Easy BBQ Tofu Tacos
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Savor the summertime all year round with our easy Tofu Tacos, seasoned with spices and BBQ sauce.
Brimming with smoky, tangy flavors and nestled within a soft flour tortilla, these vegan taco delights promise an unforgettable feast with each bite!
Read on to get our tofu taco recipe – perfect for your next Taco Tuesday or for the next time you’re craving some Tex-Mex food.
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we recommend reading through the blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Tofu Tacos
Whether you are a plant-based eater or need an easy dinner recipe to try for Meatless Monday, these BBQ Tofu Tacos are a hearty and flavorful twist on the traditional Tex-Mex favorite.
This recipe begins with crumbled firm tofu, which lends itself beautifully to the savory marinade of olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and dried oregano.
Baked to perfection, the tofu is transformed into crispy, smoky nuggets that carry the BBQ sauce like a dream.
While the tofu is crisping up in the oven, you can whip up a zingy sour cream sauce* bursting with fresh parsley, scallions, and a touch of lemon juice.
*If serving vegan eaters, make sure to use vegan sour cream.
Try our Red Kidney Bean and Sweet Potato Tacos, Tangy Carolina Coleslaw Recipe with Apple Cider Vinegar, and Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup recipes for more vegan delights.
Delicious Tofu Tacos
Once the tofu is done, it’s time for the fun part – assembly.
Heaping spoonfuls of BBQ tofu are placed in a small tortilla with a dollop of the creamy sauce and homemade tomato salsa to create these culinary masterpieces,
(But of course, you can use any toppings of your choice.)
Serve the tacos with Cilantro Lime Rice and Watermelon & Cantaloupe Melon Pico de Gallo
Tofu recipes like Tofu Poke Bowl and these tacos are not just for the vegetarians and vegans in your life – the robust flavors and satisfying textures will win over even the most devoted meat-eaters!
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a summer dinner party, or a cozy dinner at home, these BBQ Tofu Tacos are a winner.
What Can I Serve With BBQ Tofu Tacos?
- Mexican Rice: An easy side dish that complements the tacos perfectly
- Grilled Corn Salad: Adds a touch of sweetness and freshness
- Mango Margarita: A fruity, refreshing drink that pairs well with the smoky BBQ flavors
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
This recipe’s ingredients and tools are conveniently linked to online retailers like Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Instacart, and Walmart.
Ingredients Needed For BBQ Tofu Tacos
- Fresh Produce – Parsley, Scallions (Green Onions/Spring Onions), Lemons
- Protein – Firm Tofu
- Chilled & Dairy – Vegan Sour Cream
- Pantry – Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper
- Smoked Paprika
- Ground Cumin
- Dried Oregano
- BBQ Sauce – use your favorite type/brand or Homemade BBQ Sauce.
- Small Tortillas – Use your favorite kind, whether that is soft flour tortillas or corn tortillas. You could even use lettuce wraps.
- Fresh Tomato Salsa – homemade, or buy from a store.
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Large Rimmed Baking Sheet or Baking/Casserole Dish
- Parchment Paper – also known as baking paper or greaseproof paper.
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
- Citrus Juicer
- Mixing Bowls
- Rubber/Silicone Spatula – or you could use a Wooden Spoon.
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post. The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Reasons Why You’ll Love BBQ Tofu Tacos
- Vegan-friendly without sacrificing flavor or texture.
- Easy to prepare with a big flavor payoff.
- Perfect for taco night, Mexican-themed dinner parties, or a weeknight meal.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the main dish, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Appetizer: Guacamole and Tortilla Chips
- Soup: Black Bean Soup
- Salad: Quinoa Salad with Avocado Green Goddess Dressing
- Side Dish: Cilantro Lime Rice
- Cocktail: Classic Margarita
- Dessert: Grilled Fruit and Pound Cake Skewers
How Do I Make BBQ Tofu Tacos?
The printable recipe card with the ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Number of Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Step 1 – Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C/Gas6. Line a baking dish (or large baking sheet) with a piece of parchment paper.
Step 2 – Season Tofu: Place the tofu crumbles onto the prepared baking dish. Add the olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano and toss to combine.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 3 – Cook Tofu: Place the seasoned tofu taco crumbles into the preheated oven, and bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and crispy.
Remove the tofu taco filling from the oven and mix in BBQ sauce. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
Step 4 – Make Sour Cream Sauce: Meanwhile, place the sour cream, parsley, scallions, and lemon juice into a small bowl.
