Tacos, my friends, are the universal language of happiness—and these BBQ Tofu Tacos with Pickled Cabbage? Total crowd-pleasers! 🌮 They’re smoky, tangy, crunchy, and creamy all in one bite. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or even a laid-back weekend taco fest. Plus, they’re packed with bold flavors and come together in just 20 minutes. Who doesn’t love that? Let’s get taco-ing!
Try my Smash Burger Tacos recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
→ Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes—because who has time for complicated?
→ Big on Flavor: Smoky tofu, tangy pickled cabbage, creamy avocado—it’s a flavor party! 🎉
→ Healthy-ish: Packed with protein, veggies, and all the good stuff (but still tastes like a treat).
→ Customizable: Add your favorite toppings or spice it up to your heart’s content.
→ Taco Night Upgrade: Perfect for a casual dinner or impressing your taco-loving friends. 🌮
→ Vegan-Friendly: It’s plant-based without skimping on the delicious factor.
What’s not to love, right?
Try my Breakfast Tacos recipe.
What You’ll Need To Make
What Makes These Tacos So Good?
→ Smoked Tofu: This is the star of the show! Smoked tofu brings that rich, smoky flavor we all love, and when it’s baked with spices, it gets perfectly crispy on the edges.
→ Pickled Cabbage: Tangy, crunchy, and so pretty with its bright pink hue! The quick pickle process transforms purple cabbage into a flavor-packed taco topper.
→ BBQ Sauce: A little BBQ sauce mixed with tomato paste takes the tofu to the next level. It’s sweet, smoky, and just the right amount of sticky.
→ Avocado: Creamy, dreamy smashed avocado is the perfect balance to the smoky and tangy flavors. Plus, who doesn’t love avocado? 🥑
→ Mini Tortillas: The soft, warm tortillas bring it all together. You can use corn or flour tortillas—whatever makes your taco heart happy.
These simple, wholesome ingredients come together to create a taco experience that’s bold, fresh, and downright delicious!
Try my Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Avocado-Mango Salsa recipe.
| Ingredients: Serves 4 |
|---|
| For the tofu: |
| – 10.5 oz (300g) firm smoked tofu |
| – 1 tsp smoked paprika |
| – 1/2 tsp ground cumin |
| – 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes |
| – 1 tsp cornstarch |
| – sea salt and black pepper |
| For the pickle: |
| – 1/2 onion, shredded |
| – 7.9 oz (225g) purple cabbage, shredded |
| – 1 lime, juiced |
| – handful of chopped cilantro |
| For the BBQ sauce: |
| – 3 tbsp BBQ sauce |
| – 1 tbsp tomato paste |
| For the tacos: |
| – 1 avocados, smashed |
| – 6 mini tortillas |
What You’ll Need To Do
Time required: 20 mins
BBQ Tofu Tacos with Pickled Cabbage: Fun, Fast, and Delicious!
1| Prep the tofu goodness: Start by preheating your oven to 390°F (200°C). While that’s heating up, press the tofu to get rid of any extra water, then grab a grater and coarsely grate it into a bowl. Toss it with smoked paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix it all up until the tofu is coated in those lovely spices! Spread it out on a baking sheet, drizzle with a tablespoon of olive oil, and pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes.
2| Pickle that cabbage: In a bowl, combine your shredded purple cabbage, onion, lime juice, and cilantro. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, then give it a good toss. Watch as the cabbage and onion turn a bright, happy pink! Set it aside—it’ll be ready to rock when you are.
3| Make the sauce magic: Grab a small bowl and mix the BBQ sauce, tomato paste, and a tablespoon of water. Once the tofu’s out of the oven, pour the sauce over it and give everything a good stir so the tofu is evenly coated in that smoky, tangy goodness.
4| Build those tacos!: Warm up your mini tortillas in a dry frying pan—just enough to get them soft and slightly toasty. Then layer on some smashed avocado, your saucy BBQ tofu, and a generous scoop of pickled cabbage. Squeeze over some extra lime juice for a fresh kick and sprinkle with cilantro for that final pop of flavor.
Now grab a taco, take a bite, and enjoy the perfect mix of smoky, tangy, and creamy flavors! 🌮
Glycemic Index: Low (34) Glycemic Load: Moderate (17)
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Recipe Swaps & Creative Tweaks
1| Tofu Swap: Not a fan of tofu? Swap it out for jackfruit or mushrooms for a different texture and flavor. Both soak up the BBQ sauce beautifully!
2| Tortilla Options: Use lettuce wraps or whole-grain tortillas if you want a lighter or gluten-free option.
3| Avocado Alternative: Don’t have avocado? Try a dollop of vegan sour cream or a drizzle of cashew crema for that creamy touch.
4| BBQ Sauce Upgrade: Want more spice? Mix your BBQ sauce with a little sriracha or chipotle for a smoky kick.
5| Cabbage Creativity: No purple cabbage? Regular green cabbage works just as well, or try shredded carrots for a sweet crunch.
6| Herb Twist: Not into cilantro? Fresh parsley or chives are great alternatives for a pop of green flavor.
