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Home » Recipes

Tofu Marinade (Easy & Oil-Free)

Published: 15 Jul 2022 · Updated: 15 Jul 2022 by Julianne Lynch · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 11 Comments

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Tofu marinade pin.
Marinated tofu pin.
Marinated tofu pin.

This quick and easy Tofu Marinade is absolutely delicious! The paprika, maple syrup, and cayenne combine for a perfect flavor combo that's lightly sweet with a little kick of spice. Use the leftover liquid for a sauce, and you have a Marinated Tofu recipe that's sure to become a new staple.

Marinated tofu in a bowl next to chopsticks.
Crispy marinated tofu is the perfect protein for any meal.

This Marinated Tofu is a great example of don't judge a recipe by it's ingredients. I know that at first glance the thought of maple syrup, paprika, and cayenne might seem... odd. But trust me when I say it is a flavor combo you don't want to miss out on!

Something about this sweet and spicy just hits. Not only does it help infuse the tofu with flavor, but once you use the leftover liquid to make a sauce... deliciousness ensues!

Even though this recipe takes some time to marinade, the work invovled is realtively simple. Just whisk the ingredients, toss in the cubed tofu, and let everything marinade until you're ready to prepare it. Just a few minutes in the skillet and you're done!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Troubleshooting
  • Variations
  • Equipment
  • How to Serve
  • Storage
  • Top tip
  • Related Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
Marinated tofu.
This tofu marinade is flavorful and delicious!

You'll love this recipe because it's:

  • Quick & Easy
  • Sweet & Lightly Spicy
  • Vegan / Vegetarian
  • High-protein
  • Easy to make Gluten-Free
  • WFPB
  • Simple & Delicious!

Tofu marinade ingredients.
Here's what you need to make this easy tofu marinade.

Ingredients

  • super firm tofu: This is the firmest type of tofu. It comes vacuum sealed with just a small amount of water and doesn't need to be pressed. If you can only find firm tofu, be sure to press it for 15 to 30 minutes first.
  • water
  • maple syrup: For sweetness. Agave syrup could also be used, but I prefer the maple syrup in this recipe.
  • soy sauce: This just adds a little depth and saltiness to the dish.
  • paprika: This spice is the star of the dish! It adds a unique flavor that makes this dish what it is. In a pinch you could try smoked paprika if that's all you have, but the flavor will be quite different.
  • garlic powder: Because galric is everything.
  • cayenne pepper--This adds a small kick of spice. If you're a spice level zero, then just leave it out. And if you prefer things extra spicy, double it.
  • cornstarch: This will help thicken up the sauce. Arrowroot powder can also be used.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

This simple and quick marinade comes together in minutes and is full of flavor! Here's how it's done!

Tofu marinade and cubed tofu on a cutting board.

Cube the tofu. Mix all of the other marinade ingredients (except the cornstarch) in a shallow dish.

Tofu in marinade.

Add the cubed tofu to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.

Cook marinated tofu in skillet.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer the tofu to a skillet. Set the marinade liquid aside. (Don't discard!) Cook the tofu in a skillet over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until it's crispy and browned.

Marinated tofu in skillet with sauce.

Remove the tofu from the skillet. Whisk the cornstarch with the leftover marinade. Add the marinade to the skillet and cook over low heat until it thickens up (1 to 3 minutes). Add the tofu back to the skillet and mix with the sauce. Serve right away!

Troubleshooting

  • Why was my tofu spongy? For this recipe, I recommend using super firm tofu. If you can't find that, you will need to use extra-firm tofu that has been pressed.

Variations

See my Korean Tofu for an even spicier tofu dish. And for something more kid-friendly, check out this BBQ Tofu.

It would be possible to cook the tofu in the air fryer (400F or 200C for 12 to 15 minutes), but then you'd still need to use the skillet to thicken the sauce, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Equipment

This recipe doesn't require any special equipment. You'll need a cutting board and knife for cubing the tofu, a whisk and some kind of shallow dish for making the marinade, and a good nonstick skillet for cooking.

All of my favorite products and kitchen tools can be found in my Amazon shop.


Hand picking up a cube of marinated tofu with chopsticks.
You'll love this sweet and spicy tofu marinade.

How to Serve

This marinated tofu can be served as an appetizer or main course. If you're serving it as your main protein, I like to pair it with a starch (like rice or potatoes) and a veggie. Some sides that pair well are air fryer broccoli, air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer greens beans, mashed potatoes, vegan mac and cheese, and oven fries.

If you have cold leftovers, this tofu would also make a great topping for a salad or buddha bowl.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Top tip

Save time by using super firm tofu, which comes vacuum-sealed and doesn't need to be pressed.

