skewers

The primary secret to succulent, scrumptious, tandoori vegan skewers is tofu, and the second is, you guessed it, the proper marinade. Combine collectively vegan yogurt, pepper, garlic, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, star anise, tomato paste, and oil, after which go away with the tofu within the fridge for round 4 hours.
Get the recipe