Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe {5 Ingredient LAZY Vegan Dinner Idea}

I’ve had this recipe on MAJOR repeat for the last several months, so I knew I HAD to write up a blog post to share this gem with you. This is my Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe, and this is a great LAZY vegan dinner idea. Did I mention you only 5 ingredients to make it? They’re pantry staples too! This is one of my go-tos when I want to eat healthy, but I don’t feel like putting a lot of effort into dinner.

Soy roasted tofu, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables

Easy, Lazy Dinner Idea

You know when you’ve had a long day, and you want to eat something healthy and tasty but you have NO energy left to get complicated in the kitchen? If that’s your vibe, this recipe is for you.

Here’s the high level recipe (see below for ingredients and more detailed steps):

  • Press tofu
  • Cut tofu into cubes
  • Add tofu to a container and add marinade ingredients and the lid
  • Gently shake/turn the container to evenly-ish distribute the marinade
  • Let the tofu marinate for at least about 20 minutes, turning once or twice (if you remember)
  • Bake
  • Enjoy

Easy-peasy!

I often enjoy this Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe with:

  • Roasted potatoes: has a similar cook time, so I’ll put these on another baking sheet and cook at the same time for extra efficiency and easy clean-up
  • Steamed veggies: easy to cook and relatively hands-free in case you want to safely work on other things while your food is cooking

Yum! But of course, it’s great with whatever combo of other foods you prefer.

Pressing tofu

Pressing the tofu is unfortunately a necessary step. I do try to test my limits in the kitchen and skip steps that are potentially non-essential. But every time I try skipping this one, my tofu doesn’t turn out as great. So although sort of annoying to do, I highly recommend pressing your tofu a bit to remove excess moisture. It will make this Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe taste way better.

A block of tofu cut into cubes

A Note on Cook Time

You can cook your tofu to your preferred golden-brownness. This recipe is pretty flexible. I recommend trying it at different cooking times to see what you like best.

The size of your tofu cubes doesn’t have to be exact. However, if you cut your cubes smaller or larger than mine, your tofu may cook faster or require additional time. Experiment to see what size you prefer in terms of cooking time as well as for eating enjoyment.

Tofu with some garlic salt on a measuring spoon

LAZY Tofu Marinade

Okay, so there are better marinades out there for tofu. I’m just being honest. However, most of them require several ingredients and extra effort through grating fresh garlic and ginger. Which also requires that you have both of those on hand.

This recipe features a *lazy* marinade with just a couple simple ingredients. This is on purpose because I think it still tastes great, and sometimes I can’t be bothered to do all that extra grating and ingredient gathering / shopping.

If you can relate, this recipe is for you.

Simple soy roasted tofu recipe marinade

3 Ingredient Quick Soy Tofu Marinade

Also, the marinade for this Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe is *quick*. Some recipes I’ve over the years require overnight marination. Who plans that far ahead on a busy weeknight? Maybe you do (and that’s great if you do). But if you’re more an on-the-go, Imma eat what I feel like that day kind of person, then, we’re on the same page. And you may end up making this recipe as much as I do.

You’ll also only need 3 ingredients for this marinade, and they’re pantry staples:

  • Soy sauce
  • Vegetable broth
  • Sesame oil
  • Garlic salt (or sub garlic powder)

That’s it!

Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe

Is It Better to Pan Fry or Roast Tofu?

So, you want to know if it’s better to pan fry or roast / bake tofu? The answer depends on the outcome you want.

Personally, I cook them both ways. I even use this same marinade and sometimes pan fry instead of roasting.

Pan Frying Tofu

  • Benefits: Can be a little faster, can make more of a sauce vs light coating
  • Cons: Uses more oil, you have to watch it and be focused on cooking it

Roasting Tofu

  • Benefits: Hands free – pop it in the oven and use your time on other things
  • Cons: Have to wait for the oven to pre-heat

So there’s really no right or wrong, but you may choose one over the other depending on your needs/wants at the time of cooking your tofu.

Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe

Ways to Enjoy This Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe

  • As your main protein
  • As a salad topper
  • As a bowl topper – grain bowl, buddha bowl, etc.
  • Stirred into a veggie or noodle stir-fy
  • On top of ramen

Happy cooking!

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Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe

Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe {LAZY Vegan Dinner Idea}

  • Author: Diana
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

This recipe is perfect for your busy weeknights / days because it is SO easy for when you want to eat something healthy and tasty but you are also feeling lazy. Haha! This is really low effort. Plus it’s great for meal prep! Use the leftover tofu for a future meal or for a simple, tasty salad or bowl protein topping.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block organic tofu, pressed and cut into cubes
  • 12 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt (or sub garlic powder to be less salty)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a standard size baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium-large container, add tofu cubes and drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle with garlic salt. Cover. Gently turn container to evenly distribute the marinade.
  3. Marinate for at least 20 minutes, turning the container once or twice (or when you remember).
  4. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 20-24 minutes.
  5. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can bake the tofu longer for a more golden brown finish – experiment to find your preferred finished texture.
  • The size of your tofu cubes may impact your cooking time (smaller -> faster, larger -> slower) – cook to your preferred golden-brownness. 
  • We like 2 (or sometimes 3) tablespoons of soy sauce, but that will make the sodium level pretty high – just a note if sodium is something you track
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More Easy Vegan Dinner Recipe Ideas

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Spaghetti Pasta with Veggie Sausage and Marinara Recipe

Quick Veggie Bean Soup Recipe

Lazy Low Carb Fried Rice Recipe

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Thank you for checking out my Simple Soy Roasted Tofu Recipe {LAZY Vegan Dinner Idea}! Happy cooking and eating!

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