Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
Craving a hearty, better-than-takeout sandwich? My Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw is here to satisfy. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to crispy tofu that stays together. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Cozy Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Perfect Glaze and Vegan Burrito Bowl Recipe – Flavorful Meal Prep Delight.
Why This Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy tofu that stays together
- Tangy, creamy slaw that complements the BBQ flavor
- Ready in just 20 minutes
- Better than takeout, healthier, and more affordable
What You'll Need for Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Extra-firm tofu
- BBQ sauce
- Vegan mayo
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Burger buns
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Maple syrup
- Optional: Pickles
- Optional: Red onion
- Optional: Vegan cheese slice
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Tofu: Pressing tofu is crucial for crispiness.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Tofu press — Removes excess water for crispy tofu → See on Amazon
- High-quality BBQ sauce — Makes a big difference in flavor → See on Amazon
How to Make Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
- Press tofu: Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Place a heavy object on top and let it sit for 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- Prepare slaw: Mix cabbage, carrot, vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Season tofu: Cut tofu into 1/2-inch slices. Mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Coat tofu slices in the seasoning mix.
- Cook tofu: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add tofu slices and cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last minute of cooking.
- Assemble sandwiches: Toast burger buns if desired. Spread a thin layer of vegan mayo on both halves. Place a few tofu slices on the bottom half, top with slaw, and add any optional toppings. Place the top bun on the sandwich.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
- Common mistake and fix: Don't skip pressing the tofu. It's crucial for crispiness and prevents the sandwich from being soggy.
- Tip: For extra crispy tofu, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the seasoning mix before coating the tofu slices.
- Tip: Make the slaw ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Storing & Reheating Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover sandwiches in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: The slaw can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: If you're not a fan of tofu, you can use tempeh or even chicken as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: The slaw can be made ahead of time, but don't assemble the sandwiches until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your tofu is falling apart, you may not have pressed it long enough. Try again and press for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality non-stick pan — Even cooking and easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Extra-firm tofu
- BBQ sauce
- Vegan mayo
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Burger buns
Seasonings
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Maple syrup
Optional Toppings
- Pickles
- Red onion
- Vegan cheese slice
Instructions
- Press tofu: Wrap tofu in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Place a heavy object on top and let it sit for 15 minutes to remove excess water.
- Prepare slaw: Mix cabbage, carrot, vegan mayo, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Season tofu: Cut tofu into 1/2-inch slices. Mix together smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Coat tofu slices in the seasoning mix.
- Cook tofu: Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add tofu slices and cook until crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last minute of cooking.
- Assemble sandwiches: Toast burger buns if desired. Spread a thin layer of vegan mayo on both halves. Place a few tofu slices on the bottom half, top with slaw, and add any optional toppings. Place the top bun on the sandwich.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- Best substitution: If you're not a fan of tofu, you can use tempeh or even chicken as a substitute.
- Make-ahead: The slaw can be made ahead of time, but don't assemble the sandwiches until ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If your tofu is falling apart, you may not have pressed it long enough. Try again and press for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover sandwiches in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Make ahead: The slaw can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 2.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love FAQs
Yes, the slaw can be made up to 3 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
You may not have pressed the tofu long enough. Try again and press for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Yes, you can use chicken as a substitute. Follow the same cooking instructions, but be sure to cook the chicken thoroughly.
Store leftover sandwiches in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Yes, you can cook the tofu in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Irresistible BBQ Tofu Sandwich with Slaw You’ll Love and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
