This Easy Marinated Tofu Salad is flavorful, rich in protein, and meal-prep friendly. Refrigerate this healthy salad in mason jars for the perfect grab-and-go lunch. It keeps for up to 5 days. Enjoy it straight from the jar, make low-carb lettuce wraps, or serve it on avocado toast to add protein.
Welcome to the easy tofu salad that tastes even better the next day. The marinated tofu cubes become even more flavorful as they sit in the refrigerator, which is why this is an ideal jar salad recipe. It's great for picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or even as a protein side.
This recipe is so versatile. Use it for adding protein to avocado toast, or pair it with these 30-Minute Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes. This recipe was inspired by my Tofu Salad with cabbage on this site.
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๐ฉ๐ผโ๐พ Ingredients
- Homemade baked tofu cubes add protein and heart-healthy fats to this Easy Marinated Tofu Salad recipe. However, baking the tofu is optional. You can add the tofu straight out of the packet for what tastes like a vegan feta cheese salad. (Packeted tofu is already cooked.) Use super firm tofu, which comes pre-pressed, to save time. Otherwise, press the block of extra firm tofu, cut it into cubes, toss them with olive oil and spices, and bake for 10 minutes.
- The marinade dressing is a combination of lemon juice and zest, garlic, mustard, paprika, sumac (optional), and olive oil.
- Jarred marinated artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes pack a ton of flavor into this Easy Marinated Tofu Salad, as well as a variety of textures. The sun-dried tomatoes add a boost of antioxidants from their high lycopene content.
See the recipe card for quantities.
๐ฅฌ Substitutions
- Tofu - instead of tofu, use roasted chickpeas, tempeh, or white beans
- Herbs and spices - Toss the tofu with herbs or spices you have on hand for even more flavor, and add some nutritional yeast for vitamin B12 and a cheesy taste. (Garlic powder, chili powder, chipotle powder, paprika, smoked paprika, oregano, basil, and Italian seasoning are good choices.)
- Parsley - skip the parsley and use fresh herbs you already have on hand. Cilantro, thyme, basil, or even chopped-up celery leaves are all good substitutes.
Transform veggies, bagels, or toast to a high-protein snack with my High-Protein Vegan Cream Cheese. For more jar salad recipes, visit my Vegan Salad Recipes page.
๐ Instructions
Baking the tofu is optional. Add the tofu straight out of the packet for what tastes like a vegan feta cheese salad. Otherwise, press the extra firm tofu, or use super firm tofu which comes pre-pressed to save time. Cut it into cubes, and toss with olive oil and the desired seasonings.
Step 1. Bake the seasoned tofu cubes for about 10 minutes, or until lightly golden.
Step 2. Finely chop the jarred marinated artichoke hearts.
Step 3. Finely chop the jarred sun-dried tomatoes. (Choose the ones packed in oil.)
Step 4. Make the dressing: Add the lemon zest and juice, Dijon, sumac (if using), and paprika to a jar or bowl. Press the garlic into the jar. Shake or whisk, and then add the olive oil and mix well.
Step 5. Transfer the tofu, red onion, celery, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley to a large bowl. Add the dressing and mix to combine. Season with more lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Step 6. Refrigerate this Easy Marinated Tofu Salad an airtight container for up to 5 days. Use for making lettuce wraps, as a high-protein toast topping, or enjoy it straight from the jar.
๐ก Expert Tips
- Budget-friendly tip: Use the oil from the jarred sun-dried tomatoes to replace the olive oil in the dressing, and for baking the tofu cubes. This oil is packed with flavor and tastes delicious.
- Save time: Use super firm tofu if it is available. It does not require pressing and has a higher protein content.
- Meal prep: Make this tofu salad ahead of time and refrigerate it in single-serve jars for a protein-packed grab-and-go lunch or snack.
- Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Easy Marinated Tofu Salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- For serving: Add a grain of your choice for a more substantial meal. Or use this salad as a filling for wraps.
