Tofu Transformed: Bbq Sauce Magic

Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, and when cooked with BBQ sauce, it becomes a delicious and flavourful meal. BBQ tofu is a great option for those looking for a meat-free alternative, and it can be made in a variety of ways, including baking, grilling, or pan-frying. The key to getting the right texture is to press the tofu before cooking, which gives it a firmer and chewier texture. The tofu is then cut into slabs, cubes, or steaks and coated in a dry rub or BBQ sauce. It can be served in sandwiches, bowls, or as a side dish, making it a perfect option for a summer cookout.

How to grill tofu with BBQ sauce

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to grill tofu with BBQ sauce:

• Extra-firm tofu
• BBQ sauce
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Paper towels
• Heavy object like a skillet, pot, or large can
• Chopsticks or tongs

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Press the Tofu

The first step is to press the tofu to remove excess water. This step is important as it gives the tofu a firmer texture and makes it less likely to fall apart during cooking. You can use a tofu press or simply wrap the block of tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a cutting board with something heavy on top, such as cans or a cast-iron skillet. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Grill

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Make sure the grill is clean and well-oiled to prevent the tofu from sticking.

Step 3: Cut the Tofu

While the grill is heating up, cut the tofu into slabs, cubes, or steaks. For grilling, it is recommended to cut the tofu into cubes or steaks of at least 1/2-inch thickness to prevent breakage.

Step 4: Season the Tofu

Drizzle olive oil over the tofu and season with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings into the oil to coat all sides of the tofu evenly.

Step 5: Grill the Tofu

Place the tofu on the hot grill and cook for 2 to 5 minutes on each side, or until grill marks are formed and the tofu releases easily from the grates.

Step 6: Brush with BBQ Sauce

Once the tofu is grilled to your liking, generously brush BBQ sauce onto all sides of the tofu. You can use a store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own by combining ingredients like ketchup, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

Step 7: Grill for a Few More Minutes

After brushing with BBQ sauce, place the tofu back on the grill for an additional 2 minutes on each side, or until well-charred. This will allow the sauce to caramelize and give the tofu a nice glossy coating.

Step 8: Serve Hot

Your grilled BBQ tofu is now ready to be served! Enjoy it as a sandwich, in a bowl, or as a side dish with grilled vegetables, coleslaw, or cornbread.

Tips and Variations

• If you are using wooden skewers for grilling tofu cubes, remember to soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning.
• You can also bake the tofu in the oven at 400-450°F for a chewier texture. Simply place the tofu on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, brushing with BBQ sauce halfway through.
• For a crispier texture, toss the tofu in a mixture of olive oil, cornstarch, and salt before baking.
• Feel free to experiment with different types of BBQ sauce and add additional seasonings like smoked paprika, onion powder, or chili sauce to suit your taste preferences.

How to bake tofu with BBQ sauce

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to bake tofu with BBQ sauce:

• Tofu (extra-firm or super-firm)
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Other seasonings (e.g. garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper)

Step 1: Press the Tofu

Pressing the tofu removes excess water, making it firmer and chewier, and helps it absorb more flavour during cooking. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place something heavy like a skillet on top for 30 minutes or even overnight.

Step 2: Cut the Tofu

Cut the tofu into your desired shape and size. You can cut it into slabs, cubes, triangles, or tear it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3: Marinate the Tofu

Place the tofu in a large bowl or ziplock bag and add olive oil, cornstarch, and salt. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Seal the bag and gently shake it to coat the tofu evenly.

Step 4: Bake the Tofu

Preheat your oven to around 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the tofu on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 20 minutes until golden.

Step 5: Add BBQ Sauce

Remove the tofu from the oven and drizzle or brush on your favourite BBQ sauce. Stir or toss the tofu to coat it evenly in the sauce.

Step 6: Finish Baking

Return the tofu to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until well browned.

Step 7: Serve

Your BBQ tofu is now ready to serve! You can enjoy it as-is or add more BBQ sauce on top. It goes well with a variety of sides, such as mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or in a sandwich or burger.

Storage

Leftover baked tofu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It is best enjoyed fresh, as the coating may lose its crispness over time.

