Marinated tofu is a tasty and versatile protein choice with a standalone appeal or a satisfying protein boost for most meals.

You can use it in salads, wraps, stir-fries, pasta, and other recipes, and it is excellent for last-minute dinners and meal prep.

Thanks to its neutral flavor, tofu takes on well the carefully crafted flavor of the marinade, which we make with yogurt, dried herbs, and spices to coat the tofu with plenty of taste.

What is Marinated tofu?

Marinated tofu with ranch dressing and a green salad

Marinated tofu is an excellent alternative to animal-based protein, similar to our baked tofu, air fryer tofu, tofu meatballs, grilled tofu, and fried tofu.

We borrowed this quick marinade technique from our Tofu Tikka Masala and Vegan Butter Chicken recipes, where bite-size tofu chunks are coated in a thick flavor-packed marinade with yogurt, lemon juice, spices, herbs, and garlic.

Similarly to our BBQ Tofu marinated in BBQ Sauce, the thick marinade sticks to the tofu chunks beautifully, rendering them chewy and delicious.

Hand holding a piece of marinated tofu dipped in ranch dressing

You’ll find yourself using this recipe in all kinds of meals; it’s the perfect protein boost for delicious salads, wholesome soups, and comforting pasta dishes.

Try it dipped in vegan ranch dressing, peanut sauce, or marinara sauce, or add it to one of our easy vegetarian dinners.

You’ll love this recipe because you can make it quickly for a weeknight dinner, as the tofu doesn’t need to sit in the marinade.

Also, it’s excellent for days after it’s cooked, making it the perfect protein choice for meal prep.

Marinated tofu video

Ingredients & Substitutions for Marinated Tofu

marinated tofu ingredients

Quantities are in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Firm Tofu

Use firm or extra firm tofu for the best texture. Avoid silken or soft tofu; they’ll fall apart as you toss them in the marinade.

We don’t press the tofu before tossing it in the marinade as we prefer the texture that hasn’t been pressed.

MARINADE INGREDIENTS

Yogurt

We recommend a thick Greek-style yogurt (there are non-dairy options available) so that it sticks to the tofu.

Olive oil

Olive oil or extra virgin olive oil helps the spices release their fragrance and stick to the tofu as they bake.

Substitute avocado oil or another vegetable oil for olive oil.

Lemon juice

We use freshly squeezed lemon juice for acidity. It makes the other flavors more interesting.

Substitute lime juice for lemon.

Soy sauce

Soy sauce adds a rich, savory flavor.

Substitute tamari sauce or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free.

Garlic

We recommend fresh grated garlic for a zesty garlic aroma.

Substitute one teaspoon of garlic powder for fresh garlic.

Salt and Black pepper

We use sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Spices and Herbs

  • Onion powder
  • Smoked paprika or liquid smoke.
  • Dried dill
  • Dried oregano

Note: Take our spices and herbs as a recommendation, and feel free to customize them based on your taste.

You can make an Indian-inspired marinated tofu by adding grated ginger, garam masala, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder to the basic marinade. Please find the full recipe in our Tofu Tikka Masala post.

Marinated tofu with lemon and parsley and a silver fork

How to Make Marinated Tofu

US cups + grams measurements in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

Make the tofu marinade

Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

To a large mixing bowl, add all the marinade ingredients: Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt, olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, grated garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, dried dill, and dried oregano.

glass bowl with herbs, spices and yogurt

Stir until well combined.

hands holding a spatula and mixing a yogurt marinade in a bowl

Add the tofu

Drain the firm or extra tofu from its package and pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

Tip: We don’t find it necessary to press tofu, but if you like, you can do so.

hands pressing tofu with kitchen paper

Break the tofu apart with your hands into bite-size pieces and add it to the bowl with the marinade.

Tip: The rugged surface of hand-pulled tofu makes it easy for the marinade to stick.

hands breaking tofu pieces apart into marinade

Gently toss the tofu in the marinade until fully coated.