These swaps and tweaks make it easy to customize the recipe to your taste or whatever you’ve got in the kitchen!
Try my BBQ Tofu Tacos recipe.
Useful Tips for Success
1| Press That Tofu! Removing excess water from the tofu helps it soak up all those smoky spices and bake to crispy perfection. Don’t skip this step!
2| Thinly Shred the Cabbage: The thinner the cabbage, the quicker it’ll pickle and the more flavorful it’ll be. A sharp knife or mandoline works wonders here.
3| Warm Those Tortillas: A quick dry-fry in a hot pan makes the tortillas soft, pliable, and just a little toasty—totally worth the extra minute!
4| Taste as You Go: Adjust the seasoning of the tofu, pickled cabbage, and even the BBQ sauce to match your flavor preferences. Cooking is all about making it your own!
5| Make It Ahead: You can pickle the cabbage and prepare the tofu in advance. Just reheat the tofu and assemble when you’re ready to eat.
6| Extra Lime Love: Keep some lime wedges on the side for an extra squeeze of citrus—it brightens up all the flavors!
7| Don’t Overload the Tortillas: As tempting as it is, less is more when it comes to stuffing tacos. Overloading makes them tricky to eat!
Try my Turkey Taco Meal Prep Bowls recipe.
These tips will help you nail the recipe every time and make your taco night even better. 🌮
Serving Suggestions
1| Side of Rice: Serve your tacos with a side of fluffy rice—cilantro lime rice or even cauliflower rice if you’re going low-carb. It’s the perfect base to soak up any extra sauce!
2| Guacamole: Can’t go wrong with guacamole on the side. It’s the perfect creamy companion to the smoky tofu and tangy pickled cabbage. 🥑
3| Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy, oven-baked sweet potato fries make a great crunchy side dish that pairs perfectly with these tacos.
4| Coleslaw: A fresh, creamy coleslaw is another awesome side to balance out the BBQ flavors. Keep it simple or add a little spice for some extra zing!
5| Grilled Veggies: Toss some veggies like peppers, onions, or zucchini on the grill for a smoky addition that complements the tacos.
6| Chips & Salsa: Keep it casual with a side of tortilla chips and fresh salsa—perfect for munching while you prep the tacos.
7| Lime Margaritas: If you’re feeling fancy, a lime margarita or a cold cerveza is the perfect drink to wash down these tacos. 🍹
These sides and drinks will turn your BBQ Tofu Tacos into a full-on taco feast!
Try my Steak Street Tacos recipe.
Storage Suggestions
1| Tofu Storage: If you have leftover tofu, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it in the oven or a skillet for that crispy texture.
2| Pickled Cabbage Storage: Store the pickled cabbage in a sealed jar or container in the fridge. It’ll keep for about 3-4 days and actually gets better with time as the flavors continue to develop!
3| Assemble Fresh: I recommend assembling the tacos fresh right before serving, as tortillas and avocado don’t store well once assembled. However, you can prep all the individual components ahead of time for a quicker assembly.
4| Tortilla Storage: Leftover tortillas can be stored in a sealed plastic bag or container at room temperature for 1-2 days. If you want them to last longer, pop them in the fridge. Just reheat them in a hot pan when you’re ready to serve.
5| Freezing Tofu: If you want to save some tofu for later, freeze it in an airtight bag for up to 2 months. Just defrost and reheat when you’re ready to use it. Keep in mind that freezing changes the texture slightly, making it even more “meaty” and perfect for tacos!
By storing each component separately, you can keep everything fresh and ready to enjoy for days!
Try my Easy Keto Taco Crisps recipe.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it—BBQ Tofu Tacos that are as fun to make as they are to eat! Whether you’re impressing friends or just treating yourself, these little flavor bombs never disappoint. So, grab a tortilla, load it up, and enjoy the smoky, tangy goodness. Oh, and don’t forget the extra lime squeeze—it’s the cherry on top, or should I say, the lime on taco? 😉 Happy taco munching!
Recipe Card
BBQ Tofu Tacos with Pickled Cabbage
Ready for tacos that pack a punch? 💥 My BBQ Tofu Tacos with Pickled Cabbage are smoky, zesty, and so satisfying. The best part? They’re done in just 20 minutes!
Ingredients
For the tofu:
For the pickle:
For the bbq sauce:
For the tacos:
Instructions
-
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). -
Step 2:
Press tofu to remove excess water then coarsely grate. Place into a bowl with spices, cornstarch, salt and pepper and stir. Spread evenly on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake for 10 minutes. -
Step 3:
To make the pickled cabbage, combine all ingredients in a bowl, season with salt & pepper and toss well until the cabbage and onion turn bright pink. Set aside. -
Step 4:
Place all the sauce ingredients into a small bowl, add 1 tablespoon of water and stir to combine. Once tofu is cooked, pour over the sauce and stir to coat evenly. -
Step 5:
Dry fry the tortillas, then top with smashed avocado, tofu and pickled cabbage. Squeeze over extra lime juice and garnish with cilantro.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 616kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 32g50%
- Total Carbohydrate 58g20%
- Protein 24g48%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