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📖 Recipe

Best tofu marinade recipe.

Tofu Marinade (Easy & Oil-Free)

This quick and easy Tofu Marinade is absolutely delicious! The paprika, maple syrup, and cayenne combine for a perfect flavor combo that's lightly sweet with a little kick of spice. Use the leftover liquid for a sauce, and you have a Marinated Tofu recipe that's sure to become a new staple.
4.67 from 15 votes
Print Recipe Share on Facebook Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Marinade Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 129 kcal

Equipment

ROYAL CRAFT WOOD Extra Larg...Shop on Amazon
Cutting Board
HENCKELS Classic Razor-Shar...Shop on Amazon
knife
Pyrex Basics 2 Quart Glass ...Shop on Amazon
baking dish
12" Stone Frying Pan by Oze...Shop on Amazon
skillet

Ingredients
 
 

  • 14 oz super firm tofu
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Cube the tofu and set aside.
  • Add the water, maple syrup, soy sauce, paprika, garlic, and cayenne pepper to a shallow dish and whisk to combine. Add the cubed tofu to the marinade, cover, and place in the refrigerator. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  • When the tofu is done marinating, use a slotted spoon to transfer the tofu to a skillet. Set the marinade liquid aside for later. (Don't discard!)
  • Cook the tofu over medium heat, flipping occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tofu is crispy and browned on most sides. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.
  • Add the cornstarch to the leftover marinade liquid and whisk to combine. Add the marinade to the empty skillet and whisk over medium-low heat for 1 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens up. Add the tofu back to the skillet and stir until the tofu is coated in the sauce.
  • Serve and enjoy right away!
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Notes

  • I recommend using super firm tofu, which comes vacuum sealed and doesn't need to be pressed. If you want to use extra-firm tofu, you will need to press the tofu for 15 to 20 minutes before you begin. (To press the tofu, take it out of the packaging, wrap it in a few paper towels, place it on a cutting board or plate, and something heavy on top).

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 9gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 570mgPotassium: 247mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 57mgIron: 2mg
Keyword marinated tofu, tofu marinade
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Comments

    4.67 from 15 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Julie says

    July 18, 2022 at 2:41 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so good! Thank you for posting it!

    Reply
    • Julianne Lynch says

      July 19, 2022 at 8:40 am

      Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it!!

      Reply
      • Samantha V. says

        November 03, 2022 at 10:40 pm

        2 stars
        I'm not sure what happened but I followed this recipe 100% and didn't care for it at all, very strange taste and I absolutely love tofu and make it often. I probably won't be making this again but everyone is different. Others seem to really like it so I will recommend giving it a try.

        Reply
        • Julianne Lynch says

          November 07, 2022 at 10:35 am

          Thanks for trying it out!

          Reply
  2. Colleen says

    July 21, 2022 at 12:26 am

    5 stars
    What a fantastic recipe. I only used 2 teaspoons paprika which was enough for me. This is my new favorite tofu.

    Reply
    • Julianne Lynch says

      July 21, 2022 at 6:19 am

      Awesome! I'm so glad you liked it and were able to adjust it to your preferences.

      Reply
  3. Melody says

    January 16, 2023 at 3:07 am

    5 stars
    I made this wonderful recipe but instead of cooking in a skillet, i over baked it for 30 minutes, flipping them after 15 minutes. It was delicious. Definitely will make this again. I also used smoked paprika instead of regular paprika and loved it.

    Reply
    • Julianne Lynch says

      January 16, 2023 at 9:43 am

      Sounds great! I'm so glad you liked it!

      Reply
      • Melody says

        February 16, 2023 at 2:41 am

        5 stars
        I meant to say "oven baked" in my previous post. Sorry about the typo.

        Reply
  4. Melanie says

    April 10, 2023 at 10:23 pm

    5 stars
    Kudos to you, Julianne! I've been plant based for well over 2 years and have been trying to like tofu the entire time. I've tried many different recipes but didn't like any. I don't use oil and I thought that was the problem.
    I'm THRILLED to have found this recipe! SO easy and very tasty. I'll be making this on a regular basis. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Julianne Lynch says

      April 11, 2023 at 7:08 am

      Yay!! I'm so glad you liked it!!

      Reply
Julianne, founder of No Sweat Vegan.

Hi, I'm Julianne! A dedicated home chef for over 20 years and a vegan recipe developer since 2020. I love creating simple and comforting vegan food for the whole family. Most of my recipes are quick, Whole-Foods Plant-Based, and easy on the budget. Thanks for stopping by!

You can also find me at AirFryerVeg.com.

More about me →

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