BBQ Tofu Recipe
If you're a regular tofu eater, then you've likely gotten pretty creative with how you prepare the protein. One of the best things about tofu is that it's a blank slate that's just begging to be drenched in sauces, seasonings, and spices. On one hand, it's exciting to think of all the possible ways to prepare tofu. On the other hand, it can be a bit intimidating when there are so many options. Well, sometimes the best way to prepare tofu calls for simple, minimal ingredients, and this BBQ tofu recipe is a great example.
Recipe developer Susan Olayinka of The Flexible Fridge came up with this tasty tofu recipe, and she loves "the crispiness" of it. "I actually used to be a vegan and I really love the crispy food," she explains, lamenting over "mushy" foods. After all, who wants mushy tofu — or mushy anything, for that matter? "Also, what's not to love about barbecue sauce?" she adds, and we have to agree. For this tofu recipe, you can give your spices a rest and rely on the delicious flavor of barbecue sauce — so let's dive right in!
Gather the ingredients to make BBQ tofu
One of the best things about this BBQ tofu recipe is that it requires minimal ingredients, making it ideal for busy weeknights. For this recipe, you'll need some extra firm tofu, salt, pepper, cornstarch, vegetable oil, and barbecue sauce. With these six ingredients, you can transform plain, bland tofu into something super flavorful. And, thanks to the cornstarch and vegetable oil, you'll fry the tofu, giving it that wonderful "crispy" texture that Olayinka loves.
Press and cut the tofu
As with many tofu recipes, you'll want to start this one by pressing the tofu. You can use a tofu press for this step, or you can simply put the block of tofu in between pieces of paper towel, then place a heavy object on top for 15 minutes. A cast-iron pan or heavy plate work well as makeshift tofu presses. "Ensure that all of the water is drained out so this will make it extra crunchy," Olayinka advises. After the tofu is done pressing and the excess water has drained, cut the tofu into roughly 1-inch cubes.
Season and fry the tofu
It's time to start dressing up the tofu. Most of the flavor in this recipe is going to come from the barbecue sauce, but you still want to give your tofu some flavor from seasoning. Place the tofu cubes onto a large plate and add the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Mix everything together to ensure that each piece of tofu is evenly coated with the seasoning and cornstarch.
Now, put a frying pan on the stove over medium-high heat, and add in the oil. Once the oil has heated up, drop in the tofu cubes, and allow them to cook for 2 minutes on each side. So, in total, the tofu should cook for about 12 minutes.
Add the sauce and serve
Once your tofu is done frying, there's just one last step: Toss it in barbecue sauce. After all, it wouldn't be BBQ tofu without the sauce, right? So, simply place the cooked tofu in a bowl or on a plate, pour the barbecue sauce over the top, and mix it all together. Just like that, you're ready to serve and enjoy this delicious BBQ tofu! As for pairing options, Olayinka suggests a variety of potatoes, including mashed or sweet, or "any grain." Whichever way you choose to serve up this dish, you'll relish in the warm and comforting flavors of the barbecue sauce, along with the delicious crispiness of fried tofu.
- 14 ounces extra-firm tofu
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Press the tofu between paper towels with a weighted item on top for 15 minutes. This is to release the water.
- Cut the pressed tofu into 1-inch cubes.
- Place the tofu on a large plate and add the salt, pepper, and cornstarch on top. Mix together with your hands or tongs.
- Add oil into a frying pan and heat it to medium-high heat
- Fry the tofu for 12 minutes, turning it over so each side is cooked for 2 minutes.
- Once evenly-fried, place the tofu into a serving dish and pour the barbecue sauce over the top. Make sure each piece of tofu is coated.
- It is now ready to be served.
| Calories per Serving | 618 |
| Total Fat | 43.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 48.6 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.2 g |
| Total Sugars | 32.5 g |
| Sodium | 995.7 mg |
| Protein | 11.7 g |
