This Vegan BBQ Tofu is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but also special enough for the holidays. If you’re looking for a main dish to serve at a meat free Thanksgiving this year, you’ve got to give this recipe a try. The homemade BBQ sauce is packed with so much flavor and the tofu is quick to prepare. Enjoy with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggies for a hearty plant based dinner.
Thanksgiving is creeping up quickly and although I don’t have our full menu planned, I do know that this Vegan BBQ Tofu will be on it. I love a plant based main dish that is easy to make and can even be prepared ahead of time. The homemade bbq sauce is rich, smoky and full of flavor, which goes perfectly with all the regular holiday side dishes. Of course, this tasty tofu dish can also be enjoyed for a weeknight dinner that’s cozy and filling.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Tofu Recipe
- Packed with flavor – The homemade BBQ sauce packs so much flavor and really makes the tofu shine. You can marinate the tofu beforehand, but I find that it gets enough flavor from the sauce.
- Great vegetarian main – If you’re looking for an easy vegan/vegetarian main dish, you should definitely try this bbq tofu out. It doesn’t take long to prepare and is special enough for the holiday table.
- Hearty and filling – Tofu is packed with protein and I find it to be very filling. I usually eat 2 slices of bbq tofu with a couple sides and it fills me up, without being too heavy.
BBQ Tofu Recipe Tips
- Freeze and thaw your tofu – If you want your tofu to have a really chewy texture, you can freeze it and then thaw it before you slice it up. I don’t personally love mine prepared that way, but some people swear by the texture that it gives the tofu. I talk more about this method here.
- Add molasses – Not only does molasses add a rich deep flavor to this homemade bbq sauce, but it also adds extra iron to this recipe, in case you’re trying to up your iron intake.
- Make it spicy – This bbq sauce is mild in flavor, but if you want to add some extra spice, you can use Calabrian chili peppers, garlic chili paste or red pepper flakes. Just add to taste.
Smoky BBQ Tofu Recipe Ingredients
- Tofu – I prefer using super-firm, high-protein tofu for this recipe. I buy mine at Trader Joe’s, but I’ve also seen it at Sprouts and Walmart. It has an excellent texture for a recipe like this, and you don’t have to spend time pressing it before using it. If you can’t find super-firm tofu, extra-firm will also work well.
- BBQ Sauce – I like to make my BBQ sauce for this recipe. You can use a bottled store-bought sauce, but I prefer the depth of flavor you get when it’s homemade. My BBQ sauce is made with marinara, tamari, maple syrup, dijon mustard, cider vinegar, cooked onion and lots of spices.
How To Make Easy BBQ Tofu Slices
- Pat tofu dry and press, if needed, and then slice into about 6 equal pieces. You can cut the tofu anyway you like for this recipe, I just prefer it in big slices when serving it as a main dish at the holiday table.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add in 2 teaspoons olive oil. Place the tofu slices down, in a single layer, and pour over the tamari. Let tofu cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove tofu from the pan and set aside.
- Add in a little extra olive oil, if needed, and then add in the diced onion, along with a small pinch of salt. Cook onion until softened and starting to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooked onion and garlic to a blender. Next, add in all of the bbq sauce ingredients and blend until you have a smooth sauce, about 30 seconds. Pour the sauce into the pan and place over medium heat. Let sauce come to a low simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes before adding the cooked tofu slices back in.
- Cover the tofu with the bbq sauce and cook until tofu is heated through. Bbq tofu can be enjoyed right away, or stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Re-heat tofu in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
Recipe Frequently Asked Questions
- This recipe is already vegan and gluten free. Just make sure to use a gluten free soy sauce, or tamari, in the sauce.
- Can bottled bbq sauce be used? You can use store-bought bbq sauce if you like, but if you have the time and ingredients, I highly recommend making it from scratch.
- Can this bbq tofu be made ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare this entire recipe ahead of time and then just re-heat right before serving.
- How long do leftovers last? If stored in an air-tight container, in the refrigerator, leftovers should last about 4-5 days.
- Can the tofu be replaced? Yes, you can replace the tofu in this recipe with tempeh, lentils, chickpeas or another type of bean you like.
- How should this tofu recipe be served? I like to serve this bbq tofu as a main dish, along side potatoes and vegetables.
Have a question I didn’t answer? Ask me in the comment section below and I will get back to you ASAP!
Looking For More Flavorful Tofu Recipes?
Sweet and Smoky Tofu Lunch Meat
Cheesy Broccoli Rice Casserole with Tofu
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BBQ Tofu
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
This Vegan BBQ Tofu is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but also special enough for the holidays. If you’re looking for a main dish to serve at a meat free Thanksgiving this year, you’ve got to give this recipe a try. The homemade BBQ sauce is packed with so much flavor and the tofu is quick to prepare. Enjoy with mashed potatoes and your favorite veggies for a hearty plant based dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (16 oz) package super firm tofu
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tamari, or soy sauce
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
Instructions
- Pat tofu dry and press, if needed, and then slice into about 6 equal pieces. You can cut the tofu anyway you like for this recipe, I just prefer it in big slices when serving it as a main dish at the holiday table.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add in 2 teaspoons olive oil. Place the tofu slices down, in a single layer, and pour over the tamari. Let tofu cook until golden brown on each side, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove tofu from the pan and set aside.
- Add in a little extra olive oil, if needed, and then add in the diced onion, along with a small pinch of salt. Cook onion until softened and starting to brown, 2-3 minutes. Add in the minced garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooked onion and garlic to a blender. Next, add in all of the bbq sauce ingredients and blend until you have a smooth sauce, about 30 seconds. Pour the sauce into the pan and place over medium heat. Let sauce come to a low simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes before adding the cooked tofu slices back in.
- Cover the tofu with the bbq sauce and cook until tofu is heated through. Bbq tofu can be enjoyed right away, or stored in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Re-heat tofu in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
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