Balsamic Tofu
Balsamic tofu is an easy to make recipe that is perfect for dinner any night of the week!
You will not believe how crispy and flavorful this marinated tofu gets in the oven! This balsamic italian tofu is high in protein, vegan, gluten free, and very budget friendly.
Why this is the best tofu marinade recipe
- Balsamic marinated tofu is full of protein and low in fat! This recipe is a great way to get in more protein and is perfect for both meat eaters or vegans and vegetarians!
- You can easily prepare this recipe ahead of time for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Great for meal prep too! This easy baked tofu is perfect on salads, sandwiches, pizza or even as croutons to add to your favorite soup.
- This flavorful recipe for this simple tofu recipe is naturally vegan, gluten free, dairy free and easy to make!
Ingredients
- Extra firm tofu
- Balsamic vinegar
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Salt
How to make balsamic tofu
Step 1: Drain the excess water from the tofu. Cut the block into 4 thin layers (making 4 large rectangular pieces) for pressing.
Step 2: Place paper towels or tea towels between the tofu layers and on the bottom and top of the tofu. Be sure to put the tofu on a rimmed baking sheet or large plate to collect excess water.
Place a heavy weight (like a few cans of tomatoes or a cast iron skillet) on top of the tofu to press out the water. Let the water press out at least 15 minutes, but ideally for about 2 hours.
Step 3: Make the balsamic marinade. While tofu is pressing, combine the marinade ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 4: Once tofu is done pressing (at least 15 minutes) remove the towels. Cut tofu into small bite size cubes, place the cubes in a shallow baking dish and cover with the marinade.
Marinate 30 minutes – 2 hours depending on how much time you have.
Step 5: Bake the tofu in a 400F oven for 30-35 minutes and add additional balsamic vinegar once the tofu is removed from the oven.
Tips for preparing crispy tofu
There are a few things you need to know about making the best marinated tofu.
- Use extra-firm tofu for marinated tofu recipes. The softer the tofu, the more water it contains.
For this recipe you want tofu with as little water as possible, so it will get extra crispy when cooking. You can find extra firm tofu in the refrigerated section of your grocery store, the package will indicate “extra firm”. - Press out excess liquid. By pressing out excess liquid, it allows for the tofu to easily absorb the marinade. This process is very easy to do.
Simply cut the tofu into large blocks, put paper towels or tea towels between the layers and place something heavy on top to press out the liquid.
Be sure the tofu is on a baking sheet or large plate to catch the excess liquid. If you eat tofu often, you may want to invest in a tofu press!
Tip: You can skip this step buy purchasing super firm tofu that is vacuum packed, not in water.
Recommended kitchen tools
Balsamic tofu common questions
Why should you eat tofu
- Tofu is high in protein, calcium, and iron
- It’s relatively inexpensive
- Easy to find at any grocery store!
The best way to cook crispy baked tofu
Get the best results with the least work by baking the tofu in the oven!
Simply bake the tofu in a 400F oven for 30-35 minutes! This is great if you are going to double or triple the recipe! Just be sure you have a big enough baking sheet! I love the extra large baking sheet for this!
Other uses for oven baked tofu
- Great as croutons to add protein and flavor to your favorite soup (especially tomato soup) or salad
- Add to your favorite pizza! It pairs great with arugula cashew pesto on vegan pizza!
Can you make balsamic tofu ahead of time?
Yes! You can press out the tofu and put it in the balsamic marinade. That can sit in the fridge for 1-2 days ahead of time.
You can also cook the balsamic tofu, allow it to cool, and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in a hot skillet to ensure it stays crispy.
How long does marinated tofu last in the fridge?
You can keep cooked marinated tofu in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Can you freeze this recipe?
Because of the water content of the tofu, it doesn’t freeze well.
