There are many ways to make a vegan BLT sandwich, but my absolute favourite is the version with smoked tofu. Sliced thin and fried hot, it gets wonderfully crispy and is the perfect vegan bacon substitute, with a flavourful marinade of maple syrup, soy sauce, onion powder, garlic powder and smoked paprika, brushed on towards the end of frying. Very special is also the creamy miso mayo, which you can also whip together in just a minute.
What else do you need for the vegan BLT sandwich?
Bread: pretty much anything works, fresh rolls, ciabatta, pretzel baguette, vegan pretzel rolls, sourdough bread, delicious spelt bagels with hemp seeds or crispy toast.
Vegan mayonnaise: I used store-bought here, which is now available in most supermarkets. You can also make your own, I really like this mayo recipe from Vegan Heaven.
Smoked tofu is also available in most supermarkets.
Shiro miso can be found at health food stores or Asian supermarkets. I chose white miso for colour reasons, but you can also use genmai miso for the BLT sandwich, which has a slightly stronger flavour and darker colour.
Smoked paprika powder, also known as Pimentón de la Vera, makes the smoked tofu marinade especially aromatic. If you can’t find it, regular paprika works too, add a little liquid smoke if you want a more pronounced smoky flavour.
Smoked Tofu BLT Sandwich
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 150 g smoked tofu about 15 thin slices
- 1,5 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1,5 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slices bread
- 4 tablespoons vegan mayo
- 2 teaspoons shiro miso or genmai miso paste
- 2 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- First, gather all your ingredients and prepare them in the right amounts. That makes it so much easier and more fun and you're less likely to forget anything.
- Slice the smoked tofu into 3–5 mm thick pieces, the thinner, the better.
- Heat a little vegetable oil in a pan. Add the tofu slices side by side and fry over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix together maple syrup, soy sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder and garlic powder to make a marinade.
- Flip the tofu slices one by one. If some need more colour, move them to the centre of the pan. Fry for another 3–5 minutes until crispy on the other side. The slices are ready when you can lift them with tongs and they no longer wobble around.
- Meanwhile, slice the tomato.
- Stir together the mayo and miso.
- Brush the marinade onto the tofu slices, ideally using a pastry brush. Toss and transfer to a plate.
- Spread the miso mayo onto the bread and top with lettuce leaves, tomato slices, the fried tofu and a little more lettuce if you like. Season with salt and pepper, close the sandwich and serve.
Nutrition
FAQ:
Which tofu works best as a bacon substitute?
I prefer smoked tofu, but you can also use plain firm tofu. It won’t be quite as smoky, but still delicious. The firmer the better, you can press it in a tofu press* if needed. Silken tofu is not suitable.
How do I slice smoked tofu for a BLT sandwich?
Slice the smoked tofu as thin as possible, ideally 3–5 mm. The thinner the slices, the crispier they’ll get when frying. A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board make this much easier.
How do I get smoked tofu crispy?
Thin slices, high enough heat, and patience. Fry the tofu over medium-high heat and only flip it once it releases easily from the pan. The slices are ready when you can lift them with tongs and they hold their shape without wobbling.
Can I prep the smoked tofu BLT ahead for a vegan brunch?
Yes! For a vegan brunch at home, you can slice the tofu the day before and prepare the marinade and miso mayo in advance. Then just fry and brush the tofu fresh before serving.
What are some other good vegan sandwich ideas?
If you love this smoked tofu sandwich, check out my post 10 ideas for your new favourite vegan sandwich for lots more inspiration.
What else can I make with smoked tofu?
So glad you asked! I’ve put together my 13 most delicious smoked tofu recipes right here.
Is this BLT sandwich also a good dinner option?
Absolutely! The smoked tofu BLT isn’t just a great breakfast or brunch recipe, it also makes a quick vegan dinner. Ready in about 15 minutes, it’s ideal after a long day.
What goes well as a side dish with the smoked tofu BLT?
I love serving my smoky paprika wedges alongside the smoked tofu BLT. They go great with miso mayo too.
Fresh from the fusion kitchen
I’m trying to go vegan and my go to lunch was ham and cheese, plus salad. this was a tasty alternative as I did not like the fake ham sold at my local supermarket. this may be my new go to lunch!
Thank you Lillian, that’s great to hear. We love the sandwich too and make it all the time 🙂