These sheet pan vegan BBQ carnitas style are made from a mix of mushrooms and shredded tofu coated in spices and BBQ sauce then roasted until golden brown and piled up high into a Philly cheesesteak style sandwich or tacos. The perfect weeknight dinner in less than one hour.

Vegan BBQ

If you loved my vegan ribs you are sure to fall for these these vegan BBQ carnitas piled up high on a long hoagie roll Philly cheesesteak style over melted vegan smoked gouda or provolone with grilled peppers and onions and extra sauce on the side. No matter the occasion, from a family barbecue to a weeknight dinner, these extra savory flavorful meaty carnitas are sure to deliver on every level.

About the Mushrooms

I used a mix of sliced mushrooms here, sometimes I use fresh and sometimes I’ll use whatever frozen mix I have stashed in the freezer. If using frozen ones make sure to run them under some cold water to thaw them and then wring out any excess water before mixing them with the rest of the ingredients. Having a variety of mushrooms will deliver the best umami flavors and textures so try to get a couple of different varieties in there like a few shiitakes and some shredded king oyster mushrooms for extra meatiness.

The Tofu

Use a super firm block of tofu that does not need any pressing and shred it through the large holes of a box grater. Usually they come in a 16 oz block but sometimes they will be 14 oz, do not fret just use whichever is available as this recipe is forgiving and the measurements don’t need to be exact. If super firm is not available you can use an extra firm block and give it an extra 5 minutes or so in the oven for the extra moisture to evaporate.

Seasonings

This is not supposed to taste just like a basic barbecue sauce, it needs to brim with umami flavor throughout so you can enjoy it in different ways as well . So before you even add any sauce you’ll want to give your mix a nice layer of seasonings with shoyu, onion, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, ancho chili powder and nutritional yeast. Don’t be afraid to use your hands here to mix and coat everything really well. This deep delicious flavoring will come through in every bite as everything roasts together and the flavors mingle and concentrate. For the most luscious and rich result make sure to finish with a good drizzle of olive oil before cooking, this will help with the browning process which equals flavor and also prevent it from drying out.

Let’s Talk BBQ Sauce

There are countless options of delicious BBQ sauce available out there, make sure to choose one you already know you love, preferably one that is thick and not watery. Have extra to serve on the side for dipping or drizzling on top especially if you prefer your food extra saucy. Keep in mind the sauce is here as a compliment to the other flavors and not to overpower them.

Serving Suggestions

There’s more than one way to serve these delicious carnitas. From a sheet pan dinner served alongside chimichurri roasted potatoes, topping a pizza, spooned in vegan tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos or my favorite go to weeknight dinner lately: piled up high in a long hoagie roll lined with melted vegan cheese and topped with grilled peppers and onions Philly cheesesteak style.

Storage + Reheating

Any leftovers can be refrigerated in lidded containers up to 5 days and reheated directly under the broiler for a few minutes until heated through and the edges crisp up again. Alternatively they can be reheated on the stovetop in a heavy bottom cast iron skillet or wok for the best results.

Delicious Tofu Recipes

How to Make Vegan BBQ Carnitas

5 from 1 vote