I love tofu! However, I hate paying for pre marinated tofu. It's way more expensive and often has added preservatives, plus the smaller servings means you end up using way more packaging. If you are running out of inspiration, here are a few recipes for some creative marinades to mix up your tofu a little
Teriyaki
This is my go to tofu recipe. It is versatile and tasty, with just the right amount of kick, but not too punchy that it clashes with other flavours.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed chilli
1 teaspoon ginger paste
Honey, Soy and Garlic
This is another classic. Perfect for skewers loaded with veggies too
Ingredients
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon garlic
Easy Satay
I love me some satay tofu! The Woolworths one in particular is some of the tastiest tofu I have ever had! However, it is so much more expensive than plain tofu, and comes in smaller packs which means more plastic waste, which I am not cool with. Luckily, I have found a satay recipe that is easy and a pretty good substitute for the store bought version
Ingredients
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon peanut butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
1 teaspoon crushed chilli
1 teaspoon brown sugar
Honey Sesame
This is a nice sweet marinade which would be perfect with rice and veggies. Think Honey chicken, but the tofu version.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons mirin
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Mixed Herb
This is another one that is great for salads and wraps. I particularly like it with greek inspired dishes.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon mixed dried herbs
1 teaspoon mustard (I like seeded)
Coriander and Lime
This recipe is zesty and subtle. It's great for fresh salads or to use in wraps with tomato and feta cheese. Yum!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon minced garlic
pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander
Smokey Barbecue
The key to getting a delicious smokey flavour for this marinade is the smoked paprika. It's really easy to find in the supermarket too.
Ingredients
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey
Spicy Mexican
This one has a few extra ingredients but so worth it! perfect for tacos, wraps and burritos, or with my mexican beans and rice recipe. If you want to be cheeky, you could just use taco or fajita mix, but where's the fun in that?
Ingredients
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vinegar
1-2 teaspoons crushed chilli
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
How do I marinate tofu?
If you are new to tofu, there are a few ways you can prepare it. You should definitely cut it before marinating. That helps the flavours penetrate the tofu. I like to cut mine into 2cm cubes. You can cut them into slices for a burger, strips for wraps, or smaller pieces to use in recipes such as fried rice. Once you have your desired shape, place your tofu in an airtight container, cover with the marinade and give it a thorough but gentle shake to cover all the pieces.
How long should I marinate tofu?
This depends. I used to always think that longer is better, but now I reckon any longer than overnight is excessive. I prepare my tofu the day before I intend to cook it, and leave it in the fridge to soak up all that goodness! I have marinated tofu in the morning to cook later that night however, and it turned out fine.
How should I cook my tofu?
I like to bake my tofu in the oven on silicone sheets. I think it gives it a nice firm texture without burning the marinade. I usually give it about 20 minutes at 180 degrees. You can also pan fry it, but it takes a lot more turning and watching. I'm not lazy per se, I'm efficient! And oven baking is definitely the easier option. You can also cook it in the air fryer if you have one.
So there you have it. If you are stuck in the same boring routine with your tofu, try one of these recipes to mix things up. And if you are a meat eater, why not give tofu a try. It's heart healthy and delicious!