Basil Balsamic Marinated Tofu is a protein-packed tofu dish that features fresh summer basil. This maple syrup and balsamic marinated tofu has a rich flavor with just six ingredients!
My family has a HUGE summer garden. It's so fun when I'm at home because I have access to tons of vegetables and herbs.
A few weeks ago my dad asked me to find a recipe to use some of the abundance of basil that we have growing. I decided to create something delicious for the blog!
I started researching marinade ideas to really feature the basil (instead of just using it as a garnish) and decided on basil-balsamic. Balsamic vinegar has a sweet, yet acidic flavor which pairs very well with the fresh basil.
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Why I love this Basil Balsamic Marinated Tofu
- Dietary needs - this dish is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar free
- High protein - tofu is packed with plant-based protein!
- Easy to make - this balsamic tofu marinade is so easy to make, especially if you want to add some more protein to your meal
- Only six ingredients - the basil balsamic marinade is only a few ingredients, but it's SO flavorful. Tasty recipes don't have to be complicated!
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Extra Firm Tofu: use extra firm tofu for the best results. Or, if you want to skip pressing the tofu, look for a super firm tofu or one that is already pressed.
- Basil: to get the most of the basil flavor we'll use some in the marinade and reserve some to be sprinkled on top at the end!
- Balsamic Vinegar: for best results, use a quality balsamic. Cheaper balsamic vinegars will work but may be more bitter
- Maple Syrup: a bit of maple syrup helps balance the acidity of the vinegar
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: any of these three will work. If you're gluten-free, choose tamari or liquid aminos.
- Garlic
- Black Pepper
How to make Basil Balsamic Roasted Tofu
Step 1. Press the tofu. Wrap each block of tofu in paper towels and place under a heavy object to release extra liquid. Let sit for 20-30 minutes.
Step 2. In a small bowl whisk together ¼ cup of the basil, the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.
Step 3. Slice the tofu into ½" cubes.
Step 4. Place the tofu in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the tofu. Let marinate at least 30 minutes. Stir once or twice to ensure all the tofu is covered.
Step 5. Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the tofu and any extra marinade liquid and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tofu is browned on all sides.
Step 6. Serve with the remaining basil. Enjoy!
FAQ & Expert Tips
Baking can help the tofu get more crispy, but it does take a bit longer than pan-cooking.
To bake, preheat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Follow the directions to press and marinade the tofu, then pour the tofu and marinade on the baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Use extra firm tofu. The more firm your tofu is, the better texture the end result will have.
- Don't skip the pressing. I recommend pressing the tofu for 20-30 minutes so it can soak up all the flavors of the marinade. If you want to skip the pressing, look for a super firm tofu that is already pressed.
- Use a quality balsamic. A lower quality balsamic can result in a very bitter and acidic dish. If you can, invest in a quality balsamic for this recipe.
Frozen tofu does have a more meat-like texture than fresh & pressed tofu. But it does require some prep (or regularly keeping tofu in your freezer).
To freeze tofu, place the entire package of tofu in the freezer. To thaw, remove it from the freezer and let thaw in the refrigerator for 12 hours or on the counter for 3 hours. Then drain completely.
Store this tofu in an air-tight container in the fridge.
The tofu will last up to a week in the refrigerator.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for fresh herbs that make food delicious. We are grateful for your abundance. Amen.
More Tofu Recipes
Try some of my other favorite tofu recipes:
Tried this recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Basil Balsamic Marinated Tofu
Ingredients
- 1 14 Ounce Block Extra Firm Tofu
- ½ Cup Julienned Basil divided
- ¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce Tamari, or Liquid Aminos
- 3 Cloves Garlic minced
- ¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper
- To Serve: cooked rice pasta, etc.
Instructions
- Press the tofu. Wrap each block of tofu in paper towels and place under a heavy object to release extra liquid. Let sit for 20-30 minutes.
- In a small bowl whisk together ¼ cup of the basil, the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper.
- Slice the tofu into ½" cubes.
- Place the tofu in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the tofu. Let marinate at least 30 minutes. Stir once or twice to ensure all the tofu is covered.
- Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the tofu and any extra marinade liquid and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tofu is browned on all sides.
- Serve with the remaining basil. Enjoy!
Notes
- Preheat the oven to 450°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Follow steps 2-4 as written above.
- Pour the tofu and marinade on the baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Serve with the remaining basil. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
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