Mix together to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5 – Assemble Tacos: Warm the tortillas in the oven or a skillet. Fill with BBQ tofu, sour cream sauce, and homemade salsa.
Garnish with extra parsley on top. Enjoy!
More Vegetarian Meals To Make
Recipe Tips
- Press your tofu well before crumbling to ensure maximum flavor absorption
- Feel free to customize the vegetarian tacos with your favorite toppings. Sliced avocado, shredded romaine lettuce, and sliced red onion would work great.
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Store leftover BBQ tofu in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days
- Reheat gently in a large nonstick skillet before serving
- Another way to use the leftover tofu taco meat is in a burrito bowl. Build your bowl using your favorite kind of rice, chopped veggies like red cabbage, bell pepper, and tomatoes, canned black beans and sweet corn kernels, and dressing such as avocado crema or tahini sauce.
- Freezing Instructions:
- These vegan tofu tacos are not suitable for freezing.
- With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart for Cooking
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable BBQ Tofu Tacos Recipe Card
The printable recipe card is below—please leave a star rating and quick review to share your experience with others!
BBQ Tofu Tacos
Ingredients
- 12 oz 350g firm tofu, crumbled
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
- 2 scallions thinly sliced
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 8 small tortillas
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C/Gas6. Line a baking dish with a piece of parchment paper.
- Place the crumbled tofu onto the prepared baking sheet. Add the olive, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned tofu into the preheated oven, and bake for 15-20 minutes until browned and crispy. Remove the tofu from the oven and mix in BBQ sauce. Return to oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place the sour cream, parsley, scallions, and lemon juice into a small bowl. Mix together to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Warm the tortillas in the oven or a skillet. Fill with BBQ tofu, sour cream sauce, and homemade salsa. Garnish with extra parsley on top. Enjoy!
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
More Vegetarian Recipes
- Crispy Baked Falafel Salad with Lemony Tahini Sauce
- BBQ Portobello Mushroom Burgers Recipe
- Tex-Mex Loaded Black Bean Dip Recipe – Perfect for Tortilla Chips
And here are 20+ Tasty Vegetarian Recipes to take a look at.
FAQ About Tofu
Here are some questions people often ask using tofu in recipes.
Click the question to read the answer. If you have one of your own, please comment on this post!
Tofu, or bean curd, is a versatile and protein-rich food made from soybeans. It is commonly used in vegetarian and vegan cooking as a meat substitute.
There are various types of tofu, including silken tofu (used for desserts and smoothies), firm tofu (which we used in our BBQ tofu tacos recipe), and extra-firm tofu (great for barbecuing on an outdoor grill or deep-frying)
Tofu can be made exciting by marinating it in flavorful ingredients like soy sauce, lime juice, and adobo sauce. Using spices such as chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder can also add a burst of taste.
Yes, tofu can become crispy when cooked properly. One of the best ways to achieve this is by pressing the tofu to remove excess water, patting it dry with paper towels, and then cooking it on medium-high heat until it develops a crispy outer texture.
Tofu can be consumed raw, but depending on the type of tofu, it might not be as palatable!
Smoked tofu is especially tasty in salads, and silken tofu is great in vegan desserts, like this Chocolate Mousse made with dark chocolate and maple syrup.
Tofu can become mushy if it hasn’t been properly pressed to remove excess water before cooking. Using a tofu press or wrapping the tofu in paper towels and placing something heavy on top can help remove the excess moisture.
Tofu might taste bland if it hasn’t been marinated or seasoned adequately. To enhance the taste, marinate it in sauces and/or spices before cooking.
It’s a good idea to rinse the tofu before using it to remove any excess brine. However, be gentle to avoid breaking the tofu. Check the packaging of the tofu you bought from the grocery store for specific instructions.
Yes, tofu can become overly dry and chewy if overcooked. Cook for the time specified in recipes or on the tofu packaging.
Tofu is an excellent source of plant-based protein—according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of firm tofu offers 21.8 grams of protein.
As well as being protein-rich, tofu offers a range of health benefits which include supporting heart health by being low in saturated fat, providing calcium and magnesium for strong bones, aiding weight management due to its low-calorie protein content, promoting digestion with dietary fiber, potentially lowering the risk of certain cancers, helping regulate hormones through isoflavones, and supporting blood sugar management with its low glycemic index.
As with any food, moderation, and incorporation into a balanced diet are important for optimal results.
Cooking tofu in an air fryer is a great way to achieve crispy tofu. Coat extra firm tofu cubes with a little bit of oil and your preferred spices before air frying at around 400°F/200°C for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally.