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My family raves over this grilled BBQ tofu recipe. All you need are 2 ingredients, and you are rewarded with crispy, fluffy, and delicious tofu every time.
If you’re hungry for more tofu recipes, you’ll definitely want to try my air fryer tofu, crispy baked tofu, or salt and pepper tofu next!
Table of Contents
I love tofu, but not all of my family members feel the same way. Luckily, 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!
For this recipe, I kept the ingredients simple so the grill method is what shines. The tofu turns out extra crispy on the outside yet chewy in the center, while the BBQ sauce caramelizes and becomes extra sticky and flavorful.
Why I love this recipe
- Multiple cooking options. Once prepared, the tofu can be baked, seared, air fried, or my favorite, grilled. I tested every method so you can choose based on which method is most convenient!
- Works with everything. Whatever you’d serve air fryer BBQ chicken with would work just as well with grilled tofu.
- 2 key ingredients. All you need is tofu and barbecue sauce…plus some optional oil to get the tofu extra crispy.
- A crowd-pleaser. Tofu skeptics will find themselves begging you for the recipe–I promise!
Key ingredients
- Tofu. I strongly recommend using firm or extra firm tofu, as anything softer will crumble when you cook it. If time allows, press the tofu for 1 hour, up to 12 hours, to squeeze out excess moisture. This will help the tofu soak up more flavor and have a ‘meatier’ texture.
- BBQ sauce. The starring ingredient! Use your favorite sauce. I like Stubb’s BBQ sauce because it’s rich and caramelizes the tofu nicely. If you’re cutting down on sugar, try my sugar-free BBQ sauce recipe.
- Cooking spray. Optional, but if you want to keep your pans clean, add a spritz of olive oil to prevent the tofu from sticking.
How to make BBQ tofu
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Slice the tofu into thick slices. Place it in an airtight container, and add the BBQ sauce. Flip the container several times to coat all sides of the tofu in sauce.
Step 2- Cook. Preheat the grill, oil the grates, and grill the tofu. Cook it for several minutes, then flip and cook until crispy and golden.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Marinate the tofu overnight. There’s no harm in letting the tofu soak up the sauce overnight. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Seasoning. Before coating the tofu in sauce, season it with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for added flavor.
- Swap the sauce. Use Korean BBQ sauce or Carolina gold BBQ sauce for a spicy or tangy flavor.
- Add heat. Season the tofu with chili powder or add 1 tablespoon of gochujang (Korean chili paste) for some serious heat!
- Aromatics. Add fresh ginger and garlic to the sauce mixture for a brighter flavor.
Serving suggestions
- Use it in a sandwich, wrap, or air fryer quesadilla
- Enjoy it over salads, rice bowls, or couscous for more protein
- Serve it alongside grilled sweet potatoes and air fryer corn on the cob
- Skewer it and serve it over basmati rice
Frequently asked questions
Pressing tofu is optional, though I prefer it because it helps remove excess moisture. This in turn creates crispier tofu with more flavor.
Use plenty of oil to grease the grill grates, or consider grilling the tofu over a greased grill pan if you’re worried it will fall through the grates.
If your tofu is packed in brine, remove it from the package and place it on a heavy plate or cutting board. Store it this way for at least 2 hours, then discard the excess liquid before using.
BBQ Tofu
Ingredients
- 12 ounces extra firm tofu
- 1/2 cup Barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Slice tofu into one-inch thick slices and place in a plastic container. Add the barbecue sauce and turn the container upside down to coat both sides.
- Heat a grill over high heat. Once hot, lightly coat with oil and add the tofu. Cook for 3 minutes before flipping and cooking for another 3 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
Notes
Nutrition
More vegan protein-packed recipes
Originally updated October 2023, updated and republished December 2024
Oh barbeque flavour is the best really. But cannot find it…
For better absorption of flavour, after cutting up the tofu, place in a single layer on a baking sheet, then freeze solid. Defrost in fridge, pat dry with paper towel, then proceed step 2 in the Preparation section.
The freeze/thaw process will create many tiny pockets when the water drains away and where the goodness can get into.
YES!!!!! Thank you, Misha- I thought I was crazy for doing it that way, it really does! 🙂
Last week from Kroger’s, I picked up a free bottle of Stubbs Anytime Sauce, in the green chili flavor, so I’m stoked to try their BBQ flavor also. I love tofu and always get the extra firm type too. I’ve never used a tofu press but that may help with those hating the mushy tofu.
YES!!! A tofu press is a good idea, or just extra firm tofu 🙂 The green chilli flavor is AMAZING over chicken! 🙂
Wish I could have visited this booth! Anyways, my favorites for grilling have to be eggplants, zucchini, red bell peppers, Brussel sprouts, and tofu and tempeh, of course! I love this idea so much!
ooooooo you’ve got be craving eggplants now!!!!
I don’t know how you get me to drool over tofu. As you, I always considered it as a jello punishment. Although, I am a wimp when it comes to spicy food. I’d probably stick with Barbecue sauce.
Where can I get unicorn horn for your Mom’s marinade?
I promise….it will convert you! These sauces are like magic, I’d put it on a shoe and start eating shoes every day.
I had the chance to try Stubb’s, thanks to a dear generous friend 😉 And now my whole family is a huge fan!! We bought two more from the store this week 😀
One of my coworkers asked me the other day, “What is tofu?” What a lost world (granted, she just meant, what is tofu made of haha).
YES!!! I made Niki potato wedges with the BBQ sauce basted in it and it was SO GOOD!!!!
Haha, your co-worker is amazing. You should have said tofu was a band.
Even though I am not the biggest tofu fan I must say that this looks absolutely appealing! BBQ and spicy are very high on my list of flavor preferences ?
It’s such a good combination together- Seriously, best flavor combination!
What is this?? A savory dish? It still looks pretty delicious so I accept.
Haha, more to come! 😀
I love tofu and BBQ sauce, so I want to try this marinade. Easy stuff like this is really good for people like me who are lazy 🙂
Please do, it’s vegan friendly and had a great response from several who’ve already made it 🙂
I love spicy and I love BBQ. Sadly, I have yet to try tofu I liked. I’ve tried really hard to like it, I swear. It’s like lentils for me. It’s something that “healthy” people all seem to love, but I just can’t with the mush. I would totally douse some chicken in that spicy marinade though 😉
LOL! Lentils are terrible…but I promise this is good, the texture is on point! 😀
Oh yes! We’re big fan’s of Stubbs around here. I love their BBQ sauces and also their rubs. But I’m not so sure I can jump on the tofu bandwagon. It just looks so…squishy. I’m big on textures in foods, and I dunno. I guess I might be able to nibble on a piece just because you asked nicely. And because everything Australians say is true. 🙂
How GOOD are their sauces- I swear it could totally pass as a dip! This tofu would totally convert you, it’s crispy 😀