Sweet and Spicy Virginia BBQ Tofu on the Arteflame

Introduction

This Sweet and Spicy BBQ Virginia Tofu is a celebration of smoky, tangy, and bold Southern-style flavors. Grilled directly on the Arteflame Grill, the tofu gets beautifully caramelized and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside. We're skipping the oven and pans — just pure, clean, high-heat grilling the Arteflame way for restaurant-quality results at home.

Ingredients

• 1 block (14 oz) extra firm tofu, pressed and sliced into ½" thick slabs
• 1 cup Virginia-style BBQ sauce (mustard-based with a spicy kick)
• 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter (for grilling)
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional for added caramelization)
• Fresh herbs or green onions for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Prepare three paper napkins and pour vegetable oil over them.
2. Place the oil-soaked napkins in the center of the Arteflame grill.
3. Stack firewood over the napkins.
4. Light the napkins and let the wood burn for about 20 minutes until hot coals form.
5. You're now ready to start cooking on both the center grate and the flat cooktop griddle!

Step 2: Marinate the Tofu

1. Press the tofu for at least 30 minutes to remove excess water.
2. Slice tofu into ½" thick slabs.
3. In a shallow dish, coat tofu evenly with Virginia-style BBQ sauce.
4. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1 hour.

Step 3: Sear on the Center Grate

1. Brush the tofu with melted butter on both sides.
2. Grill the marinated tofu slabs on the center grate of the Arteflame at 1,000°F.
3. Sear for 1–1.5 minutes per side until grill marks and light charring form.

Step 4: Finish on the Flat Cooktop

1. Move the seared tofu slabs onto the flat top cooktop to finish cooking through.
2. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt, black pepper, and brown sugar for extra caramelization.
3. Cook each side 3–5 minutes or until tofu is hot and caramelized to your taste.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

1. Remove tofu from grill when internal temperature is about 145°F (final target: 160°F).
2. Let it rest for 5 minutes — the carryover heat will bring it to perfect doneness.
3. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs or green onions.
4. Serve while hot.

Tips

• Press tofu well — drier tofu grills better and absorbs more marinade.
• Use melted butter for grilling instead of oil for richer flavor and better searing.
• Adjust the tofu's position on the flat cooktop for your desired heat level — closer to the center is hotter.
• Use tongs to gently rotate tofu and avoid tearing.
• Always remove tofu ~15°F before your desired finish temperature for best texture.

Variations

1. Maple Bourbon Tofu: Swap BBQ sauce for a maple-bourbon glaze with a dash of smoked paprika.
2. Asian-Inspired Tofu: Use Korean gochujang BBQ sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
3. Caribbean Jerk Tofu: Replace Virginia BBQ sauce with jerk marinade and add grilled pineapple on the side.
4. Sweet Heat Peach Tofu: Blend peach preserves with hot sauce and use as a glaze during the last minutes of grilling.
5. Smoky Chipotle Tofu: Use a smoky chipotle-tomato BBQ sauce for a bold southwestern twist.

Best pairings

• Grilled corn on the cob with herb butter (done right on the flat cooktop)
• Grilled sourdough toast with garlic butter
• Skillet-style roasted sweet potatoes with cinnamon and cumin
• Pickled red cabbage slaw
• Sweet tea or chilled Virginia apple cider

Conclusion

Switch things up and wow your guests with this plant-powered version of Virginia BBQ. Thanks to the unique Arteflame grilling technique, your tofu gets the crave-worthy sear and smoky depth of flavor that’s usually reserved for meat. With no pots or pans to clean, you’ll be savoring all the flavor and none of the fuss.