• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
    • About Sam
    • FAQ's about veganism
    • Press
    • Contact
      • Reader Inquiries
      • Business Inquiries
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Index
    • Video
  • Start Here

It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
  • Start Here
    • Tips to Use This Site
    • Free Masterclass
    • Press
    • Contact me
    • FAQ About Veganism
  • Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Cookbooks
    • Recipes
    • Start Here
      • Tips to Use This Site
      • Free Masterclass
      • Press
      • Contact me
      • FAQ About Veganism
  • Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    May 27, 2020 122 Comments

    Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu (shredded chicken)

    8.8K shares
    ↓ Jump to Recipe

    I know I've been posting a lot of tofu recipes recently, but I just can't help it. I love the stuff! The textures and flavours you can make with tofu are endlessly delicious, and this recipe for Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu is no exception. The tofu is shredded with a cheese grater and then baked in spices. This technique makes the most amazing tender and chewy bite. It's super satiating and full of BBQ deliciousness. A new fave in my house for sure!

    Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu! (Vegan shredded chicken). Just 8 ingredients and super easy to make. Use it any way you like- pile it bun for a pulled tofu sandwich, layer in a taco or in a burrito, use it for lettuce wraps, top on a baked potato, scatter over nachos. Make-ahead and meal-prep friendly. Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipes #tofu

    Just 8 ingredients and super easy to make. It also stores well in the fridge for 3 - 4 days so it's great for meal prepping too.

    Once you have your shredded tofu you can layer it on a bun for a pulled tofu sandwich, pile it on a taco or in a burrito, use it for scrumptious lettuce wraps, top on a baked potato, scatter over nachos, or enjoy it any way you like! (I'm also a big fan of munching on it straight from the pan). 😉

    Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu! (Vegan shredded chicken). Just 8 ingredients and super easy to make. Use it any way you like- pile it bun for a pulled tofu sandwich, layer in a taco or in a burrito, use it for lettuce wraps, top on a baked potato, scatter over nachos. Make-ahead and meal-prep friendly. Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipes #tofu

    I came across the idea shredding tofu with a cheese grater from the blog Up Beet Kitchen, and I combined that technique with my method for making tofu crumbles and tah dah! Vegan shredded chicken. You just gotta love the amazing powers of tofu!! (Probably the most vegan statement ever said). Haha!

    To make Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu:

    Use a cheese grater to make shredded tofu chicken!

    There is no need to press the tofu as it will dry out in the oven. Simply drain off the excess water and pat dry. Use the large side of a cheese grater to grate the block of tofu into shreds. Set aside.

    Toss the tofu shreds with seasonings

    Mix the oil, soy sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add the shredded tofu, and use a spatula to gently toss to evenly coat the tofu in the seasonings.

    Spread over a baking tray and bake

    Spread the tofu evenly over the prepared pan. Bake for 28 - 33 minutes, stirring the tofu halfway through, until the tofu is browned. For chewier shreds you will want to bake them a little longer, or for more tender shreds bake them a little less.

    The shredded tofu will get browned.

    Remove the tofu from the oven. Heat the BBQ sauce and water in a pan, and then stir in the baked tofu. The tofu will absorb some of the liquid and it will soften to tofu slightly making the most perfectly meaty texture.

    Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu! (Vegan shredded chicken). Just 8 ingredients and super easy to make. Use it any way you like- pile it bun for a pulled tofu sandwich, layer in a taco or in a burrito, use it for lettuce wraps, top on a baked potato, scatter over nachos. Make-ahead and meal-prep friendly. Gluten-free and oil-free options. #itdoesnttastelikechicken #veganrecipes #tofu

    Serve hot as a sandwich, in tacos, on nachos, in lettuce wraps, on a baked potato, any way you like! Or allow to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3 - 4 days.

    Bon appetegan!

    Sam Turnbull.

