In relation to taste, tofu doesn’t have the very best popularity. And it’s unsurprising; with out different substances, tofu is fairly bland and missing in taste. However that’s why this wholesome, centuries-old protein isn’t eaten plain. In relation to tofu, a great, flavorful marinade is your greatest good friend. In truth, the best mixture of seasoning and sauce takes a boring ingredient and transforms it right into a meals it would be best to eat again and again. Belief us, it’s a sport changer.
Why must you marinate tofu?
By itself, tofu has a really impartial, bland taste—however this isn’t truly a foul factor. Its lack of robust taste implies that tofu is the right clean canvas. Its comfortable, spongy texture implies that it soaks up the flavour of no matter spices or sauces you’re marinating it in superbly.
It’s value noting right here that it’s all the time value urgent the water out of your tofu as a lot as potential earlier than you marinate it, or choose for an additional agency model. It is because the upper the water content material, the softer your tofu shall be post-marinade. Learn our information to be taught extra about the advantages of urgent your tofu and easy methods to do it.
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In keeping with the tofu web site Tofupedia, you must also keep away from utilizing oil in your marinade. “Relying on the quantity of moisture within the tofu, the oil can type a layer across the tofu, stopping it from absorbing flavors,” it notes. “For instance, when grilling tofu, brush with oil solely after it has been marinated.”
Lastly, for those who’re cooking tofu in a soup, stew, or broth, you don’t must marinate it beforehand, as a result of it should take in the flavour from the liquid because it cooks.
How lengthy must you marinate tofu?
The period of time you’ll want to depart your tofu to marinate will depend on the sort you’re utilizing and the way a lot. Should you’re marinating a big block, you would possibly need to think about leaving it within the marinade for a number of hours. However for those who’re simply cooking with a small quantity, a minimal of quarter-hour ought to do the trick. That mentioned, “for the tastiest outcomes, marinade the tofu in a single day,” Tofupedia advises.
The most effective-marinated tofu recipes
The most effective half about including extra tofu to your eating regimen is how versatile it’s. The nutrient-dense meals can tackle all kinds of flavors, that means it should all the time match proper into no matter delicacies you’re craving. See under for a few of our favourite methods to devour marinated tofu.
Chrissy Mergogey
1 Tofu Veggie Kebabs
Mix tamari, pineapple juice, maple syrup, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil to marinate the tofu for these scrumptious barbecue-friendly veggie kebabs. For greatest outcomes, cowl and refrigerate for round 45 minutes, and ensure to rotate the tofu midway via.
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Lauren Hartmann and Julie Grace
2 Spicy Oven-Fried Tofu
This crispy baked tofu is a scrumptious standalone snack, nevertheless it additionally works effectively on the aspect with vegan mac and cheese, for instance. The marinade is straightforward, simply mix scorching sauce, plant-based milk, agave syrup, and salt with the tofu triangles and go away in a bowl for an hour or extra.
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Bailey Ruskus
3 Rainbow Mandarin Heat Noodle Salad
Coconut aminos (a darkish brown, fermented coconut sauce), miso, and chili garlic paste make up the marinade for the tofu on this scrumptious heat salad with gluten-free Thai-style rice noodles. Combine along with the tofu after which go away within the fridge for 15 to twenty minutes.
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Wade Hammond
4 Spicy Korean BBQ Tofu Satay
This Indonesian-Korean fusion recipe is bursting with taste due to the spicy, wealthy marinade of soy sauce, rice vinegar, agave, ginger, garlic, and crimson peppers. For greatest outcomes, marinate with the tofu in a single day within the fridge.
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5 Indian-Fashion Tofu Tikka Skewers
For individuals who love north Indian tikka, this scrumptious tofu recipe is for you. For final taste, marinate the tofu cubes in a single day in vegan yogurt, tomato paste, garlic, ginger, lime juice, garam masala, paprika, salt, turmeric, crimson chili, and black salt.
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6 Vegan Smoked Teriyaki Salmon Fillet
It’s simple to recreate the flavour and texture of teriyaki salmon with tofu and the best marinade. Mix collectively torn-up nori sheets, vegetable broth, vinegar, beet juice, miso, garlic, salt, and turmeric, after which go away within the fridge with the tofu for half-hour minimal.
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Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer
7 Tandoori Tofu Skewers
The primary secret to succulent, scrumptious, tandoori vegan skewers is tofu, and the second is, you guessed it, the best marinade. Combine collectively vegan yogurt, pepper, garlic, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, salt, star anise, tomato paste, and oil, after which go away with the tofu within the fridge for round 4 hours.
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Charlotte is a VegNews editor and author primarily based in sunny Southsea on England’s southern coast.