Big BBQ Tofu Sandwiches

Barbecue sauce is one of the best flavorings for bland but friendly tofu, as you’ll see when you try these big, bold, BBQ tofu sandwiches. The flavor comes from the sauce, so you don’t literally need to fire up the grill (unless you want to!). 

The BBQ-flavored tofu in combination with the sautéed onion and pepper can be served over rice or other grains if you prefer that to bread. It can also be served without carbs, as a high-protein tofu side dish.

What to serve with BBQ Tofu Sandwiches

This makes an easy dinner for four, so if you’re looking for more servings, simply double the recipe.

• Keep it simple and accompany this meal with fresh corn and a lettuce and tomato salad.
• For a larger meal, add a simple potato salad (see our bountiful roundup of vegan potato salads) baked sweet potatoes. Or a simple coleslaw is a great addition — Fruity Red Cabbage Slaw is a nice foil to the BBQ flavor.

Vegan Barbecue Sauce — bottled or homemade

Though I’m all in on high-quality prepared sauces to use as shortcuts, I’ve never actually found a bottled barbecue sauce that I’ve fallen in love with. It’s always something — too sweet, too salty, too smoky.

That’s why I’ve been making a version of the nearly-instant sauce given in the recipe for a long while. If you’d like to bookmark it for use in other recipes calling for BBQ sauce, here’s our Easy No-Cook Vegan Barbecue Sauce — it’s nearly effortless to make, and so very good!

That said, I’ve provided the option of using the shortcut of a bottled BBQ sauce,  for those of you who’ve found one you like.

Explore more …

• Easy tofu recipes for every meal of the day
• BBQ-Flavored Lentil Sloppy Joes

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Yield: 4

Big BBQ-Flavored Tofu Sandwiches

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Barbecue sauce is one of the best flavorings for bland but friendly tofu, as you’ll see when you try these big, bold, BBQ-flavored tofu sandwiches.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

No-Cook BBQ Sauce (or see shortcut in notes)

• 3/4 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 to 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, to taste
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 2 teaspoons barbecue seasoning (like mesquite or smoky maple)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano or basil

The rest

• 14-ounce tub firm or extra-firm tofu
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 large onion, quartered and thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, any color, cut into short narrow strips
• 4 large soft whole-grain round or hero rolls, or 1 long baguette (see note)

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a mixing bowl and stir together. Set aside.
2. Cut the tofu into 6 slabs crosswise. Blot well on paper towels or clean tea towels, Or better yet, use a tofu press ahead of time. Cut each slab into dice.
3. Heat half of the oil in a medium skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until translucent. Add the bell pepper and continue to sauté until the onion is golden. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover, and set aside.
4. Heat the remaining oil in the same skillet. Add the tofu and sauté over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until golden on most sides. 
5. Meanwhile, prepare the barbecue sauce according to directions. Pour 1/2 cup of it into the skillet, and stir to coat the tofu. Cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the sauce reduces and gets absorbed into the tofu. Finally, pour in the remaining sauce and cook for a minute or two longer.
6. Divide the tofu mixture between the bottoms of the bread you’re using and top with the onion and bell pepper mixture. Cover with the tops of the breads. Or, you can make the sandwiches open face. Either way, serve with plenty of napkins!

Notes

If you've found a brand of bottled barbecue sauce that you like, you can opt to use it instead. You'll need about a cup.

If you use a baguette, choose one that’s not too skinny, and preferably, whole grain. Cut it into 4 sections and split open.

See more vegan sandwiches & wraps.