Garlic Ginger Asian Tofu Marinade (2024)

This is just one of the many delicious ways to marinate tofu. There are so many ways to add flavor and texture to a dish with tofu, it really can morph into anything you desire. It can even be dessert!

With all the fancy vegan meat alternatives available nowadays, sometimes it’s nice to keep it simple with tasty and tantalizing tofu. This recipe for ginger garlic tofu is likely to find itself on regular rotation throughout the week and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you!

Why Cook With Tofu

Tofu is such a wonderful food for vegan cooking because it takes on the flavor of whatever you season it with and can take on various textures depending on how it’s prepared and what type of tofu you’re using.

Want savory and sweet? This ginger garlic asian tofu marinade is for you. Like a little spice? Bust out the pepper! Dreaming of deep-fried? Batter up! There are so many different (and delicious) ways to enjoy and prepare this awesome vegan superfood.

This recipe calls for extra firm tofu, which is commonly used for making stir-fries and frying. If you’d like to learn more about all things tofu, check out our comprehensivetofu guide!

Tofu Benefits

Tofu is a great and super tasty way to get your daily dose of amino acids, protein, and other nutrients. One 3.5-ounce serving of tofu contains 8 grams of protein, 31% of the recommended amount of manganese, and high levels of calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and more.

It’s also naturally gluten-free so if you can’t do seitan, tofu makes an amazing and nutritious substitute. If you can’t do soy, you could always tryBurmese tofu!

Star Ingredients

This recipe for asian tofu marinade comes together quickly with just a handful of ingredients! Here are the main ingredients you’ll need plus some quick substitutions.

• Extra-firm tofu: Extra firm and super-firm tofu are perfect for marinating. These firmer tofus are denser and hold less excess moisture, meaning they’ll absorb more of the marinade. Plus, they hold their shape better during the cooking process.
• Garlic cloves: Minced garlic cloves add tons of flavor to this savory dish! For a quick substitute, try garlic powder.
• Fresh ginger: Grated fresh ginger pairs perfectly with garlic to add complexity to the dish and create a unique flavor profile that takes this Asian tofu marinade to the next level!
• Soy sauce: For an umami, salty flavor, soy sauce is a must! If you need a soy-free and gluten-free option, try liquid aminos.
• Lemon: For some acidity, lemon juice packs the perfect punch. Lemon brightens and balances the flavors, making this asian style marinade irresistible!
• Brown sugar: For a touch of sweetness, brown sugar adds just the right amount. Maple syrup or agave syrup can also be used.
• Green onions: Great in both the marinade and for garnishing!

How To Make Marinated Asian Tofu

Step One: Slice tofu into triangles or cubes. For triangles, cut tofu into ⅓ inch thick triangular slices. Transfer to a large casserole dish, and set aside.

Step Two: Make the marinade. In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the tofu. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to absorb, flipping the tofu halfway in-between. For a richer flavor, marinate overnight.

Step Three: When ready to cook, place a large sauté pan over high heat and add a little oil, just enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Add as many tofu slices as will fit in one layer. Cook until tofu is golden brown on the bottom, about 2-3 minutes. Flip the pieces over and brown the other side, about 2 minutes. Pour over the leftover marinade mixture, and cook until tofu darkens slightly, about 45 seconds. Flip tofu and repeat.

Garnish with thinly sliced green onion and enjoy!

How To Serve Tofu

Excited to dig into your tofu but aren’t sure how exactly to enjoy it? Well, lucky you, we’ve got plenty of awesome suggestions ahead! One of the best things about tofu is how well it goes with so many different foods. It’s perfect for batch cooking to enjoy throughout the week and freezes wonderfully. So without further ado, here are our rockin’ recommendations:

• Never Enough Noodles– Noodles and tofu go together like, well, noodles and tofu! The savory, fluffy, comforting texture of noodles pairs perfectly with the more meaty, garlicky ginger tofu. There’s really not much better for a weeknight or weekend pick-me-up than thisTeriyaki Stir Fry Over Noodles. If you can’t get enough peanut, theseSoba Noodles With Peanut Sauceare an awesome option. Gluten-free? Just substitute with your choice of noodle or keep it simple with this tastyAsian Zucchini Noodle Bowl.
• Get a Little Green – Trying to keep it a little lighter? We’ve got you covered! OurSizzling Chinese Green Beansor Spicy Sesame Sautéed Kalewill both go great withyour ginger garlic tofu! If you’re a salad connoisseur, check out ourVegan Superhero Salad Guide.
• Rice Is Nice– Rice is a great way to enjoy your marinated asian tofu. Whether you like white, brown, or cauliflower rice, there’s really no way to go wrong, especially when you’re makinga buddha bowl. Bon appétit!
• Soup’s On – If you’re craving a big, warm bowl of some tantalizing soup, then there are so many options for which you can enjoy your tofu.Red Curry Noodle Soup,Thai Vermicelli Noodle Soup, andTen-Minute Miso Noodle Soupwill all make your belly bellow with joy. If you’re looking for a puréed soup, thisBeet and Ginger Soupwill hit the spot!

Simple Storage

Tofu is fantastic for batch cooking to enjoy in meals throughout the week or just as a quick snack. In the fridge, it’ll keep about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container.

It’ll freeze for up to 8 months! Using a freezer-safe bag is fine but an airtight freezer-safe container is ideal! To defrost, just take out your preferred amount about 30 minutes prior to when you’d like to enjoy it or pop it in the microwave if you’re in a rush.

More Tasty Tofu Recipes

If you’re like us and can’t get enough tofu, here are more tasty tofu recipes:

• Yellow Curry With Tofu made with yellow curry paste and delicious veggies is a flavorful and filling dinner perfect for plant-based eaters and omnivores alike!
• To continue with the garlic theme, this Garlicky Tofu Tabbouleh Salad is a simple Middle Eastern dish that combines tofu with bulgar wheat and healthful herbs into one flavor-packed meal.
• Say “yay” to sweet and spicy Tofu Satay! It’s great for both special occasions and simple weeknight dinners.
• Vegan Greek Salad With Tofu Feta will take you to the Mediterranean with every tantalizing bite! This flavorful Greek salad will quickly become a new favorite!
• Vegan Stuffed Shells With Tofu Ricotta is a showstopper that never fails to impress guests!
• Nooch-Encrusted Air Fryer Tofu Cubes make a great protein-packed snack that comes together in minutes.
• If you’re craving take out, but want to enjoy a homemade meal, this Szechuan Tofu will totally knock your socks off!

This recipe for Ginger Garlic Asian Tofu Marinade comes from the kitchens ofToni Okamoto and Michelle Cehn as they were recipe testing for The Friendly Vegan Cookbook. Article written byAmanda Meth and edited by Rachel Lessenden. Photos by Amanda McGillicuddy for World of Vegan, all rights reserved.