    Print Recipe
    4.97 from 92 votes

    Vegan BBQ Shredded Tofu

    Just 8 ingredients and super easy to make. Use it any way you like- pile it bun for a pulled tofu sandwich, layer in a taco or in a burrito, use it for lettuce wraps, top on a baked potato, scatter over nachos. Make-ahead and meal-prep friendly. Gluten-free and oil-free options.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time33 minutes mins
    Total Time43 minutes mins
    Course : Main Course
    Cuisine : American
    Servings: 4
    Author: Sam Turnbull • It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken

    Ingredients

    • 1 350g block extra-firm tofu,, drained and shredded (see step 2)
    • 1 tablespoon light oil, such as canola or vegetable
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, gluten-free if preferred
    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ cup vegan-friendly BBQ sauce
    • ¼ cup water
    US Customary - Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350F (180C). Line with parchment paper or lightly grease a large baking sheet.
    • There is no need to press the tofu as it will dry out in the oven. Simply drain off the excess water and pat dry. Use the large side of a cheese grater to grate the block of tofu into shreds. Set aside.
    • Mix the oil, soy sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Add the shredded tofu, and use a spatula to gently toss to evenly coat the tofu in the seasonings.
    • Spread the tofu evenly over the prepared pan. Bake for 28 – 33 minutes, stirring the tofu halfway through, until the tofu is browned. For chewier shreds you will want to bake them a little longer, or for more tender shreds bake them a little less.
    • Heat the BBQ sauce and water in a pan, and then stir in the baked tofu. The tofu will absorb some of the liquid and it will soften to tofu slightly making the most perfectly meaty texture. Serve hot as a sandwich, in tacos, on nachos, in lettuce wraps, on a baked potato, any way you like! Or allow to cool completely before storing in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3 – 4 days.

    Notes

    Oil-free option: sub the oil for vegetable broth, aquafaba, or water.
    BBQ sauce: feel free to substitute BBQ sauce for any other kind of sauce.
    Tofu: extra-firm tofu is essential for this recipe. I tried other firmness, but even firm tofu was too soft to grate succesfully. So make sure you get extra-firm. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1(recipe makes 4 servings) | Calories: 117kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 508mg | Potassium: 205mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 460IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #itdoesnttastelikechicken
    « Crispy Sesame Crusted Tofu
    Vegan Cashew Ranch Dressing »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim Whelan says

      September 24, 2023 at 12:33 pm

      5 stars
      I make this all the time. I also love the chili recipe with tofu. Thank You for the recipes.

      Reply
    2. Deb says

      July 26, 2023 at 8:40 pm

      5 stars
      Great idea! Thank you

      Reply
    3. AJ says

      July 10, 2023 at 10:04 am

      Some of your nutritional info is incorrect. 1 Tablespoon of oil has 14 gr fat. Tofu is also a fairly high fat. The shredded tofu bbq at 4 servings per recipe is much higher than 5 grams per serving. It does look wonderful tho and I plan to try it!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sam Turnbull

    Hi Friends!

    I'm Sam. Bestselling cookbook author and full-time vegan recipe creator! I LOVE vegan food, but it didn't start that way. As someone who comes from a family of hunters, butchers, and chefs I'm the last person I thought would go vegan. Here's My Story →

    Join over 500,000 followers

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Amazon.com • Amazon.ca • Barnes & Nobel • Indigo • Kobo

    Amazon.com • Amazon.ca • Barnes & Nobel • Indigo • Kobo

    Footer

    • Amazon
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    COPYRIGHT

    I love when you share! All of the images and text on this site is the property of It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken. Feel free to share photos and quotes with a link back to my original post. Do not share entire recipes, large bodies of text, or edit my photos in anyway without first obtaining permission from me. Social media shares are always welcome. Thank you!


    AFFILIATE LINK DISCLOSURE

    On this site, I sometimes use affiliate links. This means that if you were to make a purchase through one of these links, It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken would receive a small cut, at no cost to you.

    Privacy Policy | Contact | About | Sponsor Newsletter

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 - IT DOESN'T TASTE LIKE CHICKEN