Looks like we’re back to basics for this post. This has got to be one of my most used recipes to date. I use this tofu in so so so many dishes from noodle stir-frys, to stuffed peppers, to dumplings…you name it. Today I’m going to show you how to make easy flavorful baked tofu.
Tips for Marinating Tofu
The trick to getting super flavorful tofu is how long you marinate it. Let’s say you have the best-tasting marinade. If you throw it on the tofu right before baking it, the tofu will have some flavor, but not as much as it could have. Marinating the tofu for an hour or two prior to baking helps create a full-bodied flavor. This marinade gets so much flavor from the sesame oil, garlic, and sambal oelek.
The marinade for this recipe is super savory with a hint of sweet and spicy. Using some type of oil, salt and a touch of sweetener helps create the best umami flavor. To make the tofu even more flavor-packed, I recommend cutting it into fairly small cubes. (about ½ an inch should do the trick). The smaller the tofu is cut, the more surface area there is for the marinade to penetrate. This means a ton more flavor.
How to Bake this Flavorful Tofu
After marinating the tofu for at least 30 minutes in the fridge, it’s time to bake it up! Be sure to spread the tofu out in a single layer on a sheet pan. This will help crisp up the cubes faster and more evenly. I like to bake my tofus at a pretty high temp. This helps add a bit of char to them which creates another deep level of flavor and texture.
This tofu is:
Easy
Delicious
Versatile
And flavorful!
If you’re looking for more plant-based meat alternatives like this easy flavorful baked tofu, you should check out these recipes!
How to Make the Best Vegan ‘Beef’
How to Make Perfect Vegan ‘Chicken’
Happy Cooking!
Easy Flavorful Baked Tofu
This versatile, perfect flavor-packed baked tofu has the absolute best savory marinade and goes well in tons of different recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 block tofu, extra firm, diced into ½ inch cubes
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp mirin
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ⅛ tsp sambal oelek
- ¼ tsp sriracha
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp agave
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the sesame oil, mirin, soy sauce, sambal oelek, sriracha, garlic, and agave.
- Add in the diced tofu. Gently mix the marinade and tofu together until all the cubes are coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate the tofu in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, preferably over 1 hour for the best flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- On a parchment lined baking pan, spread out the tofu until they are in one layer.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges of the tofu cubes are slightly charred.
Notes
- The smaller you cut up the tofu, the more surface area there will be for the marinade to soak into. This means more flavor!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 119Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 595mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g
Nutritional info is an estimate.
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