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Easy BBQ Tofu
Meaty and tender with crispy, charred exteriors, this BBQ Tofu Recipe is so delicious even meat-eaters will devour it. Though it does need to be pressed and marinated, the steps are simple, mainly hands-off, and totally worth it. Cook it on the grill (or stovetop grill pan) or roast it in the oven for perfectly caramelized tofu that's guaranteed to shake up your plant-based meals.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 14-oz block extra-firm tofu
- 1 cup vegan BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Press and marinate the tofu the night before cooking for the best flavor. If you don't have time to marinate overnight, see the marinating alternatives in the recipe notes section below.
- To press the tofu, remove it from its packaging, drain, and discard the liquid. Wrap the tofu in paper towels or a clean kitchen towel. Place the wrapped tofu on a small baking sheet or dinner plate and rest a heavy-bottomed pot, pizza stone, or tofu press on top. Press the tofu for 15-30 minutes. The longer you press, the more meaty, crisp, and tender the tofu will be upon cooking.
- Slice the pressed tofu into ½-inch thick squares or triangles.
- Pour ½ cup of vegan BBQ sauce into the bottom of a flat-bottomed container and layer the tofu slices over it. Pour the remaining BBQ sauce over the tofu, and shake the dish or use a spatula to make sure all of the tofu is completely covered in sauce.
- Cover and refrigerate the tofu to marinate for 8 hours to overnight, or until ready to cook.
Grilling
- Preheat the outdoor grill to medium heat or heat the grill pan on the stovetop over medium. Remove the tofu slices from the marinade and thread them on skewers. If you don't have skewers, you can also cook the tofu in a grill basket (if cooking on a grill) or directly on a grill pan on the stove.
- Place the tofu onto the grill and cook for 5 minutes or until grill marks have formed. Flip the tofu, baste with more BBQ sauce from the marinade container, and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove the tofu from the grill and serve!
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Remove the tofu slices from the marinade and transfer them to a cast iron skillet or parchment paper-lined baking pan. You can also slide the tofu onto skewers before adding them to the skillet or baking pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, baste the tofu with the BBQ sauce from the marinade, and bake another 5 minutes until tender and meaty.
Video
Notes
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Double up. This tasty tofu is devoured quickly, so consider doubling (or tripling) the recipe if this will be the protein main, you're making it for meal prep, or you plan to take it to a potluck/barbecue.
- Prepare ahead of time. For the best flavor and texture, press and marinate the tofu the night before cooking. I recommend pressing for at least 15-30 minutes and then marinating for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Tofu marinating alternatives. Don't have time to marinate overnight? I got you! Simmering the pressed tofu in the barbecue sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes will allow it to absorb the BBQ sauce flavors.
- Preparing skewers. Metal skewers can be used as-is, though you should soak wooden skewers in water for at least 10-15 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- Less mess. Thread the pressed tofu onto skewers before marinating. Place the skewered tofu into a large food storage container, and cover with BBQ sauce. Marinate overnight, then transfer the skewers to the grill or skillet when ready to cook.
- Refrigerating: Leftovers keep covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze cooled barbecue tofu in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, though the texture may change slightly upon defrosting and reheating. For best results, consume the tofu leftovers while fresh.
- Reheating: Warm the tofu in a 375°F oven for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave on medium heat for 1-2 minutes until hot. If reheating in the microwave, be sure to remove the metal skewers first.
Nutrition
Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 962mg | Potassium: 401mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 37g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 2mg