Tip: You can bake the tofu immediately or let it rest in the marinade for up to 30 minutes. You won’t notice a difference in taste.

tofu chunks mixed in yogurt marinade in a glass bowl

Bake the marinated tofu

Arrange the marinated tofu chunks on a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Marinated tofu chunks on a baking tray

Bake in the oven at 400°F or 200°C for 30 minutes or until the tofu is golden brown.

Marinated tofu after baking with charred edges

Serving Suggestions

Marinated tofu is delicious on its own or next to pasta or rice with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Marinated tofu with lemon slices and fresh parsley

You can also serve it next to a simple side salad with warm pita bread, a drizzle of vegan ranch dressing, and quick pickled red onions.

Other dips and sauces that work well with marinated tofu are:

Marinated tofu dipped in vegan ranch dressing with pickled red onions and a fork

Variations

Indian-style marinated tofu

Marinated tofu tikka masala on lettuce

We use this variation of marinated tofu for our delicious Tofu Tikka Masala, but the resulting marinated recipe is also excellent as a standalone meal.

Tofu Tikka Masala is marinated in India. Paneer is a cheese with a neutral flavor that reminds us of tofu.

Marinade ingredients for 16 ounces or 500 grams of firm tofu.

  • ½ cup (120 grams) Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil swap avocado or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 inch (2 cm) ginger grated
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala or curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or chili powder

BBQ Sauce marinated tofu

how to serve bbq tofu

BBQ sauce-marinated tofu is meaty and packed with flavor. It’s delicious to make a BBQ tofu burger with coleslaw salad.

Check out our BBQ tofu recipe.

Soy sauce marinated tofu

diced marinated tofu served on rice

You can make a simple soy sauce marinade if you are not into yogurt marinades.

Marinade ingredients for 16 ounces or 500 grams of firm tofu.

  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or another dried herb
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 twists black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch optional

Toss the tofu in the marinade and bake it in a preheated oven at 400°F or 200°C for 30 minutes or in an air fryer at 400°F or 200°C for 10 minutes.

air fried marinated tofu.

Tips

Break the tofu apart with your hands: this makes it easier to make bite-size pieces with an uneven, rugged, and porous surface that helps the marinade stick, making the tofu more flavorful.

Make a thick marinade: since tofu doesn’t absorb flavor, most of the taste will be from the marinade. To make the marinade stick, make it thick. You can thicken a marinade with Greek-style yogurt (non-dairy options are available) or with cornstarch.

Marinated tofu with lemon and parsley and a silver fork

Questions

What does marinating mean?

According to the book “Professional Cooking” by Wayne Gisslen, to marinate means to soak a food product in a seasoned liquid.

Marinades are usually used for meats, fish, and vegetables, but more recently, they have been applied to tofu, tempeh, and other protein-rich plant-based products.

Why do we marinate food?

We marinate foods to flavor and tenderize a product.

Since marinades contain at least one acidic ingredient (lemon juice, vinegar, wine), we could damage our product (especially tofu) if we marinate for too long.

For instance, we noticed that marinating for more than 30 minutes starts making the tofu softer, which is not the result we want since the tofu is already more tender than meat.

What should be in a marinade?

Marinades are made up of 3 main categories of ingredients: oils, acid, and flavorings, and it’s advisable to use all three.

Oils: olive oil, sesame oil, or any other vegetable oil.

Acids: lemon juice, vinegar, wines, and beers.

Flavorings: herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or spices such as pepper, cumin, ginger, garlic powder, garlic cloves, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Even sugar, maple syrup, agave syrup, and soy sauce are used to add flavor.

How long should I marinate tofu?

Tofu doesn’t absorb flavor, so there is no need to let it sit in the marinade. We recommend cooking it right after tossing it in the marinade.

What’s essential is preparing the tofu so that the marinade sticks to it when you cook it.

To do so, break the tofu apart with your hands so that each piece has a rugged, uneven surface to allow the marinade to stick.

