BBQ Tofu

This BBQ tofu needs just two simple ingredients and can be cooked in multiple ways. It’s super flavorful and filling.

Tofu is a highly underrated ingredient that has a bad reputation for no reason, in my opinion. I choose tofu over many meat options because, when it’s done right, it’s absolutely delicious! And it can be cooked in so many ways, like air fryer tofu or baked tofu.

If there’s a way to convert any tofu hater into a tofu lover, all you need to do is slather it in BBQ sauce to act as a tasty marinade, and you are done! I

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Beginner-friendly. All you need is 2 ingredients! Tofu absorbs flavors very well, so all you need is a good BBQ sauce, and you have a stellar dish.
• Multiple cooking options. Once prepared, the tofu can be grilled, baked, or seared. You can change up your technique depending on how much time you have and what you’re in the mood for.
• Quick and easy. Although I’m dousing the tofu in sauce, there isn’t any time needed for marinating so you can cook it right away.
• Perfectly cooked tofu. Thanks to the quick-cooking options and barbecue sauce, the tofu is super crispy and caramelized on the outside while still soft and fluffy in the middle.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe is so simple all you need is three essential ingredients, including your cooking oil.

• Tofu. You must use firm or extra firm tofu because these are the only two kinds that don’t fall apart when seared or fried. You can easily find this at any mainstream grocery store or specialty Asian supermarket.
• BBQ sauce. Because this is the star ingredient in this dish, you must use a good quality and delicious-tasting sauce. I like Stubb’s BBQ sauce because it’s got a fabulously rich flavor, and it caramelizes the tofu so well.
• Cooking spray. Optional, but if you want to keep your pans clean, add a spritz of oil to prevent the tofu from sticking.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Make BBQ Tofu

This recipe has the perfect balance of minimal hands-on prep with a super tasty final product. 

Step 1- Slice the tofu. Slice the tofu into slices around an inch thick; I find this is the perfect thickness for the marinade to penetrate all the way through.

Step 2– Add the sauce. Place the slices into a plastic container with a lid. Pour the BBQ sauce over the top and flip the slices so they’re fully covered.

Step 3- Grill. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, cook the tofu for 3 minutes before flipping and cooking the other side for another 3 minutes, or until golden.

Alternative cooking methods

As mentioned earlier, I’ve also tested this recipe in the oven and seared stovetop. Here is how you’d bake and sear it:

Baking instructions

Preheat your oven 180C/350F. Next, grease a baking sheet and lay the tofu on it in a single layer. Now, place the tofu in the oven and bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Searing instructions

Place some oil or butter in a skillet or grill pan over high heat. Once hot, sear the tofu in small batches for 3-5 minutes, until the edges crisp up. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Recipe tips and variations

• Use the right tofu for grilling. I know I already mentioned it in the ingredients section but you must use firm or extra firm tofu. Soft or semi-firm tofu will fall apart when flipped.
• Marinate overnight. If you want to prep this tofu ahead of time, you can place the tofu and the sauce in a shallow container and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. I find the flavor is so much better this way.
• Get it super crispy. In my opinion, the best tofu is crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. Don’t be scared to cook it a little longer to get that satisfying crunch.
• Add some chili. If you like things a little spicy, you can add some dried chili to the marinade to infuse some heat into your tofu. Hot sauce or sriracha also work.
• Try different sauces. I sometimes swap out the BBQ sauce with either eel sauce or katsu sauce. These two Asian sauces are very similar but have slightly different flavor profiles, which is great if you want some variety. Of course, you can use my classic tofu marinade, too.

Storage Instructions

To store: Allow the tofu to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days.

To reheat: If you want to retain that crispy texture, reheat by frying in a pan with a bit of oil. My favorite way to heat them up is using my air fryer, so I recommend using it if you have one.

I do not recommend freezing cooked tofu because it becomes dry and brittle when thawed.

More delicious ways to cook tofu

• Salt and pepper tofu
• Sofritas
• Pan fried tofu

Frequently Asked Questions