I’m pretty sure I’m witnessing a miracle right now, it’s been around 115 degrees here for way too long and this morning I wake up to clouds and the smell of rain! It’s still probably 90 degrees out there, but that is 15 degrees less than what it was last weekend so I will happily take it!
Despite the frigid weather we are now having in the Southwest ( 🙂 ) I’m still all about the BBQ sides and entrees right now.
A few weeks ago I shared my new favorite way to make baked beans and ever since then I’ve been dreaming about what else I could put that delicious BBQ sauce on. I went to college in North Carolina and a few times a year we would do a huge outdoor picnic with pulled pork and all the delicious sides. And, for the vegetarians they always had an amazing BBQ tofu sandwich. I’ve since tried to re-create that sandwich using store-bought BBQ sauce and have had no luck.
But as I was eating those BBQ baked beans it hit me that that same sauce would be perfect for my BBQ tofu sandwiches. And sure enough, it tasted almost exactly like I remembered! I added some chickpeas in for a little extra protein and I must say that these BBQ Tofu & Chickpea Sandwiches are going to be on my menu all summer long!
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Tofu & Chickpea BBQ Sandwiches
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
Ingredients
- 1 (12 ounce) block extra firm tofu
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1(15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 6–8 buns, gluten free if necessary
- Coleslaw for topping, if desired (about 1/4 cup for each sandwich)
BBQ Sauce:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 small shallot, diced (about ¼ cup)
- 2 small cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon tamari
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Pat the tofu dry and cut block in half. Cut one half into small cubes and crumble the other half with you hands. Add tofu to the pan along with the spices. Cook tofu until golden brown, 7-10 minutes.
- Remove tofu from the pan and add 1 teaspoon olive oil, diced shallot and garlic. Cook until shallot is tender, about 3 minutes.
- Add the remaining BBQ sauce ingredients to the pan, stir until combined, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked tofu and the chickpeas back into the sauce, stir and cook until everything is heated through, 3-5 minutes.
- Spoon BBQ mixture onto bun and top with coleslaw, if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Sandwich, Gluten Free, Vegan
We’re trying more tofu and this recipe is delicious! Are there nutrition facts I’m missing somewhere?
Thanks!
I will try to get them posted soon!
I have never done a review on recipes before but felt I had to for this one! My family and I love this meal. I’ve made it pultiple times and it’s always so good. Really glad I found this recipe.
That is so nice to hear!! Thank you!
My first tofu recipe. Loved! Can’t wait for linch leftovers tomorrow. Will make this a regular. Even tasty without the bun, added pickles and red onions. Can’t wait to try more of your recipes. only 3 months into eating Vegan. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it!!
We love this recipe. Can you make it ahead and freeze it?
Thank you! Yes, it can! I made two batches for the freezer before a had my last baby and it worked great!
Thanks for sharing recipe! It’s delicious!
Thank you so much!!
Omg I have looked for ways to make a great tofu dish and none compare to this. I love tofu but my family was not a fan and because of this recipe they are open to eating tofu.
Yah!! That’s so great to hear, Caitlyn! I haven’t made this recipe in a while but now I’m craving it again 🙂
yum! These look amazing and so flavorful. Crowd-pleaser! 🙂
They look amazing!
Thank you!
You have made mine & my boyfriend’s night! SO GOOD! Had to leave out the tofu sadly as I recently found out I have a soy intolerance (not easy as a vegan) D:
Yah! I’m so glad you guys enjoyed these sandwiches, Heather!! They are one of my favorites too!
These look amazing! Can’t wait to try this one.
I love this recipe minus the tofu. 99% of all soy now is gmo. Gmo’s are extremely dangerous, even deadly.
They seem to have a lot of non-GMO tofu brands at the store lately so I always go for those ones. I agree GMOs are dangerous! Glad you like the recipe 🙂
Actually, where I live in the deep south, you have to hunt to find tofu that isn’t Non-GMO project verified. Non gmo is the only thing sold in WinnDixie, Target, Publix, and even Wal-Mart.
Same here, Regina!
haha frigid weather – that made me laugh!! I’m glad it’s slightly cooler by you!!
These sandwiches sound amazinggggg. That’s the one bummer about a lot of bbq places here – there’s not really options if you don’t want meat!! Or just a plate of sides 🙂
You know it is a good Southerner making the sandwich when they put the BBQ and the slaw on the sandwich! 🙂 This looks great Izzy! I have cut my meat consumption wayyyy down so this is right up my alley!
Girl, you made BBQ healthy – three cheers for you!! Definitely gotta try this one.