I love barbecued tofu, but I have to admit that I don’t always take the time to make my own sauce for it. The bottled stuff is so quick and easy, though I have yet to find a brand that I really like. I may stop using bottled barbecue sauce completely, however, after concocting this zesty new recipe. It has every flavor I look for in a bbq sauce: sweet, tangy, smoky, and spicy. And because the sauce is ketchup-based, it doesn’t take hours to make.
I used Annie’s Natural ketchup, which contains less sugar that regular brands, and added enough chipotle peppers to normally set my family’s mouths ablaze. But somehow during the simmering, the heat mellows out. It was right on the limit of my daughter’s spice-tolerance, but she still managed to eat two servings.
If you are sensitive to spiciness, try starting with less of the chipotles–perhaps 2 teaspoons rather than tablespoons–and add more to your taste. Of course, if heat is your thing, feel free to add more. Also note that you can make the sauce in advance, making it easy enough to bake the tofu in less than an hour.
I’ve found that the easiest way to handle canned chipotles in adobo sauce is to pour the whole can into the blender and puree it. Then, I measure out what I need for the recipe and freeze the rest. Sometimes I use an ice cube try for freezing, but other times I just measure it out by the tablespoon into small snack-sized plastic bags. I put all the plastic bags into one large freezer bag which I label with the date.
Chipotles will last for months in the freezer, and having the portions pre-measured makes it easy to add smoky chipotle flavor to chilies, stews or other dishes.
I served the barbecued tofu over some whole-wheat couscous that I flavored sort of randomly with saffron, fresh herbs, and minced pimento pepper.
Chipotle Barbecued Tofu
Ingredients
- 28 ounces extra-firm tofu (2 packages)
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 4 cloves garlic clove , minced
- 1/2 cup organic ketchup see note
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (or other sugar or sugar substitute)
- 2 tablespoons chopped chipotle chiles in adobo
- 1 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed (optional)
Instructions
- Slice each block of tofu into 9 slices. Place them on a double layer of paper towels or a clean tea towel (non-fuzzy) and place another double layer over them. Press firmly with your hands to remove as much moisture as possible. Let them sit on the absorbent material while you make the sauce.
- Heat a saucepan and add the onion. Cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until onion begins to brown, at least 6 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add all remaining ingredients (except the tofu) and cook, stirring, over medium to low heat, for about 15-20 minutes, until thick and fragrant.
- Preheat oven to 425 F. Place a silicone baking mat on a cookie sheet or oil a long, rectangular baking dish. Brush one side of each slice of tofu with a thin layer of sauce and place it on the pan sauce-side down. Spread remaining sauce on the tops and sides of the tofu. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until tofu is firm and just beginning to brown at the corners. Serve hot.
Notes
Nutritional info is approximate.
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Laina
March 6, 2010 at 5:24 pmSusan, that BBQ looks so tasty. Can you use frozen tofu? I usually freeze mine because I don't want it to spoil before I get to use it.
SusanV
March 6, 2010 at 5:26 pmSure, Laina. If you like the texture of frozen tofu, you'll love it like this.
san diego screen printing
March 30, 2010 at 6:33 pmYum! I loved Tofu. Thanks for the recipe.
Best Regards,
san diego screen printing
derek o'neill
July 13, 2010 at 7:49 ammade this last weekend for a bbq and it was delicious, I had to tweak it as it’s impossible to find chipotles in adobe sauce here in Ireland but I had some dried chipotle’s and soaked them and added a tin of tomatoes.
everyone loved this including the death munchers who put it on their ribs.
Pamela
September 25, 2010 at 8:38 pmThis is a great way to cook tofu. My family and I are always trying out new ways. Going to have to give this one a shot!
Anke
October 18, 2010 at 8:59 pmabsolutely delicious
caterina
November 26, 2010 at 7:44 amCan I use chipotle chili powder instead of chipotle chiles in adobo ( which I cannot find anywhere in Italy)? If so, how much of it should I use?
SusanV
November 26, 2010 at 10:03 amJust start with a small amount and taste the sauce. Keep adding until it is the right spiciness for you. It will be a little less spicy after cooking, so don’t panic if you add a little too much.
Keely
March 20, 2011 at 9:40 pmMmmm this was so good! I was disappointed that we only had firm tofu to use, but the BBQ sauce was really great. I live in Texas and I’ve had plenty of them; I should know! 🙂 The amount of chipotle was perfect for me, my husband could have used a bit more, and my daughter a bit less. I’d love to experiment with the sauce on some tempeh.
Get Skinny, Go Vegan.
March 21, 2011 at 9:31 amThe colors in this are amazing!
Michelle
May 15, 2011 at 4:53 pmI am one week into a vegan diet and decided to make this recipe for dinner tonight. I can not tell you about the finished product but I LOVE the sauce! I need to stop eating it so I can put it on the tofu 🙂 I only did 1 tbsp chipotle sauce, but for my daughter it will be perfect and it is still spicy enough for my dh and I.
Thanks for all the great recipes! I look forward to trying more!
Marian Hamilton
September 28, 2011 at 1:48 pmHi, Susan! 🙂
LOVE the idea about pureeing the chipotles in adobo sauce – super idea!! Can’t wait to try this one too….. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Marianne
February 2, 2012 at 8:15 amWe tried your chipotle tofu recipe and it was delicious, I just added peppers, mushrooms and some spices to the couscous. Love your site we are newly vegan only 5 months and I have used several of your recipes, thanks so much.
caren
June 24, 2014 at 12:15 amAs a vegan with a carnivore family, I am thrilled with your emails. I don’t cook with any oils and they may question my methods, for the most part they are embracing my vegan ways. (when in Rome) I look forward to your posts. The problem is The meals are delish but with food issues i cook but don’t eat. thanks for no oil. I hate oil..keep concocting great ideas.
Michelle
September 27, 2016 at 1:30 pmThanks for the recipe I will start to purchase low sugar ketchup
Rebecca
October 20, 2017 at 7:14 pmReally good. Hubbs loved it and so did I. Thanks very much for all you do.
Tara
December 21, 2019 at 12:19 pmThis is a great sauce! After cooking the sauce I put it in the blender to smooth it out. It came out great! Wonderful in tofu as described or on baked apples and a bit of rice as a side! It’s real versatile! Ya… my tastes run a little to one side of usual!!