Also, make a thick marinade by adding a thick yogurt or cornstarch.

hands holding a glass bowl with tofu chunks and a yogurt marinade

Storage & Make Ahead

Make ahead: Marinated tofu is an excellent recipe for meal prep as it keeps well in the fridge for 4 days. Note that reheated marinated tofu is chewier than freshly made marinated tofu.

Refrigerator: Keep it in an airtight container for 4 days.

Freezer: Transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for 3 months.

Thaw & Reheat: defrost in the fridge for a few hours. Warm it in the microwave for 2 minutes.

More Tofu Dinners

Quick Tofu Recipes

Marinated tofu with lemon slices and fresh parsley with hand holding a fork

Marinated Tofu

By: Nico Pallotta
4.94 from 16 votes
Marinated tofu is a tasty and versatile protein choice with a standalone appeal or a satisfying protein boost for most meals.
You can use it in salads, wraps, stir-fries, pasta, and other recipes, and it is excellent for last-minute dinners and meal prep.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces tofu firm or extra firm
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt or Greek-style non-dairy yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 twists black pepper

Instructions 

MAKE TOFU MARINADE

  • Preheat oven to 400°F or 200°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    To a large mixing bowl, add ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon dried dill, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 twists black pepper.
    Stir until combined.
    hands holding a spatula and mixing a yogurt marinade in a bowl

ADD TOFU CHUNKS

  • Pat dry 16 ounces tofu with kitchen paper.
    Break the tofu apart with your hands into bite-size pieces and add it to the bowl with the marinade.
    hands breaking tofu pieces apart into marinade
  • Gently toss the tofu in the marinade until fully coated.
    tofu chunks mixed in yogurt marinade in a glass bowl

BAKE MARINATED TOFU

  • Arrange tofu chunks on a single layer on prepared baking tray.
    Bake at 400°F or 200°C for 30 minutes or until the tofu is golden brown.
    Marinated tofu after baking with charred edges

MAKE IT A MEAL

  • Serve it next to a simple side salad with warm pita bread, a drizzle of vegan ranch dressing, and quick pickled red onions.
    All recipes in "Serving Suggestions" chapter linked in the notes below.
    Marinated tofu dipped in vegan ranch dressing with pickled red onions and a fork

Video

Marinated Tofu: a Fail-proof Protein Choice

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of marinated tofu out of 4 servings made with Greek-style non-dairy yogurt.
STORAGE & MAKE AHEAD
Make ahead: Marinated tofu is an excellent recipe for meal prep as it keeps well in the fridge for 4 days. Note that reheated marinated tofu is chewier than freshly made marinated tofu.
Refrigerator: Keep it in an airtight container for 4 days.
Freezer: Transfer to a freezer-friendly container and freeze for 3 months.
Thaw & Reheat: defrost in the fridge for a few hours. Warm it in the microwave for 2 minutes.
ALSO ON THIS PAGE
 

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Potassium: 59mg, Dietary Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 268IU, Vitamin B6: 0.1mg, Vitamin C: 6mg, Vitamin E: 1mg, Vitamin K: 5µg, Calcium: 197mg, Folate: 4µg, Iron: 2mg, Manganese: 0.1mg, Magnesium: 7mg, Zinc: 0.1mg
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If you liked this marinated tofu, you might also enjoy:


Nico and Louise in the kitchen

Hi! We are Nico & Louise

Welcome to The Plant-Based School, a food blog with easy, tasty, and wholesome recipes.

Our aim is to help you and your family eat more veggies through delicious recipes with simple ingredients.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This is seriously one of the best ways to cook tofu that I’ve ever eaten! So easy to make and absolutely delicious. I will be making this regularly. Thanks for sharing it!

    1. Fantastic, Maggie – I’m delighted you enjoyed the tofu, YAY!!

      Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment here 🎉

      Kindest, Louise

  2. I loved the previous recipe for marinated tofu before you updated it. Would you please put the old recipe back on your website