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    Home » Recipes » Main Course

    Easy Marinated Tofu (Oil-Free)

    Published: Jan 11, 2022 . Modified: Apr 25, 2022 by Allie

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

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    This easy marinated and baked tofu is super flavorful and oil-free.  It’s very versatile, so adjust the added flavor components to suite your preference, or it’s also tasty with just tamari and maple syrup.

    baked marinated tofu on a baking tray

    How to Press Tofu

    A very common way to buy tofu is packed in water, but if your tofu is vacuumed packed and not packed in much water you can probably skip the pressing step.

    I use a tofu press; to extract the excess water from the tofu. Place the tofu in the press, turn the press side ways so the water can drain out (depending on your tofu press you may not need to), and place it on plate or in a baking dish to catch the liquid.

    If you don’t have a tofu press, simply wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel then place the tofu on a plate to catch any liquid that the towel doesn’t absorb, then place a heavy pot on top of the tofu to squeeze out more liquid. 

    Another option is to use a plate (or cutting board) then place canned goods on the plate to put pressure on the tofu.  You want to remove the liquid so it will absorb the marinade.

    Let the tofu sit and drain for about 30 minutes. It can also be left in the refrigerator overnight to remove any excess liquid. 

    How to Make Easy Marinated Tofu

    Drain the tofu, then press for 20-30 minutes. 

    tofu in a tofu press

    Then pat dry with a paper towel.

    use a paper towel to remove moisture from tofu

    Preheat the oven 350 F (180 C) and mix the marinade together. Then slice the tofu into ¼-1/2 inch slices. Then place the tofu in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.

    tofu with marinade poured over it

    Flip the tofu slices around in the marinade to make sure they’re covered in the sauce.  

    tofu covered in marinade

    Let the tofu marinate for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even marinating. Line a baking tray with a silicone mat or parchment paper and evenly space the tofu so it's not overlapping.

    marinated tofu on a baking try

    Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. The finished tofu will have firmed up and turned golden brown.

    baked marinated tofu on a baking tray

    Tips for the Marinated Tofu Recipe

    • Look for firm or extra firm tofu in the refrigerated section at your grocery store, not the silken tofu found in the shelf-stable aseptic containers.
    • The tofu can be marinated overnight.
    • If you can’t find tamari, low sodium soy sauce works well.  I don’t use regular soy sauce because it’s too salty.

    Storage

    The tofu can be made in advance and stored in an air tight container for 4-5 days.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Leave the tofu as slabs for sandwiches
    • Slice smaller for spring rolls
    • Cut into cubes for stir fry
    • Add it to vegan sushi bowl
    • Add it to vegetable fried rice
    • Add it to vegan peanut noodles
    • Serve it as the main with sides

    Need More Tofu or Tempeh Recipes?

    • Crispy Oven Baked Tofu (oil-free)
    • Spicy Tofu Scramble
    • Hatch Green Chile Tofu Scramble
    • Peanut Tempeh Bowl
    • Mustard Tempeh Buddha Bowl
    • Tofu Nourish Bowl with Peanut Sauce

    I hope you enjoy this oil-free baked marinated tofu recipe! 

    Print
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    baked marinated tofu on a baking tray

    Easy Marinated Tofu (Oil-Free)


    • Author: Allie
    • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    This easy marinated and baked tofu is super flavorful and oil-free.  It’s very versatile, so adjust the added flavor components to suite your preference, or it’s also tasty with just tamari and maple syrup.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 (12 ounce) package Firm or Extra firm tofu
    • ¼ cup tablespoons tamari or low sodium soy sauce
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon sambal oelek (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Drain the tofu, then press for 20-30 minutes.  Then pat dry with a paper towel.
    2. Preheat the oven 350 F (180 C).
    3. Mix the marinade together.
    4. Slice the tofu into ¼-1/2 inch slabs.
    5. Place the tofu slabs in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it, flipping the tofu slices to make sure they’re covered in the sauce.
    6. Let the tofu marinate for 20-30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even marinating.
    7. Line a baking tray with a silicone mat or parchment paper and lay the tofu evenly spaced on the tray.
    8. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
    9. The finished tofu will have firmed up and turned golden brown.

    Equipment

    Image of tofu press

    tofu press

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    Notes

    • If you can’t find tamari, low sodium soy sauce works well.  I don’t use regular soy sauce because it’s too salty.
    • Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (includes pressing tofu)
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Category: main course
    • Method: oven
    • Cuisine: American, Asian

    Keywords: oil free tofu marinade, baked tofu easy, tofu marinade

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    Hi, I'm Allie! I love cooking and I want to share my simple plant-based meals with you. Eating this way doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Just simply delicious!

    More about me →

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