Thai Tofu Marinade

Sweet Thai Tofu Marinade Recipe

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Marinated Thai tofu makes regular tofu taste amazing and is low in fat, with a high level of protein. So, if you are craving chicken, this is the healthiest alternative.

Not only is it delicious, but it is also ready in under an hour. This is one of the reasons why I love it. With a few ingredients, you can make this dish and enjoy it for lunch or dinner.

It’s a healthy side dish as well that goes with noodles, rice, and other carbs. I love experimenting with tofu as tofu recipes are very customizable. You can add flavor or spices according to your taste and cravings.

If you are going through a vegetarian phase and are craving meat, this is the recipe that you must try. Tofu is like a blank slate and you can pretty much use it in any dish you want. That is why it’s a great substitute for meat and poultry.

You can make orange ginger sauce tofu, tofu veggies salad, and much more. Today I am going to share the sweet Thai-inspired marinated tofu recipe.

Tofu is baked in a sweet and sour marinade prepared with Sweet Thai Chili and topped off with fresh green onion.

Thai Tofu Marinade Recipe

For this recipe, it is very important to use the right type of tofu. Extra firm tofu is the best option for marinated tofu recipe as it retains its shape. If you use soft or silken tofu, it will fall apart easily resulting in a quinoa-type dish instead.

Here are some recipes to try:

Variations to Thai Tofu Marinade Recipe

This is a vegan recipe that is simple and quick to make. If you want a gluten-free option, you can substitute soy sauce with tamari. Another great substitute is coconut aminos or vegetable stock.

If you want a zesty flavor, feel free to add lemon juice to the recipe. Even though the sweet Thai chili sauce used in this recipe provides all the necessary flavors, you can enhance the dish by using maple syrup for sweetness, and cayenne pepper for kicking the spice level.

Sweet Thai Baked Tofu in Marinade 

This tofu is golden on the outside and glazed in the authentic sweet and sour Thai tofu marinade.

                    ⏱ Prep Time: 15 minutes | 🔥 Cook Time: 40 minutes | 🍽 Serving: 4

Ingredients

  • 16 oz extra firm tofu
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup Sweet Thai Chili Sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • Green onions for garnishing (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Take tofu and press it with a kitchen towel to make it as dry as possible.
  3. Make small cubes of the tofu as desired and set them aside.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp sweet Thai chili sauce, soy sauce, salt, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Add tofu to the mixture and gently fold so the marinade is covering each piece.
  5. Add cornstarch to the tofu and marinade and stir with a spoon so it is evenly covering each tofu cube.
  6. Set it aside for 5 minutes so the cornstarch is soaked into the tofu. It will make the tofu crispier after baking.
  7. Spread the tofu onto the baking tray and pour over the leftover marinade on top.
  8. Bake it for 15 minutes. Turn the tofu cubes and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown. Don’t overcook the tofu.
  9. Serve warm with a bowl of steamed rice or noodles.

Sweet Thai Tofu Marinade

Notes

  1. Make sure to drain all the water from the tofu. The more dried the tofu is the better as it will retain its shape after baking.
  2. To drain the tofu, you can slice it and put several paper towels between the slices as you stack them. Place them on a kitchen counter and press down using a skillet. Let it rest for 15 minutes, and it will drain any extra water.
  3. I recommend getting extra firm dry tofu at the market that is already drained of liquid.
  4. You can also make it on a skillet if you are in a rush. Just sautee the tofu at medium-high heat and add the marinade to the tofu.

Emily is a tech and entertainment writer who loves the art of writing for research-based articles in different niches. As she translates her thoughts into words, they inspire others to do so too!

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