Smoky BLT Tofu Sandwich Recipe (2024)

An simple marinade is all it takes to infuse tofu with the flavors of smoky maple and bacon. Combine it with lettuce, tomato, and creamy avocado for a winning BLT tofu sandwich recipe you’re going to love!

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Nothing hits the spot quite like a BLT sandwich for an easy meal! It’s simplicity at its best. This vegan BLT sandwich replaces the bacon with marinated tofu that mimics the flavor of bacon.

Tofu isn’t bacon and will not crisp up exactly like bacon but it does have a great flavor and in my opinion makes a great stand in for the bacon in this vegan BLT.

If you’re looking for more vegan sandwiches, try this roasted eggplant sandwich and this family favorite vegan sloppy joe! Serve it up with hand-cut fries or crispy onion rings for a complete meal!

Craving more delicious tofu recipes? Try this ground beef tofu or crispy tofu recipe.

🛒 Ingredients You Need

BLT = Bacon (with tofu of course) + Lettuce + Tomato!! Plus I like to add in some avocado for some creaminess and my favorite whole grain bread. To make the marinade for the tofu you need:

• Firm or extra-firm tofu: Either will work. The firm tends to absorb more marinade but the extra firm holds its shape together better especially since it’s cut so thin. My preference is the extra firm.
• Avocado: Make sure it’s perfectly soft and ready to cut so it adds some creaminess and moisture to the Tofu BLT.
• Maple syrup: Adds a bit of sweetness to balance out the salty flavors of the soy sauce and miso as well as adding to hints of maple to the tofu bacon.
• Soy sauce: Infused the tofu with umami flavors.
• Liquid smoke: To give the tofu bacon a smokier flavor. You can leave it out if you want and simply add more smoked paprika.
• White miso: Intensifies the umami flavors in the tofu.
• Spices: This recipe uses smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to flavor the tofu.
• Bread: My favorite is a multigrain bread with lots of seeds but you can also use sliced baguette rolls, sourdough bread, brown bread, or any other type of sandwich bread or roll you prefer.

Substitutions and Variations

• Tofu: It’s my favorite vegan meat alternative to use for sandwiches but you can use another plant-based protein such as tempeh or seitan. Or you can swap the meat for eggplant bacon instead!
• Cheese: Vegan or not! You can also add a slice of your favorite cheese to your tofu sandwich.
• Wrap it up! Swap the sandwich bread for a wrap instead.
• Gluten-free: This tofu sandwich is so easy to make gluten-free. Simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos and choose gluten-free bread.
• Swap the avocado. For a punch of flavor use homemade guacamole instead.

🔪 How to Make a Tofu Sandwich

This recipe goes together fairly quickly in just a few steps. Here’s what you need to do!

1. Press the block of tofu for 20 minutes before cutting it. You can use a tofu press or a heavy object you have in the kitchen.

2. Slice the pressed tofu into thin even slices. Aim for ⅛ inch – ¼ inch slices.

PRO TIP: Press the tofu overnight or during the day while you’re at work in the refrigerator. This will save a bit of prep time for the meal. If you press it overnight, you can slice it up and let it marinade throughout the day so it’s ready by dinnertime to cook.

3. Mix together the miso, soy sauce, maple syrup, and spices in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over the top of the sliced tofu. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes turning it at least once.

4. Place the marinated tofu pieces on a baking sheet sprayed with oil. Brush the tops with the remaining marinade. Place into a 400° F oven to cook for 20-30 minutes.

5. Turn the tofu over halfway through cooking time. Brush more marinade over the tops again. Place back in the oven and cook until tofu reaches desired crispness.

6. Assemble the sliced tomato, leafy greens, and mashed avocado to build your sandwich.

How to Meal Prep and Storage Tips

To prep ahead, prepare the tofu and store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to three days.

You can prep the lettuce, slice the tomatoes, and mash the avocado in advance as well. I suggest squeezing some lime on the avocado and storing everything in separate containers. These ingredients will last 2-3 days.

When you’re ready to reheat the tofu, place the cooked tofu on a baking sheet and heat up just long enough to warm it. If it seems kind of dry, sprinkle a bit of water over the top to keep it from cooking up extremely dry.

What to Serve with Vegan BLT

This easy tofu sandwich goes with a variety of different dishes to make the perfect lunch and a complete meal! Here are some ideas for inspiration.

• Add a sauce. Serve it up with vegan garlic aioli, vegan mayonnaise, guasacaca sauce, or a homemade barbecue sauce.
• Serve with a bowl of soup! It goes great with a simple tomato soup or cauliflower carrot soup.
• Take it on the go for lunch. It holds up great and travels well.
• Pair it with side salad. Try a southwestern pasta salad or solterito arequipeno.
• Add some crunchy quick pickles, pickled beets, or red cabbage sauerkraut!

💭 Expert Tips

Making tofu bacon and this vegan BLT recipe is fairly easy but here are some tips that have worked for me when making the recipe for myself.

• Make sure you cut the tofu into even slices. This helps it to cook more evenly in the oven.
• Don’t skip the pressing. This step makes the marinade more flavorful. Pushing out the excess water makes room for the delicious marinade.
• Don’t cut the tofu too thin. It falls apart more easily and also burns quickly. I have found that about ⅛ inch is perfect.
• Be sure to move the tofu around in the marinade so that it all gets covered. I like use a container with a lid so I can easily rotate the tofu while it’s marinating.
• The cooking time is slightly variable but should take between 20-30 minutes. The total time will depend on your oven, the thickness of your tofu, and the texture you prefer. The longer it cooks, the drier it gets making a crispier texture.

❓FAQs

More Vegan Sandwich Recipes

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