How to pan-fry tofu with BBQ sauce

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make pan-fried tofu with BBQ sauce:

• Firm or extra-firm tofu
• BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Olive oil or another vegetable oil
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Soy sauce
• Chili sauce or chili garlic sauce

Step 1: Press the Tofu

Pressing the tofu removes excess water and gives it a firmer texture. While this step is not mandatory, it is recommended for the best results. You can use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and place a heavy object like a skillet on top for 30 minutes to an hour.

Step 2: Cut the Tofu

Cut the tofu into your desired shape and size. You can cut it into slabs, cubes, triangles, or tear it into bite-sized pieces. Just make sure the tofu is at least 1/2-inch thick to prevent it from breaking during cooking.

Step 3: Season the Tofu

In a bowl, toss the tofu with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Ensure that each piece of tofu is evenly coated with the seasoning.

Step 4: Pan-Fry the Tofu

Heat some oil in a non-stick pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Place the tofu in the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Remove the pan from the heat briefly between flips to reduce spitting.

Step 5: Add the BBQ Sauce

In a separate bowl, mix together BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and chili sauce. Remove the pan from the heat again, drizzle the sauce over the tofu, and return the pan to low heat. Cook for an additional 4 minutes, turning the tofu occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Step 6: Serve

Your pan-fried tofu with BBQ sauce is now ready to be served! You can enjoy it as-is or add more BBQ sauce for extra flavour. It goes well with grilled vegetables, coleslaw, rice, quinoa, or sandwiches.

How to tear tofu for more crispy edges

Tearing tofu instead of cutting it can give you more crispy edges for your BBQ tofu dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to tear tofu for more crispy edges:

Step 1: Press the Tofu

The first step is to press the tofu to remove excess water. This can be done using a tofu press or by wrapping the tofu in a clean kitchen towel and placing a cutting board with heavy cans or a cast-iron skillet on top. Leave it for at least 20 minutes or even overnight if you're planning ahead. Pressing the tofu will give it a firmer texture and make it less likely to fall apart when cooking.

Step 2: Prepare the Tofu

After pressing, you can prepare the tofu by slicing it into slabs, triangles, or cubes. For grilling, it is recommended to cut the tofu into steaks at least 1/2 inch thick to prevent breakage. You can also tear the tofu into irregular chunks, as these craggy bits will hold more sauce than flat surfaces.

Step 3: Season the Tofu

Before tearing the tofu, you can season it with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. Rub the seasonings into the tofu to ensure an even coating. You can also add a light coating of cornstarch, potato starch, tapioca starch, or arrowroot to absorb more moisture and create a distinct coating.

Step 4: Tear the Tofu

Now it's time to tear the tofu! Use your hands to tear the tofu into irregular chunks or pieces. The torn edges will create more crispy edges when cooked. You can also cut the tofu into its final shape after frying if you prefer, but this will result in fewer crispy edges.

Step 5: Cook the Tofu

Finally, cook your tofu using your preferred method, such as grilling, baking, or pan-frying. For grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook the tofu for 2-3 minutes on each side. For baking, spread the tofu on a baking sheet and bake at 400-450°F for 20-30 minutes, tossing halfway through. For pan-frying, use a nonstick skillet and coat the bottom with a few tablespoons of neutral cooking oil. Cook the tofu over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side until golden brown.

By following these steps and tearing your tofu, you'll end up with delicious, crispy BBQ tofu with a higher number of crispy edges!

How to press tofu for grilling

Pressing tofu is an important step in the process of grilling tofu. It helps to remove excess water from the tofu, which makes it less likely to fall apart on the grill. There are a few different ways to press tofu for grilling.

One way to press tofu is to use a tofu press. This is a simple and efficient method that helps to remove the liquid from the tofu and gives it a firmer texture. If you don't have a tofu press, you can also use a cast-iron skillet. To do this, wrap the tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and place it on a cutting board. Then, place a heavy cast-iron skillet on top and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This method may take a bit longer than using a tofu press, but it will still get the job done.

Another option for pressing tofu is to wrap the tofu in a dish towel and place it on a plate. Then, place a wooden cutting board on top and put something heavy on top of the cutting board, such as a pot of water or books. This will help to squeeze the water out of the tofu and into the towel.

Once the tofu has been pressed, it can be sliced and seasoned before being placed on the grill. It's important to use extra-firm tofu when grilling, as other types of tofu may be too soft and watery. The tofu should be grilled on a preheated grill or grill pan that has been brushed or sprayed with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the tofu for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the tofu releases easily from the grill.

Frequently asked questions