We got 12 seitan or tofu marinades in the house!!!!! ...well, more specifically in the freezer for the most part. After making my Vegan Seitan Tenders (a recipe designed to be similar to chicken), I've been having fun playing around with so many different flavour combinations and enjoying my seitan everywhere: on sandwiches, salads, pasta, as the main dish, in tacos or burritos, stir-fry, everywhere! Serving up my seitan with endless flavour combinations. SO MUCH YUM!
With these marinade recipes on hand, you are on your way to some seriously scrumptious meals. Each recipe takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and makes enough to marinate 2 seitan tenders (or about 1 block of tofu), but you can make more or less as needed. Then just pop these in the fridge until ready to use- the flavours get even better the longer you marinate. Or you can put them straight in the freezer to save for another day.
12 Seitan or Tofu Marinades
Ingredients
BBQ Marinade:
- 6 tablespoons BBQ sauce, (check to make sure it's vegan)
- ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
Lemon Mustard Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Jerk Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons jerk marinade, hot or mild (I like to do a combination of both)
- 2 tablespoons water
Sweet Chili Marinade:
- ¼ cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
Sriracha Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup
Italian Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice or white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Balsamic Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Thai Peanut Marinade:
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
- 2 teaspoon agave
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
Coconut Curry Marinade:
- ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
Mexican Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons light oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon agave
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Sweet and Smoky Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Teriyaki Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons orange juice or water
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon powdered ginger
Instructions
- For any marinade you choose, simply add all of the ingredients to a resealable bag or airtight container, mix, then add your seitan tenders or sliced or cubed tofu. Let marinate for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 4 days.
Notes
- These marinades are designed to be used with my Vegan Seitan Tenders recipe, but the marinades would also work gorgeously with tofu, tempeh, or another seitan recipe that calls for a marinade.
- If using tofu, use a medium, firm, or extra-firm tofu. It's also recommended to press the tofu first before marinating.
- Each recipe makes enough to marinate 2 seitan tenders or 1 block of tofu. Feel free to multiply or reduce the recipe as needed.
- I designed each recipe to be SUPER quick and easy to make- no chopping, mincing or cooking. Each recipe uses pantry staples- sauces, spices, and seasonings that you likely already have on hand. That said if you would like to sub in fresh herbs, garlic, or ginger, instead of the powdered versions, feel free to do so.
- Marinate your seitan or tofu for a minimum of 15 minutes, but up to 4 days in the fridge for maximum flavour or you can toss these in the freezer. The seitan freezes beautifully, but tofu changes texture when frozen (it gets kind of spongey), so freeze tofu only if you enjoy that texture (personally, I’m not a fan).
- If you prefer oil-free marinades, sub any oil in these recipes for water, vegetable broth, or aquafaba.
- Once marinated, cook up your seitan or tofu any way you like! Pan fry, grill, BBQ, bake. My favourite is to pan fry the seitan tenders over medium-high heat, a couple minutes per side so the seitan gets a bit crispy on the outside, and hot all the way through.
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Anna says
I have been using these for both tofu and seitan! I am in love! So grateful for these different variations because they can be used in so many different meals! Highly recommend making these!
Cheer says
How much is 1 block of tofu in grams? I'm getting different answers online 🙁
Sam Turnbull says
It totally depends on the brand you purchase, they can range greatly 🙂
Laura Monica Shaw says
I tried the recipe "VEGAN CHICKEN" from your video and I am honestly shocked. I cut meat almost a year ago and it was easy to cut red meat but I've missed the texture and taste of chicken. This comes extremely close! I never thought the texture would be so close to chicken! AHHH I'm sooo happy that I can make it at home now because we all know the vegan meats at the store are wild expensive. Thank you sugar!
Lariza says
WOW!! I made the vegan chicken tenders few weeks ago. I ate two of them and froze the rest. Yesterday I prepared them using the Italian marinade and my mouth was watering, I really enjoyed the flavor!! I will need to prepare more vegan tenders to try all your marinades.
Beata says
Wow - tried the balsamic marinade to marinate some of Sam's chicken seitan and could not believe how delicious my kitchen smelled while I was heating the tenders up for dinner!!! Even the dishwasher with the used marinating dish smelled amazing, lol!!! Definitely looking forward to using this marinade to marinate sliced/cubed pressed tofu for dinner in 2 days! Hard to believe how simple this particular marinade is to make, too. Thank you Sam. 🙂
Sarah says
Can't wait to try these marinades - I made the Seitan steak yesterday and I'm looking forward to trying the Seitan Tenders. Please could I ask if the peanut butter used in the Thai marinade is Smooth or Crunchy?
Bianca Neves says
Smooth is preferred.
Elise says
Hello, I tried some of the recipes and they’re delicious and thank you for them! I was wondering if there’s a substitute for lime juice though
Bianca Neves says
Rice vinegar works beautifully in the Thai peanut marinade! It's actually more traditional than lime juice.
Taylor says
Hi there, I was just wondering if I'm able to use this marinade for blocks of tempeh? Thanks! 🙂
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely! Enjoy!
Cris says
The teriyaki marinade was amazing! I was out of orange juice so used grapefruit instead and let it soak into the tofu for 24 hours. Tomorrow is the lemon mustard that I added fresh dill to (because that seemed like a given)!
Sam Turnbull says
Sounds great!!
Sonya says
Ty for these marinades. I bookmarked this page:)
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you love them!
Diana Greenhorn says
I tried one tofu marinate which I then baked but I couldn't taste the marinate after. The marinades might be best for pan frying, etc.
