Lemon Garlic Marinated Tofu
This Lemon Garlic Marinated Tofu is loaded with fresh tangy and savory flavors, making it the perfect addition to any bowl, salad or wrap. Easy to make and perfect for your weekly plant-based meal prep.
I eat this tofu straight from the jar. No shame. And if you aren’t well versed in tofu, you may find it strange to eat raw tofu. However, this is actually a very common thing especially if you look at cold tofu dishes served in various East Asian cultures.
What it comes down to is flavor. If you prep and flavor your tofu right, you will not hesitate to eat it, I promise. And for this tofu we are relying on a lot of amazing umami flavor from both miso paste and nutritional yeast along with some herbs and aromatics to bring out the best possible flavor in our tofu.
Why You’ll Love This Marinated Tofu
- Easy to make. You just need an airtight container and bowl or measuring cup to whisk together the marinade.
- Made with healthy ingredients. The marinade is made with wholesome basic vegan pantry staples and the tofu is packed with more plant-based protein.
- Budget friendly. If you are looking for something umami-rich to replace your cheese, this can be a satisfying option that is cheaper than buying vegan cheese alternatives.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
- Tofu: I recommend using extra firm tofu that is pressed and drained. You can also make this with super firm tofu if you prefer not to press it or if you are looking for higher protein per serving.
- Miso Paste: I recommend milder miso options like white or yellow miso. Red miso paste will make the flavor of the marinade too strong.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice is preferred.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This type of vinegar is preferred, but you can also make this with white wine vinegar too. Other vinegars may make the marinade too strongly acidic in flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh is best. Make sure to crush the garlic with a garlic press as this will help the garlic infuse more flavor into the marinade.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Helps improve the mouthfeel of the tofu. Opt for good quality finishing oils as they will also lend more flavor to the marinade.
- Dry Herbs: I used a combination of oregano and basil, but feel free to use a variety of herbs that you enjoy.
- Nutritional Yeast: Helps to add more umami flavor to the tofu marinade.
How to Make Marinated Tofu
Cut your tofu into small 1/2 inch cubes and place into an airtight container with salt. Seal container and shake to coat tofu then set to the side.
To a small bowl or large measuring cup, add the remaining marinade ingredients. Whisk to combine until smooth and no lumps of miso paste remain. Then, pour on top of the tofu in the container.
Give the container a nice shake to coat and place in the fridge to marinade overnight or longer in the fridge. Then it’s ready to use.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to press your tofu. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu block in paper towels and place between two plates with a heavy object pressed over top. Pressing for 15 to 30 minutes is plenty.
- Cut the tofu into small cubes. This will ensure that each piece of tofu properly absorbs the flavor from the marinade.
- Allow the tofu to properly marinate. I recommend marinating the tofu for at least 12 to 48 hours for the maximum flavor.
- Enjoy hot or cold. I personally love using it straight out of the jar to use in bowls, salads or wraps, but you can also pan-fry or bake it if you prefer.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the beauty of this recipe, you can enjoy it cold and uncooked. It maintains a perfectly chewy texture and helps to add tangy, umami loaded flavor to bowls and wraps similar to what you get from adding a briny cheese. If you prefer, you can also cook this by pan frying or baking as desired.
Keep the tofu with the marinade in a clean airtight container for up to 7 days. When removing tofu for use, make sure to use clean utensils as this will help keep the tofu fresh longer.
Ideally, marinating overnight will help to infuse a good amount of flavor. As the tofu continues to sit, it will continue to develop flavor.
How to Serve
This tofu is perfect for topping over fresh salads and tossed into bean salads for extra tang and protein. When this recipe was developed, it was intended to also be paired in this Chickpea Tofu Wrap, but it works in any wrap you love.
More Delicious Tofu Recipes to Try
- Tofu Cabbage Stir Fry
- Grilled Vegan Caesar Salad with Crispy Tofu Croutons
- Peanut BBQ Grilled Tofu Skewers
- Vegan Pesto Sandwich with Crispy Herb Tofu
- Spicy Chipotle Tofu Bowl
Lemon Garlic Marinated Tofu
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinating Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Sides
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Lemon Garlic Marinated Tofu is loaded with fresh tangy and savory flavors, making it the perfect addition to any bowl, salad or wrap. Easy to make and perfect for your weekly plant-based meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 block (450g) of extra firm or super firm tofu (if extra firm, press and drain)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 1/2 tbsp yellow miso paste
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tsp dry oregano
- 1 tsp dry basil
Instructions
- Cut your tofu into small 1/2 inch cubes and place into an airtight container with salt. Seal container and shake to coat tofu then set to the side.
- To a small bowl or large measuring cup, add garlic, lemon, miso, vinegar, oil, nutritional yeast, oregano, and basil. Whisk to combine until smooth and no lumps of miso paste remain. Then, pour on top of the tofu in the container.
- Give the container a nice shake to coat and place in the fridge to marinade overnight or longer in the fridge. Then it’s ready to use in wraps or on top of salad bowls.
Notes
Make sure to press your tofu. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu block in paper towels and place between two plates with a heavy object pressed over top. Pressing for 15 to 30 minutes is plenty.
Cut the tofu into small cubes. This will ensure that each piece of tofu properly absorbs the flavor from the marinade.
Allow the tofu to properly marinate. I recommend marinating the tofu for at least 12 to 48 hours for the maximum flavor.
Enjoy hot or cold. I personally love using it straight out of the jar to use in bowls, salads or wraps, but you can also pan-fry or bake it if you prefer.
If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, then let me know what you thought in the comments below! And if you loved it, don’t forget to rate it too. Feel free to follow on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for the latest nutrition tips and recipe videos.
★ Catherine
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Hi Catherine! This recipe tastes amazing and it’s so easy to make. I love to add it to wraps and salads. It’s also my new favorite snack. Thank you!
I am so glad to hear that Sasha! Thank you so much for making the tofu. 🙂
Would this work as a feta substitute?
This marinade is SO GOOD! I hope I don’t eat all of the tofu before I get a chance to bake it 😂
This will definitely be on repeat. Thank you!
So glad to hear! Honestly, this tofu is always eaten up quick so I don’t blame you. 😂 Thank you so much for making this.