๐๐ฝโโ๏ธ Recipe FAQs
Packaged tofu is not raw. The tofu is pre-cooked and safe to eat before it is even packaged. Tofu is made from blended soybeans that have been boiled to remove any toxic lectins found in the raw beans, making it completely safe to eat straight from the packet.
Tofu is delicious and eatenย either hot or cold, as long as you use a good marinade or sauce. This is true for all types of tofu, including silken, soft, medium, firm, extra firm, and super firm. Use cold or baked tofu for this marinated tofu salad. Try my no-cook, 10-minute Sesame Soy Silken Tofu for a cold tofu recipe. The silken tofu sops up the tangy soy dressing for a truly flavorful dish
Tofu will have a good amount of flavor after marinating forย about 30 minutes, but if you want very flavorful tofu, allow it to at least sit overnight in the refrigerator. Marinate it in a sealable plastic bag, or an airtight container. You can also freeze marinated tofu for up to three months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using it. The texture of the tofu will change slightly to a more chewy consistency that tastes more like chicken.
๐ฝ Related Recipes
๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ณ Made This Recipe?
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๐ Recipe
Marinated Tofu Salad
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Ingredients
For the baked tofu:
- 14 to 16 ounces extra firm tofu pressed, cut into ยฝ-inch cubes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
For the dressing:
- 1 large lemon zest and juice, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ยพ teaspoon sumac (optional)
- ยฝ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cloves garlic
- ยผ cup olive oil or oil from the jarred sun-dried tomatoes
For the salad:
- ยฝ cup finely chopped red onion or 1 large shallot, chopped
- 2 ribs celery small dice
- ยพ cup marinated artichoke hearts jarred, finely chopped
- โ cup sun-dried tomatoes jarred and preserved in oil, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425ยบF.
- Season and bake the tofu: Transfer the tofu to a large bowl. Toss it with olive oil, salt, and the desired herbs and spices. Transfer the cubes to a large nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown, but not crispy.
- Make the dressing: Add the lemon zest and juice, Dijon, sumac, and paprika to a jar or bowl. Press the garlic into the jar. Shake or whisk, and then add the olive oil and mix well.
- Combine: Transfer the tofu, red onion, celery, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley to a large bowl. Add the dressing and mix to combine. Season with more lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Notes
-
- Budget-friendly tip: Use the oil from the jarred sun-dried tomatoes in the dressing, and for the tofu cubes, instead of olive oil. This oil is packed with flavor and tastes delicious.
-
- Save time: Use super firm tofu if it is available. It does not require pressing and has a higher protein content.
-
- Meal prep: Make this salad ahead of time and refrigerate in single serve jars for a protein-packed jar salad.
-
- Storage: Refrigerate any remaining Easy Marinated Tofu Salad in an airtight container for up to 5 days.ย
-
- For serving: Add a grain of your choice for a more substantial meal. Or use this salad as a filling for lettuce wraps.
Nutrition
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an ESTIMATE only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.
Kathy Topping says
This is, by far, the best recipe I've gotten in years - Vegan or otherwise. I make it weekly and am always thankful I live alone, cauz that means this is ALL MINE! I use the super-firm tofu, 2 lemons, and use a stoneground mustard instead of the Dijon. I eat it over 3 or 4 meals and it keeps great in the fridge.
Nisha Melvani, RDN says
Thank you so much for letting me know. It makes my day to know how much you are enjoying it!
Zach says
I made this last week and wow! So much flavor packed into this and it's incredibly versatile. I didn't have sumac but I used coriander instead.
I ended up having it once in lettuce wraps, another time over couscous and then again in lettuce wraps but I chopped up some walnuts for added crunch and protein.
Nisha Melvani says
Love the walnut addition! Yes, I find this easy salad is so versatile. I'm so glad you are enjoying it. Thank you.
Natalie Martinek says
I made this for my meal prep this week and ate it over toast, it is DELICIOUS!!
Nisha Melvani says
It's one of my fave toast toppings! So happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for commenting.