What to serve with balsamic tofu
- Vegan garlic mashed cauliflower
- Artichoke Pesto Pasta
- Sundried tomato broccoli
- Italian Zucchini Pasta Salad
- Creamy Garlic Butternut Squash Noodles
If you love this recipe, you should try
Balsamic Tofu
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 package extra firm tofu - pressed and cubed
- 3 tbs. balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- few cracks black pepper
- Additional 1-2 tbs. balsamic
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- After 2 hours in the fridge, the tofu will be pressed thoroughly. Cut tofu into long match sticks then into small cubes. The tofu is now ready for the marinade.
- Add 3 tbs. balsamic, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning and 1/2 tsp. salt to a bowl with a cover.
- Add tofu cubes. Cover and shake. Marinade 30 minutes – 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Take tofu out of refrigerator to come to room temperature, Shake container again.
- Once oven is preheated, place parchment paper on a baking sheet. Spray with nonstick spray.
- Add tofu to the parchment paper. Bake 30-35 minutes.
- Once crispy, take out of oven and add 1-2 additional tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt. Stir.
- Allow to cool at least 5 minutes before eating! Enjoy
Notes
- You can press the tofu and put it in the balsamic marinade. That can sit in the fridge for 1-2 days ahead of time.
- You can also cook the balsamic tofu, allow it to cool, and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in a hot skillet to ensure it stays crispy!
- Because of the water content, freezing the tofu is not advised.
I cook a lot of tofu and actually an inexpensive tofu press is well worth the investment and saves a lot of time and paper towels!!
Trying this- I’m clueless about pressing Tofu. I don’t see directions in the recipe. Help!
Hi there, you want to simply cut the tofu up into 4 equal pieces lengthwise. Then just add some papertowels between the layers of tofu and put something heavy on top. This will help press the water out of the tofu! Be sure to add a layer of paper towels to the bottom and the top and put it in a bowl so that your fridge doesn’t get all wet! Hope this helps!
Just made this. Hubby put it on a sandwich and I put it in a salad. YUMMY!!! SO good! Thanks for the recipe!
Once it’s been cooked, how long does the tofu last? I’d love to bake some and add it to soups throughout the week…if it lasts that long :). Looks like a great recipe- thanks for sharing!
Can it marinate overnight,
Yes, the longer it marinades the better it tastes! Enjoy!
searching through the comments looking for this question…Awesome!…I’m making this one night this week. And I’ll marinate it the night before to save time when I get home from work. Thank you so so much!!
I eat tofu a couple times a week and I can’t believe I’ve never thought to marinate it in balsamic! I love the texture when it’s frozen, pressed and baked and I can’t wait to try my tofu like this next week!
this looks amazing !
Paleo and Gluten-Free Recipes
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Can you believe that I have never made tofu? This looks so good! Thanks for linking up to Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party at Creative K Kids. I’ve pinned your post to the Tasty Tuesday’s Pinterest board.
Tammy, I can’t believe that! You’ve gotta put that on your must make in 2015 list! Thanks for pinning for us and thanks for hosting! See you next week :)
I’ve never tried tofu before but this looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Thanks for the kind words Stephanie. Tofu is pretty versatile and will take on whatever flavors you add! Thanks for hosting Tasty Tuesday :) See you next week.
The fact that this recipe doesn’t leave your tofu mushy has me sold! I can’t tell you how many failed tofu recipes I’ve tried.
Jessie, oh you have to try this then, I’m not a fan of mushy tofu either!
Looks soooo good, I have to try this!
Jamie, enjoy it :) Thanks for stopping by!
This looks fantastic! It reminds me of the one on the Whole Foods hot bar… but better! My favorite way to prepare tofu is to marinate and then bake it. Love how fluffy it gets!
Laura, oh the Whole Foods Hot Bar – I’m drooling! Thanks :)
I love baked tofu! This looks fab
Thanks Deborah :)
I’m a non-vegetarian tofu lover and I love balsalmic. I am so making this next week for Meatless Monday!
Oh yay Andrea, you will love this – its delish!
RECIPE STEALER! No kidding I do the same thing! I also like to slather it in grainy mustard and then pan cook it!
OMG I died laughing when I read this – you are so cute. And the mustard – yum I gotta steal that :) <3 hugs <3