You've heard of Hasselback Potatoes. Well, what about Hasselback Tofu? BBQ style..
This simple idea turns a boring block of tofu into a tasty (super easy) flavorful (protein-rich) BBQ-tastic (crowd, husband and kid-approved) vegan centerpiece dish.
Sticky sweet and spicy BBQ sauce coats each fluffy fanned edge of thinly sliced tofu. This easy idea is one that every tofu lover should try!..
Make it a Meal. Sassy southern-inspired vegan meal menu for you...
Hasselback Tofu - slathered in spicy, sticky, sweet BBQ sauce..
Fizzy Ginger Blood Orangeade..
Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits (vegan)..
Cheezy Saffron Quinoa + Broccoli..
Side of creamy vegan cole slaw..
Dessert - maybe some caramel apple pie to get excited about fall .. (or peach pie if you are still in summer mode!)..
This recipe is SO easy. Yay to that. It is hassel-free. (ha.)
I whipped this up and kept it in my fridge for a few days - slicing off "fans" of tofu as I pleased to pile up for quick lunches, snacking, tofu sandwiches and over top salads. Once the tofu is cooked you can serve it warm or straight from the fridge - chilled! I loved both.
I was actually quite speedy making this dish since I was really testing the whole process. But you could really get into slathering the BBQ sauce in between each fan slice BEFORE you bake it. This will make for an even yummier end result.
..I kind of just poured it over top and stuck it in the oven. #LazyVersion (and it was still yummy!)
Tofu. I prefer organic, non-GMO, sprouted tofu. So Wildwood's firm long block of sprouted tofu was perfect for me. You could use any standard size of tofu - just make sure to use firm or extra firm so the block slices well.
BBQ Sauce. I used Annie's for my #LazyVersion. But if you have time, making your own sauce is super delicious. My Vegan BBQ Sauce recipe.
BBQ Hasselback Tofu
vegan, makes one block
1 block of firm or extra firm tofu / lightly pressed and patted dry
BBQ sauce of choice (enough to coat your tofu)
optional: nutritional yeast + cayenne + pepper + splash of veggie oil
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
1. Lightly press your tofu to get it as dry as possible.
2. On a flat surface, slice tofu into skinny "fans" - as thin as you can make them without mangling the block. Do not slice all the way to the bottom - just about ¾ of the way down through the tofu. You want to create a fan of tofu.
3. Place your fanned tofu in an oven safe serving dish.
4. Add some dry spices if you'd like. I added some nutritional yeast, black pepper, cayenne and a few pinches of salt.
5. Pour on the BBQ sauce. Coat it well. You can even spread the sauce in between the fanned slices if you'd like. For extra flavor: marinate this block overnight!
6. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes - broil on high for the last 5 minutes to get sticky-sweet edges. tip: if you add a splash of oil - or use a BBQ sauce with some oil the tofu will crisp up around the edges a bit more. Optional though.
7. Pull the tofu from the oven and let sit to cool a bit. You can either serve as is or rub the sauce between the fans and then serve.
Serve it: Stuff a few slabs of the BBQ tofu in between one of these biscuits - some cole slaw on top and YUM..
Fresh from the oven..
Kyra says
curious, how would you store leftover tofu? the same as meat? thanks!
Chris says
Even though the LA weather is still sweltering and I haven't had a desire to make a hot meal in a while this looked so great that I just had to make it tonight for dinner. Since I was out of BBQ sauce I used a spicy mole sauce instead and it was absolutely delicious and quick!!!
Thank you for this website, your vegan creations are delicious, lovely and inspiring!
Kathy Patalsky says
Yum biscuits would be a nice pairing! Glad u enjoyed!
Alien says
Made this for my husband yesterday with the biscuits. It was so delish!!!
Betty Morgan (chezbettay.com) says
So innovative, congratulations on the Hasselback Tofu! Thank you for the fabulous photos and creative ways to present simple vegan foods.
Roxanne says
Now this sounds yummy, I think yummy will be my food word for all your dishes!
Molly Wilkof says
This looks ridiculously good. I love anything simple that looks like a fancypants dish. I kind of want a batch perpetually in my fridge. Pulled BBQ Tofu sandwiches anyone? Just me? Perfect.
Stephanie_The_Recipe_Renovator says
What a fantastic idea! Will definitely try it as soon as it's cool enough to bake again.
VeganAud says
Interesting! I have actually made this tofu dish before and yes it was simple and so delicious.
Clémence Moulaert says
Oh my, but that looks INSANE. I was looking for comfort food... I think I've found the perfect recipe. Thanks!
Ksenija @ With An Open Mind says
Tofu as a center piece? Genious and so easy, if I would serve it up for me on christmas dinner or thanksgiving, nobody would believe that it took just two ingredients!
Heather Poire says
This is so much fun and super easy too! I love the idea of having this handy for a week of quick lunches!
Jessica Sapoznick says
Fabulous idea! I *love* hasselback potatoes, so this is very appealing to me. Looks like it makes great leftovers, and I'm all about quick lunches!
Kathy Patalsky says
Janae, yes, BBQ sauce seems to be the new hot sauce in variety! I also love Annies - they are clean, natural and delicious. Trustworthy ingredient list - some sauces have some sketchy add-ins.
Kathy Patalsky says
Oh neat! Can't wait to see what YOU hasselbacked! And this tofu thing is fun, would love to see your version of hasselbacked tofu too 😉
spabettie says
oh, I want those biscuits! and you need to see what I'm publishing tomorrow... I hasselbacked something too 😉 and I love that you did this - while we were eating our hasselbacks the other day, we made a list of "other things to hasselback" and tofu was on it! 🙂 this looks amazing, I cannot wait to do it.
Kathy Patalsky says
Ahahahahahaha. No Baywatch theme music here. 🙂 But this dish would look pretty good in a slow-mo video sequence.
Kathy Patalsky says
oh good, glad you like that! I have been trying to do full menu ideas a bit more in my posts.
Kathy Patalsky says
I think u answered your own question! 🙂 Curious, what is ur fave BBQ sauce? There are sooo many out now! I love trying new brands. (Hope your kids DO love it!!)
Janae @ Bring-Joy says
Too many barbecue sauces out there. I like Annie's N*aturals* smokey maple b*arbecue sauce, but I'm not picky!*
Janae @ Bring-Joy says
I don't know why this recipe makes me so happy. Maybe because I just bought a new jar of my fave barbecue sauce & just got some extra firm tofu on sale yesterday for .99! I'm stocked up, & now I have the perfect recipe to utilize. & I'm pretty sure my kids will love this.
Melise says
I really am greatfull of you putting together a couple recipes to make a complete meal. I often find myself wanting to make a recipe but unsure what to match with it as I have not been cooking for a long period of time. Thank you!!!!
Elpoo says
Yum! What a great looking spread. Of course I read that as Hasslehoff Tofu and wondered what that could possibly mean. That the recipe puts hair on your chest?