Easy Marinated Tofu

This Easy Marinated Tofu is perfect for all your tofu needs. This marinated tofu can be made with a hint of spice or left plain—either way it still tastes great! Healthy and packed with protein, this marinated tofu accompanies many things very nicely.

This Easy Marinated Tofu recipe is…

• Simple to make
• Sprinkled with sesame seeds
• Packed with nutrients
• Absolutely delicious

How to Make Easy Marinated Tofu

• Press the tofu to remove excess moisture.
• Prepare the marinade.
• Combine the marinade and tofu in a bowl, cover, and chill for at least one hour.
• After chilling, remove the tofu and proceed to pan-fry or bake.
• Follow the instructions to cook the tofu
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds after the tofu is cooked, serve, and enjoy!

Tips & Tricks for Easy Marinated Tofu

Press Tofu First

The first step of this recipe is to remove the moisture from the tofu. This step is imperative to the recipe because it ensures that the tofu can absorb the spices. In addition, this step is critical in achieving the right texture. Pressing the excess moisture out of the tofu will help it to achieve that nice crispy texture.

Make It Spicy

If you enjoy a spicier taste, then add ⅛ tsp of cayenne pepper to the marinade.
Here are a few spicy dishes we love:

Recipe

Ingredients

• 16 oz extra firm tofu
• ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
• 1 tbsp ginger peeled and minced
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Instructions

• Cut the tofu into approximately ½” cubes. Arrange them on a cutting board or other clean, flat surface. Lay a paper towel over the tofu and place a large baking sheet on top. Top the baking sheet with a heavy object—I often use a pot filled with some water to make it heavier. Leave for 15–20 minutes to squeeze out the extra moisture.
  
• In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
  
• In a large bowl, combine the tofu and marinade. Toss to evenly coat the tofu. Cover and place in the refrigerator. Allow tofu to marinate for at least one hour.
• Remove the tofu from the marinade with a slotted spoon, but do not discard the marinade liquid yet. Toss the marinated tofu with the sesame seeds. Proceed with baking or pan frying the tofu, according to instructions below.

To bake:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange the tofu cubes in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and flip the tofu cubes, brushing lightly with additional marinade. Return to oven for additional 10–15 minutes.

To pan fry:

• Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and spray lighly with cooking spray. Add the tofu cubes and cook for 3–5 minutes on each side, until golden brown, brushing lightly with additional marinade as you cook for extra flavor.
• Sprinkle tofu with sesame seeds and serve.
  

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