Name: Baked BBQ Tofu
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 1 (14 oz.) block organic extra firm tofu; 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp. store-bought barbecue sauce, divided; 1 tbsp gluten-free, reduced sodium tamari ((can substitute with soy sauce if you are not gluten-free)); 2 tsp apple cider vinegar; 2 tsp olive oil; 1 tsp nutritional yeast; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

This flavor-packed BBQ tofu is first marinated in a mixture of vegan barbecue sauce, tamari, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika before being oven-baked and then smothered in more barbecue sauce. Perfect alone, over rice or quinoa, on a salad or grain bowl or in a wrap. Delicious hot or cold and great for meal-prepping! Super satisfying and easy to make with less than 10 ingredients!

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front view of tofu over rice on a white plate

I have a confession to make.

I think I am addicted to tofu.

Like, seriously.

I am constantly being caught popping some of these leftover Buffalo tofu bites in my mouth right from the fridge.

And now I find myself doing the same thing with this BBQ tofu.

baked bbq tofu on a white plate on a kitchen towel

I suppose there are worse things than eating too much tofu, right?

Anyway, what do you expect when it just tastes so darn yummy? 😉

So, get out your tofu press (or a large pot or heavy book) and a sheet pan and let's make some tofu!

overhead of tofu over rice on a white plate with a fork on the plate

How to make baked BBQ tofu

Step 1 - Press the tofu

Open the package of tofu and drain any excess water. If you have a tofu press, press the tofu for 20 minutes.

If you do not have a tofu press, place the block of tofu in the center of a clean, absorbent kitchen towel on a sturdy plate. Wrap the tofu with the towel.

Place a heavy object, such as a large pot or some books on top of the tofu and press for 30 minutes.

Step 2 - Make the marinade

While the tofu is pressing, whisk together barbecue sauce, tamari, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika in a mixing bowl.

marinade ingredients mixed together in mixing bowl

Step 3 - Marinate the tofu

Cut the tofu into cubes, approximately ¾"-1" thick.

Add the tofu to the marinade.

Tofu pieces added to the marinade in the mixing bowl

Carefully use a silicone spatula to evenly coat.

Tofu pieces coated with marinade in the mixing bowl

Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While the tofu is marinating, preheat your oven to 400° F.

Step 4 - Bake the tofu

Place the tofu on a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer.

Uncooked tofu pieces on parchment-lined baking sheet

Rinse out the mixing bowl and set it aside for future use.

Bake for 30 minutes at 400° F, carefully flipping once halfway through. I used tongs to flip each piece individually.

Step 5 - Coat the tofu

Add barbecue sauce to the mixing bowl.

Carefully use tongs to place each piece of hot tofu into the sauce.

Tofu added to the barbecue sauce in mixing bowl

Use the silicone spatula to coat the cooked tofu with the sauce.

Cooked tofu coated in barbecue sauce in mixing bowl with silicone spatula

Enjoy!

holding a fork with a piece of tofu on it up over a white dish with more tofu on it

What's the best tofu to use?

Extra firm tofu works best for this recipe. Some of my favorite brands are Nasoya, 365 Everyday Value and Greenwise.

What's the best BBQ sauce to use?

You can use any store-bought barbecue sauce your heart desires, but be sure to check the label to ensure the ingredients are vegan as well as gluten-free, if needed.

Some of my favorites are Annie's Original, Annie's Sweet & Spicy, Primal Kitchen Classic, Tessemae's Matty's style and Tessemae's Diggy's Sweet and Spicy style.

If you prefer, you can opt for a homemade barbecue sauce instead. Here are some options for basic vegan barbecue sauces from some of my favorite bloggers:

And if you'd like to change up the flavor, try this Blueberry BBQ Sauce from Make it Dairy Free or this Strawberry BBQ Sauce from Vegan Yack Attack.

Primal Kitchen also has a mango jalapeno as well as a Hawaiian style.

Can I omit the oil?

Yes, you can leave out the oil, but please note that it does help to balance out the flavor of the marinade and to crisp up the edges of the tofu during the baking process.

Ideas for serving BBQ tofu

Enjoy over rice or quinoa with some steamed veggies on the side, as part of a salad or grain bowl, on a sandwich with some vegan coleslaw or in a wrap like this one I made with hummus, spring mix greens and tomatoes.

tofu in a wrap with hummus, greens and tomatoes

It's also great as a main with our:

Storing for later

You can store the tofu in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

close up of tofu over rice on a white plate

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5 from 3 votes

Baked BBQ Tofu

This flavor-packed BBQ tofu is first marinated in a mixture of vegan barbecue sauce, tamari, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika before being oven-baked and then smothered in more barbecue sauce. Perfect alone, over rice or quinoa, on a salad or grain bowl or in a wrap. Delicious hot or cold and great for meal-prepping! Super satisfying and easy to make with less than 10 ingredients!

Course Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Keyword BBQ food, dairy-free, gluten free, tofu, vegan, vegetarian

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Servings -5

Calories 220kcal

Author Sherri Hall

Ingredients

1 (14 oz.) block organic extra firm tofu
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp. store-bought barbecue sauce, divided (*check label to ensure ingredients are vegan and also gluten-free if needed; use homemade if preferred)
1 tablespoon gluten-free, reduced sodium tamari (can substitute with soy sauce if you are not gluten-free)
2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

Open the package of tofu and drain any excess water. Press the tofu using a tofu press or the kitchen towel/heavy object method as described in the **notes below. Depending on the method used, the tofu will need to press for 20-30 minutes.
While the tofu is pressing, add 2 tablespoons of the barbecue sauce, tamari, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder and smoked paprika to a mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
Cut the tofu into cubes, approximately ¾"-1" thick. Add the tofu to the marinade and carefully use a silicone spatula to evenly coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the tofu is marinating, preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread the tofu out on the baking sheet in a single layer. Rinse out the mixing bowl and set it aside for future use. Bake the tofu for 30 minutes at 400° F, carefully flipping once halfway through (I used tongs to flip each piece individually).
Add the remaining ¼ cup of barbecue sauce to the mixing bowl and carefully use tongs to place each piece of hot tofu into the sauce. Use the silicone spatula to coat the cooked tofu with the sauce. Serve as desired.

(Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

Notes

*See the post above for vegan BBQ sauce recommendations.

**To press the tofu without a tofu press: Place the block of tofu in the center of a clean, absorbent kitchen towel on a sturdy plate. Wrap the tofu with the towel. Place a heavy object, such as a large pot or some books on top of the tofu. Please note that the item(s) you use will get wet.

You can store the tofu in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Nutrition

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Baked BBQ Tofu