Shanna says
Just want to tell you I've been vegan for 7 years and this marinade recipe has probably been the most helpful recipe I've ever found. I love tofu and eat it almost everyday and this has given me so many more flavors that I wouldn't have thought of. I actually tried the lemon mustard one tonight. And admittedly I thought that was a strange combo. BUT, I love your blog and cookbook and I trusted you. And yet again I was not let down. It was so good! I had it with couscous and steamed kale for dinner. So delicious. Thank you. I appreciate your recipes/blog/cookbook so much!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww shucks. Thank you so much, Shanna! So thrilled you're enjoying my recipes so much! Thanks for the lovely comment 🙂
Reyna castillo says
I tried the teriyaki marinade and it was excellent with tofu !
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!! Thrilled you enjoyed it, Reyna 🙂
Marcel Evans says
Hi Sam, i've got a Juice bar and sandwich
shop in Khao Lak Thailand and this year i'm making a small vegan menu so your yummy marinades will go down so well,especially the Thai Peanut and Sriracha ones.
Thankyou and i'll send you some pictures when i start my vegan menu in October.Check out my Facebook page Juice From Mars.
Cheers Marcel.
Sam Turnbull says
That's wonderful! Thank you for providing vegan options, Marcel 🙂
Trishna says
Hi!
I've been trying to transition to vegan/vegetarianism and your recipes definitely help a ton!
I was wondering if you could recommend any dishes/flavors to accompany the lemon-mustard marinade? I'm afraid to make something that may clash with the flavors instead of complimenting them.
Thanks in advance!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy I could help, Trishna! It would be wonderful served alongside some rice, quinoa, or even on pasta! You could serve a green such as broccoli on the side. Enjoy!
Kim says
These marinades are the BOMB! I've tried 4 already. Sweet chili, Sweet and Smoky, Teriyaki, and Thai Peanut. My favorite is the Sweet and Smoky because it's great to make tofu bacon! Great for a TLT breakfast sandwich! Thank you Sam for making vegan so easy and flavorful!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww you're most welcome, Kim!! I think the sweet and smoky is my fave too!
Dominika Wos says
Hey
I'm making tofu with this peanut butter marinate. It's pretty thick. Should I fry it on a pan with the marinate or take tofu out and fry but itself?? Thanks
Sam Turnbull says
I like to fry the marinated tofu and then in the last minute or two add the remaining marinade to heat it up and have gorgeous saucy tofu. Enjoy!
Ana says
Hi, can I marinate seitan after it's already been fried?
I tried it but I don't like its flavour.
Sam Turnbull says
No, I would marinate it after it is steamed. Then you can fry it once it is marinated. Enjoy!
Julie says
Thank you Sam for providing these awesomely quick and tasty marinades. I have made 3 so far and my whole family (including 4 teens) love them. Your book was the first I bought when I started my plant based lifestyle 15 months ago and even though I have since bought 8 other vegan cookbooks, your's is still my go to/most used. I'm always on the look out for what you come with next so thank you.
.
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you're enjoying them, Julie 🙂
Dee says
Hi Sam, when you say you can freeze it, do you mean the marinade alone or can I put the tofu in the marinade and freeze the whole thing? Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
You can freeze the seitan + marinade and it will be beautiful. You can also freeze tofu + marinade, but note that tofu changes in texture once frozen. It gets quite spongey. Some people love this texture, others hate it. I suggest trying it at least once to see if you like it! 🙂
Yulca says
Happy to report that the sweet & smoky version also worked really well with my jackfruit the other day - can't wait to try the other ones!
Sam Turnbull says
Oooh that's a great idea!! Yum!
Courtney says
I started watching your videos a week ago and I've finally convinced my husband to go vegan . It's day 2 and I'm already feeling better!
Sam Turnbull says
That's amazing! Congrats on your new veganism, Courtney!
Tamme says
Do you think these marinades would work well with soy curls, and should they be hydrated or not?
Tamme says
Doh nevermind, I didn't read enough of the comments
Sam Turnbull says
I don't have much experience with soy curls, but I think they should work fine. Enjoy!
Jeannie says
I would like to try these marinades, but many of them call for black pepper to which I am highly allergic. Do you have any suggestions for a substitute or must I just leave it out? I am new to your website. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sam Turnbull says
Welcome Jeannie 🙂 You could skip the black pepper, or replace it with another spice that you can have, perhaps chili flakes, or if there is another type of pepper that is ok. Enjoy!
Evan says
Can't wait to try these!
Could they be used with tempeh?
Sam Turnbull says
Absolutely! Enjoy 🙂
Alocasia says
Any idea how these marinades would work with soy curls? Thanks.
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, absolutely! Enjoy!
Mike says
OMG, Sam, you are spoiling us. All these great recipes, thank you. Do you have one for vegan ham? Just asking. :o)
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! You're welcome 🙂 Not yet, but I will add it to my idea list 🙂
Ashley Doukas says
You should check our the Gentle Chef’s ham recipe! It’s great.
Tash says
Twelve marinades!!! You have gone above and beyond here. Thanks so much Sam xxx
Sam Turnbull says
Haha! You're most welcome, Tash! I hope you love them all 🙂
lena says
i made the sweet chili marinade and used it on my tempeh! oooolala!!! sooo good!!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay!! So happy you loved it 🙂
Janet H. says
Bless your heart for posting your marinades! This makes it all SO much easier!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome, Janet! I'm so happy I can help 🙂
Salima says
This is amazing! Do you think gardein chick’n scallopini would also work well with these marinades, and then pan fried? Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
I've never tried, but I believe you are supposed to cook the Gardein from frozen as thawing them could ruin the texture. If that's the case, then I don't think marinating them would work. Hope that helps!
lena says
do you think these marinades will work for tempeh as well???
Sam Turnbull says
Yes, absolutely! I will add that to the recipe notes 🙂
Emily says
So very excited to try these! I feel like I've been looking for this all of my life. Thank you!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Aww you're most welcome, Emily! So happy I could help 🙂