I Only Used 2 Ingredients—But This BBQ Tofu Might Be My Best Yet

Meaty and tender with crispy, charred exteriors, this 2-ingredient 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.

Growing up, tofu was a staple in my parents’ vegetarian houses and as a vegan adult, I continue to cook with it multiple times a week. With that much exposure, you could say that if there’s a way to prepare or cook tofu, I’ve most-likely tried it!

Whether marinated, seasoned or roasted into Sofritas, scrambled into “eggs,” crafted into Vegan Chicken Nuggets, or prepared in myriad other ways, you could say I am a tofu afficionado.

And yet, there’s one simple tofu recipe that will stop me in my tracks: BBQ tofu. Made with two humble ingredients (tofu + BBQ sauce) in simple cooking methods (grilling or roasting), the results always hook me—meaty and tender tofu, with crisp edges, grill marks, and a sticky tangy, smoky barbecue sauce glaze. Sign. Me. Up.

While I’m definitely not above snacking on it straight from the skewer, it also makes a meat-eater-approved main dish and is delicious added to anything from grain bowls and sandwiches to tacos and salads. With two easy cooking options, it’s a recipe I come back to year-round—no grill season required.

Ingredients

Extra-Firm Tofu: The belle of this BBQ tofu recipe ball! Extra-firm tofu is easy to find at major grocery stores (look for it in the health food or Asian foods section), budget-friendly, and has a low moisture content. You can also use super-firm tofu if preferred or for a shorter pressing time (see more in the FAQ section below).

Vegan BBQ Sauce: Homemade or store-bought. Though many store-bought BBQ sauces are plant-based and vegan, not all are, so be sure to check the ingredient label. Ingredients to watch out for are worcestershire sauce, honey, or anchovy paste. To keep things easy (and know what I’m eating), I usually make it myself. It’s surprisingly easy and turns out so tangy and smoky (cue the mouth watering!).

How to Make BBQ Tofu

Come and join me in the kitchen to make this easy, plant-based protein! First, we’ll press and marinate the tofu and then we’ll choose our cooking method: grilling (stovetop or outdoors) or baking.

Press and Marinate the Tofu

• Press Tofu. Remove the tofu 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.

• Cut Tofu. Slice the pressed tofu into ½-inch thick squares or triangles.

• Marinate. 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 ensure all the tofu is completely covered in sauce. Cover and refrigerate the tofu to marinate overnight or until ready to cook.

Pro-Tip: Don’t have time to marinate overnight? No problem! To quickly infuse the tofu with flavor, simmer the pressed tofu in the BBQ sauce over medium heat for 10 minutes and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Grill or Bake the Tofu

Grilling

• Prepare Tofu. Preheat the outdoor grill to medium heat or heat the grill pan on the stovetop over medium. Remove the tofu slices from the bbq tofu marinade and thread them on skewers. If you don’t have skewers, you can cook the tofu in a grill basket (if cooking on a grill) or directly on a grill pan on the stove.
• Grill. Place the tofu onto the grill and cook for 5-10 minutes (depending on the heat of your grill) 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

• Prepare Tofu. Preheat the oven to 425°F. If using a cast iron skillet or baking pan, place it in the oven while it comes to heat. 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 15 minutes, flip, and baste the top of the tofu with the BBQ sauce from the marinade, and bake another 5 minutes until tender and meaty. Serve the BBQ baked tofu hot!

Storage Directions

• 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 still fresh. 
• Reheating: Warm the tofu in a 375°F oven for 5-8 minutes or in the microwave on medium heat for 1 minute until hot. If reheating in the microwave, be sure to remove the metal skewers first.

Serving Suggestions

This barbecue tofu is seriously versatile — there are countless ways to enjoy it. We’re talking:

• Cookout Style – In the photos I featured the grilled tofu with a Mediterranean Pasta Salad and Beet Fennel Salad for healthy cookout vibes.
• BBQ Plates – Plate it up with Corn Ribs, Mac & Cheese, vegan baked beans, and Cornbread for a full-fledged plant-based feast.
• Sandwiches or Wraps – Tuck slices into your favorite sandwich or wrap, adding protein and flavor.
• Bowls – Swap BBQ tofu for sofritas in Vegan Burrito Bowls or add it to a grain bowl with Coconut Rice or quinoa, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Air Fryer Broccolini, pickled veggies, and Avocado Salad Dressing.
• Tacos – Scoop the tofu into toasted corn or flour tortillas, top with slaw and a squeeze of lime and serve them with Black Bean Salad or Air Fryer Plantains.
• Salads – Add a protein and texture boost by sprinkling this on your next bowl of greens, such as Baby Kale Salad or Mango Avocado Salad.
• Meal Prep – Pack the tofu squares up in portioned containers with Lentil Salad, steamed brown rice, and sautéed veggies for healthy grab-and-go meals all week.

Frequently Asked Questions

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