BBQ Pulled Tofu

USA

Vegetarian Pulled Pork Dupe

SUBMITTED BY

Zee

Zee showed me their weeknight tofu staple; all the delicious flavors of barbecue with a quarter of the time and effort!

USA BBQ Pulled Tofu is a delicious plant-based twist on the classic Southern BBQ pulled pork. Made with extra firm tofu, this savory dish transforms humble tofu into a flavorful, satisfying pulled pork dupe. The tofu is pressed to remove excess moisture, crumbled into hearty shreds, and coated in a smoky dry rub—either homemade with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and a touch of brown sugar, or store-bought for convenience, depending on your preference. After baking or pan-frying to achieve a chewy texture, the tofu is generously smothered in rich, tangy BBQ sauce for that authentic barbecue taste.

This USA BBQ Pulled Tofu is perfect for sandwiches, sliders, wraps, or served alongside classic BBQ sides like coleslaw, cornbread, and baked beans. The combination of the dry rub and BBQ sauce delivers layers of flavor—smoky, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy—making it a crowd-pleaser for vegans, vegetarians, and meat-eaters alike. It’s a versatile, protein-packed dish ideal for summer cookouts, backyard gatherings, or weeknight dinners.

Whether baked, or skillet-cooked, USA BBQ Pulled Tofu offers all the comfort and nostalgia of traditional pulled pork with a lighter, plant-based twist. It’s proof that classic American BBQ flavors can shine in a meat-free, sustainable way without sacrificing taste or texture.

BBQ Pulled Tofu

Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 1 glug oil
  • 1 tsp your favorite barbecue dry rub we used McCormick bourbon brown sugar
  • ¼-½ cup your favorite barbecue sauce
  • burger buns

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Drain your tofu block, rinse with water, pat dry, then grate using a box grater.
  • Gently mix tofu shreds with dry rub and oil in a bowl.
  • Arrange tofu on the baking pan so it's touching but slightly uneven. You want to end up with a mix of crispy bits and soft, chewy bits.
  • Bake for 30ish minutes, until it's getting crispy at the edges but it's overall still tender.
  • Remove from oven and mix with your favorite barbecue sauce, enough to coat.
  • Optional: If you prefer a less sauce-y barbecue, return the tofu to the oven and let the barbecue sauce caramelize on the surface of the tofu. Use in a sandwich like you would pulled pork.
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Region: North America

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About Beryl

I have been in the film and media industry for the past 12 years and have worked for companies including Great Big Story, ABC, CNN, Martha Stewart, News Corporation, Harper Collins and Fast Company.