My miso-marinated tofu cubes are pan-fried with ginger and so tangy! The marinade is made from 4 simple ingredients including soy sauce (or tamari) and can be left to marinate for just 15 minutes. Vegan, oil-free, healthy and so delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You know how tofu sometimes tastes like nothing? Well, this recipe is here to change that.
- Packed with bright and tangy flavours
- An easy 4-ingredient marinade
- No need to marinate it overnight
- Smothered with healthy miso and ginger
- Make it with either soy sauce or tamari
- So so juicy
- Vegan & Oil-free
- A winning BBQ dish
The Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make our miso-marinated baked tofu.
Ingredient notes
- Tamari: you can use soy sauce instead. Both light and dark soy sauce work.
- Miso paste: find it in large supermarkets in the Asian or Japanese food isle.
Step-by-step
Here's how to make your miso-baked tofu cutlets.
Remember that detailed instructions and exact ingredients are waiting for you at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the marinade by mixing black pepper, tamari, miso paste & grated ginger. Toss the tofu cubes in the marinade to coat evenly. Use your hands if needed.
- Cover the tofu bowl and let marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
- Warm up a large non-stick pan - no oil needed. Add marinated tofu cubes and gently fry until golden brown around the edges (see photos/video for reference).
- Serve in your favourite dish! I paired it with pak choy, peppers, sesame, and brown rice. More serving ideas below.
Eco-friendly marinade tip: to avoid using cling film or aluminum foil, simply cover your bowl of tofu with a large flat plate. Then pop it into the fridge and let it marinate while you enjoy a cup of coffee.
Expert Tips
- Let it marinate in the fridge.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and ginger to taste.
- Add chilli flakes if you want a kick of heat.
- Don’t forget to grate the ginger, careful to remove any large strings.
- Mix the marinade ingredients in a small bowl before adding them to tofu (I didn’t do that in the video but it’s a great tip for beginners!)
Want it extra smooth? Blend all the marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor before adding them to tofu.
F.A.Q.
You don’t need to marinate it overnight as this recipe is packed full of flavour anyway.
If you want something quick, 10 or 15 minutes will do the job.
If you have plenty of time, you can leave it to marinate for up to 24 hours.
You don’t need to use a tofu press in this recipe.
I would recommend gently squeezing out all the water above a sink and patting the tofu dry with a clean tea towel.
Alternatively, you can cover the tofu with tea towels and place a very heavy object on top (like a heavy pan).
If you do have a tofu press, feel free to use it.
Miso is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans. This thick paste is packed with vitamins and minerals.
The fermentation process gives it an extra benefit as it makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients (Source: Healthline).
Serving
The beauty of this vegan marinated tofu? You can serve it in so many ways.
- Add it to a stir-fry. I like pairing it with pak choy and peppers.
- Serve it in ramen/noodle soup.
- Slice it into long thin slices (instead of cubes) and use it in sandwiches.
- Use it in buddha bowls.
- Pair it with a good dipping sauce and serve it as a side dish.
- Place it on wooden skewers and voila, you’ve got yourself a lovely barbecue dish.
Enjoyed my miso tofu marinade and looking for more healthy vegan recipes? Check out my:
Lastly, thank you for stopping by! If you make this recipe I would love it if you could rate it and leave a comment below - this always makes my day.
P.S. - I often get asked about my photography! Find out how I improved my photography through an online course.
Recipe
Easy Miso Marinated Tofu Cubes w Ginger (Vegan And Oil-Free)
Equipment
- Frying pan
- A large bowl or a deep plate
Ingredients
- 1 block firm tofu 280g / 10 oz
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoon miso paste
- 1 large thumb ginger
Instructions
- Prepare your marinade by mixing black pepper, tamari, miso paste & grated ginger.
- Cut a block of tofu into cubes (small or big) and place in a large bowl.
- Toss the tofu in the marinade to coat evenly. Use your hands if needed.
- Cover the tofu bowl and let marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes.
- Warm up a large non-stick pan - no oil needed. Add marinated tofu cubes and gently fry until golden brown around the edges (see photos/video for reference).
- Serve as a side or in a stir-fry. See Notes for more serving suggestions.
Vida
Is 1/2 a tablespoon of soy sauce enough? My marinade seems so thick that it won't cover all the tofu or allow the flavour to be absorbed.
Tajda Ferko
Hi lovely! For me, 1/2 a tbsp is usually enough. It might depend on the brand of miso paste & tofu you are using so I recommend just adding some more liquid to thin it out. You could add more soy sauce, tamari, or even some sesame oil etc. Hope this helps and thank you for stopping by!