Restaurants/Big City Bread Cafe/Bbq Tofu Recipe

Bbq Tofu Recipe

Make Bbq Tofu Recipe in just 1h 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

Inspired by Big City Bread Cafe
Time1h 10m
Serves3
Jump to Recipe
Last updated Oct 21, 2026

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Ingredients

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Marinated Tofu

BBQ Sauce & Marinade

For Grilling / Finishing

Method

Marinated Tofu

  1. 1

    Press and slice the tofu

    Remove the tofu from its package and drain. Wrap the block in a clean towel or paper towels and place a heavy, even weight (cast-iron skillet, books) on top for 20–30 minutes to press out excess water. After pressing, slice the tofu into 6–8 slabs about 1/2-inch thick (or into 1/2-inch cubes if you prefer kebabs).

  2. 2

    Season the tofu

    Lightly season both sides of the sliced tofu with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder and onion powder. Gently pat so the dry seasonings adhere.

BBQ Sauce & Marinade

  1. 3

    Make the marinade

    In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the BBQ sauce, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (or brown sugar), olive oil and sriracha until smooth and combined.

  2. 4

    Marinate the tofu

    Place the seasoned tofu slabs in the dish or a zipper bag in a single layer. Pour about half of the marinade over the tofu, reserving the other half for basting and finishing. Turn the tofu to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1–2 hours. If short on time, let sit for 15–20 minutes.

For Grilling / Finishing

  1. 5

    Preheat and oil the grill or pan

    Preheat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). If using a grill pan or skillet, heat it over medium-high heat. Brush the grates or pan with the neutral oil to prevent sticking.

  2. 6

    Grill or pan-sear the tofu

    Remove tofu from marinade, letting excess drip off. Reserve marinade for basting and finishing. Place tofu on the hot grill or pan. Cook for 4–6 minutes per side until grill marks form and the exterior is slightly caramelized. During the last 2–3 minutes of cooking each side, brush with reserved marinade or extra BBQ sauce to build up a sticky glaze. Flip carefully to avoid breaking the slabs.

  3. 7

    Finish and serve

    Transfer the cooked tofu to a platter. Spoon or brush any remaining warmed BBQ sauce over the slabs. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions and serve with lemon wedges on the side for brightness. Serve hot on buns, salads, bowls, or alongside grilled vegetables.

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