How long does marinated tofu last and how long can you keep tofu in the fridge?

Once you have marinated your tofu, you can keep it in the fridge for two to three days before cooking. For best results, we recommend marinating your tofu overnight and cooking the next day, this hits the sweet spot for flavour without overdoing it. If you have the time, cook your tofu as soon as it’s marinated. This can keep in the fridge for up to five days before adding it to your dish and devouring, making it a great option for getting ahead on meal prep.

Can you freeze marinated tofu?

In a word - yes! However, freezing will affect the texture of your tofu, making it a little drier and more fibrous which can actually be great for soaking up sauces later on. Once you’ve pressed, cut, and covered your tofu in a marinade, put the sealed container in the freezer. On the day that you want to cook with it, remove the container from the fridge and let it defrost throughout the day before whipping up your tofu dish.

Want to try marinated tofu but are short on time?

If you’re short on time but still want that marinated tofu deliciousness, why not give our Garlic & Ginger or Teriyaki Tofu Pieces a try or discover our quick 15 minute Marinated Tofu with Pad Thai Noodles! These tofu pieces come pre marinated and ready to eat – either cook straight from the pack or get stuck right in!

How To Marinate Tofu Like A Pro | Vegan Cooking

How to marinate and press tofu like a pro

Updated 22nd May 2026

One of the greatest things about tofu is how versatile it is. By upping your marinade skills, you can learn how to infuse tofu with tons of different flavours – and use it in a million magnificent recipes (give or take!) From smoky and savoury to sweet and spicy flavours, marinating tofu is where the magic really happens.

Before you dive into marinades, it’s worth knowing how to press tofu properly. Pressing removes excess water, giving your tofu a firmer texture and helps it to soak up all that delicious flavour. A few minutes with a weighted plate or a tofu press can make a big difference to the final result.

Prepping your tofu and leaving it to marinade also means you can get ahead on your meal-prep and save time for when it comes to cooking, while making sure it's deliciously infused and full of flavour. You can even try out different marinated tofu recipes and store them in the freezer to get really ahead - ideal for speedy midweek meals.

Here’s a rundown of how to marinate your tofu like a pro.

7 mins read

Press your tofu

The first step to learning how to marinate tofu, is to master the art of preparation. Getting this bit right sets you up for success and makes all the difference when it comes to flavour and texture.

You can either use a tofu press to press your Authentic Tofu Block or grab a pack of our Extra Firm Tofu Block that comes ready-pressed!

If you have a regular block of tofu with no tofu press, give this super easy pressing technique a go.

Drain the water from your tofu block.
Place a cooling rack over a baking tray (to catch the excess water). Pop your tofu block on the cooling rack and place your heaviest chopping board over the tofu.
Leave for 20-30 mins to press with no need for paper - gravity does all the hard work here.

Once your tofu is nicely pressed, simply cut it to your preference. Usually, cubing your tofu is a winner, as it works for almost any dish and helps those marinades soak right in. However, if you’re planning to grill your tofu, cutting slab-like pieces works well too and gives you lovely, charred edges.

Make your marinade

The next step is to make your marinade. There’s a huge variety of fantastic recipes to infuse tofu with all kinds of phenomenal flavours. If you’ve ever wondered "how do I marinate tofu?", this is where you get to have some fun by mixing sweet, savoury, spicy or smoky ingredients to suit your dish.

When it comes to how long to marinate tofu, even a short soak can work wonders, but leaving it for at least 30 minutes will really help those flavours sink in. Got more time? Let it marinate for a few hours or even overnight for maximum impact.

Loads of our tofu recipes include glazes and sauces to soak maximum taste into our tofu, whether you’re pan‑frying, baking or grilling. Take a look at our tofu recipes for inspiration and start building bold flavours with confidence!

Let the marination magic happen

The final step of learning how to marinate tofu, is sitting back and letting it work its magic. In a sealed container, add your tofu and cover in the marinade. Make sure every piece is generously coated, so the tofu marinade can soak right into every nook and cranny. You should aim to marinate tofu for at least two hours in the fridge or for even more flavour, you can leave it to marinade for up to two days before cooking up, perfect if you want to get ahead of meal preparation!

Top tip: Don’t ditch the leftover marinade when you come to cook your tofu. That tofu marinade is liquid gold. Add it to the pan when you’re cooking, or heat it on the side and add it when plating up for an extra saucy serving!

Useful tofu marinade information

Now you’re all set to start experimenting with marinades for maximum tofu flavour. You’ve learnt the basics, nailed the prep, and discovered the joy of a great marinade. But before you put your new skills to the test, here’s some super handy info to help you get the best results every time.