This BBQ tofu recipe is so easy to make with just 2 ingredients! The tofu is marinated in bbq sauce and baked until firm. Serve with cornbread and mashed potatoes for a full vegetarian barbecue experience.
Barbecue sauce is one of my favorite flavors, and I’m always seeking out new ways to create good vegetarian barbecue recipes that will satisfy my craving.
This is a baked tofu recipe that is marinated in bbq sauce and smothered in a little extra for good measure. It’s an easy, delicious option for busy weeknights or lazy weekends (Press the tofu in the morning! Marinate it while you’re at work or when you get home! Bake it while you relax!).
Baking tofu keeps it crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Make sure you press your tofu well to avoid that squishy texture that no one likes about tofu.
If you’re living in a house with meat eaters, they can cook their own meat alongside the tofu and you can all enjoy a meal together. It’s also easy to cook more or less depending on the size of your family.
BBQ tofu ingredients
- Extra firm ofu
- BBQ sauce
How to make bbq tofu
- Press the tofu. See notes below on how to do this easily.
- Cut the tofu into bite size pieces and marinate in ½ cup bbq sauce.
- Transfer the tofu to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the tofu at 375ºF for 20 minutes, brush with left over marinade, and return to the oven for 30 minutes.
- Toss tofu with extra bbq sauce before serving.
Top tips
What kind of tofu to use for baked tofu
I recommend using only extra firm tofu to make this recipe. Other types of tofu will result in an extremely soft texture.
How to press tofu
I recently bought this EZ Tofu Press (affiliate link) and love how easy it is to use! I put the tofu in the middle of the press (no need to cut it at all), tighten the screws down to hold it in place, and place it sideways on a plate to let the water drain out.
Tighten the screws down a few turns every few minutes until little to no liquid is still coming out and you have a very firm piece of tofu.
If you don’t have a tofu press, you can press tofu without a press. Simply place the tofu (I like to cut it into two flat sheets) on a plate layered with paper towels and place something heavy on top like a cast iron pan for 15-30 minutes.
What kind of barbecue sauce to buy
When a recipe has so few ingredients like this, the ingredients you choose make a big difference in the taste. I’m sure you have a favorite bbq sauce (mine is Organicville Original BBQ Sauce). If ingredients are important to you you’ll want to make sure you check if your ingredients are vegan or gluten-free.
Can I pan fry bbq tofu?
If you want pan fried tofu, I recommend pan frying it without marinating since the bbq sauce will probably burn before the tofu gets crispy. Simply toss pan fried tofu with bbq sauce before serving.
Can I make bbq tofu in the air fryer?
I tried this recipe in the air fryer and it burned fairly quickly due to the sugar in the bbq sauce. If you want to make air fried tofu, I recommend cooking it and then tossing it in bbq sauce without marinating.
Tips for customizing bbq tofu
- Break your pressed tofu up with your hands instead of cutting it for a more rustic texture
- Create a barbecue tofu sandwich by adding this recipe to a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and cheese
- Swap this tofu in for the chickpeas in my bbq chickpea salad
- Make your own spicy bbq sauce or change up store bought versions for different flavor
What to serve with barbecue tofu
- Cheesy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Moist and Fluffy Cornbread
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad
- Homemade Veggie Nuggets
- Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw
- Potato Wedges
More tofu recipes
- Vegan Ham
- The Best Tofu Marinade
- The Best Crispy Tofu
- Cajun Tofu
- Scrambled Tofu
- Balsamic Tofu
- Pan Fried Peanut Tofu
- Kung Pao Tofu
- Thai Tofu Sauce
I hope you enjoy this bbq tofu recipe!
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
BBQ Tofu
Ingredients
- 14 ounces extra firm tofu, pressed
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce, divided
Instructions
- Cut tofu into bite size pieces.
- In a shallow bowl or baking dish, gently toss tofu with ½ cup bbq sauce. Cover with plastic wrap or other cover, refrigerate, and let marinate for 30 minutes or more, turning once.
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Transfer the tofu to the baking sheet, scraping off most of the excess bbq sauce and arranging it in a single layer. Reserve the bbq sauce you used for marinating.
- Bake the tofu for 20 minutes. Turn the tofu and brush with some of the reserved marinade.
- Return the tofu to the oven and bake another 30 minutes or until it is crispy and lightly browned. Be sure to watch it towards the end to prevent burning.
- Brush or drizzle cooked tofu with the remaining ¼ cup unused bbq sauce before serving.
Notes
How to press tofu
Use a tofu press to press the tofu for 30 minutes. If you don’t have a tofu press, slice the tofu into two flat sheets and layer them with several paper towels on a plate. Top with something heavy like a cast iron pan or a plate with a few cans on it. Let rest for 30 minutes.Tips for customizing bbq tofu
- Break your pressed tofu up with your hands instead of cutting it for a more rustic texture
- Create a bbq tofu sandwich by adding this recipe to a brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and cheese
- Swap this tofu in for the chickpeas in my bbq chickpea salad
- Make your own spicy bbq sauce or change up store bought versions for different flavor
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