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    Home » Simple Vegan Recipes » Main dishes

    BBQ Soy Curls

    Last Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by Becky Striepe

    Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Privacy Policy for more details.

    Recipe Video Print
    BBQ soy curls in a bowl with green onions on top
    hands holding a BBQ soy curls sandwich
    hands holding a BBQ soy curls sandwich, text overlay
    image collage showing soaking soy curls, browned soy curls in the pan and in the pan just after adding BBQ sauce and after cooking the sauce down until sticky

    Sticky-sweet BBQ soy curls are a delicious main dish or vegan sandwich filling. I love a BBQ soy curls sandwich with plenty of creamy vegan jalapeño slaw!

    BBQ soy curls in a bowl with green onions on top

    This super simple BBQ soy curls recipe could not be easier to make. You make the whole thing on the stovetop in one pan.

    If you're new to soy curls, don't panic! They might seem super processed or hard to work with, but they're actually neither.

    Soy curls are minimally processed. They're made by pressing soy beans and drying them out. The result is strips that, when you reconstitute them in hot water or broth, have a shockingly chicken-like texture.

    They're perfect tossed in BBQ sauce, teriyaki sauce, or buffalo sauce. Use them wherever you need a vegan chicken substitute!

    Jump To:
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make BBQ soy curls
    • Helpful tips
    • Serving suggestions
    • Storage directions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More vegan sandwich recipes
    • BBQ Soy Curls
    soy curls, BBQ sauce, and oil in bowls on a wooden table

    Ingredients and substitutions

    You only need three ingredients to make this recipe:

    • soy curls - These are made from whole soy beans. They have a meaty, chicken-like texture and a neutral flavor. They're a great vegan meat substitute!
    • oil - You can use spray oil or a little dollop of oil from the bottle. You just need a little bit to get those soy curls crisp on the edges before adding the BBQ sauce.
    • BBQ sauce - Make sure you check the ingredient label for animal ingredients like honey, anchovies, and meat.

    How to make BBQ soy curls

    This is a quick and easy stovetop recipe.

    First, you need to soak the soy curls, because they come dehydrated. Cover them in boiling water or broth, let them rehydrate for 10 minutes, then drain them.

    Once they're cool enough to handle, use your hands to squeeze out the excess water, like wringing the water from a sponge. Really squeeze them out well for the best texture.

    image collage showing soaking soy curls, browned soy curls in the pan and in the pan just after adding BBQ sauce and after cooking the sauce down until sticky

    Now, heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat and add the soy curls. Cook for just five to seven minutes, until the soy curls start to turn crispy on the edges.

    Then, it's BBQ sauce time! Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the sauce right to the pan of soy curls, and cook, stirring for about five more minutes, until the sauce is clinging to the soy curls.

    That's it! You are now ready to make your BBQ soy curls sandwich or dish these up with your sides of choice.

    Helpful tips

    • Make sure you choose vegan BBQ sauce. Look for honey, anchovies, and meat ingredients on the label. A lot of store-brand BBQ sauces are vegan, bc those animal ingredients are pricey. And, they're more affordable than other BBQ sauces!
    • Squeeze out the soy curls well after soaking! You don't want them to be watery.
    hands holding a BBQ soy curls sandwich

    Serving suggestions

    I love to serve these as an entree or as a BBQ soy curls sandwich!

    • For a great, easy vegan BBQ sandwich, just pile them onto hamburger buns with a good dollop of your favorite vegan slaw or sliced lettuce, tomato, and onion.
    • They make a great protein for a mashed potato bowl! Use them in place of the tofu.
    • Serve with your favorite BBQ sides, like potato salad, pasta salad, corn on the cob, etc.
    • Pile them onto a baked potato with steamed or roasted broccoli.

    Storage directions

    Leftover BBQ soy curls will keep for up to four days in an airtight container the fridge. I have not tried freezing these.

    To reheat, just pop them into the microwave or into a nonstick pan on the stovetop to warm them through.

    Frequently asked questions

    Are soy curls good for you?

    Honestly, I feel like "good for you" is a loaded term, but if pressed, I'd say yes! They have plenty of fiber and protein and are low in salt.

    What do soy curls taste like?

    They have a very neutral flavor, which means you can take them in any direction you like, seasoning-wise. If you want to add some flavor oomph, soak them in vegetable broth or vegan chicken broth instead of water when you reconstitute them.

    How are soy curls different from tofu?

    Butler soy curls are dehydrated strips made from pressed, dried soybeans. They have a very chicken-like texture when cooked.

    Tofu, on the other hand, comes in a block and has a more soft, creamy texture. Tofu is made similarly to how cottage cheese is made. Soy milk is combined with an acid, and then they press the curds into a sliceable block. I've actually made tofu from scratch before! It's fun but time consuming.

    Are soy curls already cooked?

    They aren't. They come dehydrated, and you need to reconstitute them with water, then pan fry or bake them. They cook up very quickly!

    Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

    BBQ soy curls are naturally gluten-free and nut-free.

    More vegan sandwich recipes

    • Vegan Lobster Rolls
    • Vegan mashed chickpea salad with grapes
    • Fried tofu sandwich
    hands holding a BBQ soy curls sandwich

    BBQ Soy Curls

    Sticky-sweet BBQ soy curls are a delicious main dish or vegan sandwich filling. I love a BBQ soy curls sandwich with plenty of creamy vegan jalapeño slaw!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Salad
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Keyword: bbq soy curls, bbq soy curls sandwich
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 281kcal
    Author: Becky Striepe

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups soy curls
    • 2 cups warm water - or use broth for even more flavor
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil - or neutral-tasting oil or spray oil
    • 1 cup BBQ sauce

    Instructions

    • Place the soy curls into a bowl and pour on enough boiling water to cover them completely. Let them soak for 10 minutes, then drain them. When the soy curls are cool enough to handle, squeeze out the excess water.
    • Heat the oil in a pan on medium-high heat and add the soy curls. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until the soy curls start to turn crispy on the edges.
    • Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the sauce to the pan of soy curls, and cook, stirring for 5-7 more minutes, until the sauce is clinging to the soy curls.

    Video

    Notes

    When choosing a BBQ sauce, look out for honey, anchovies, and meat ingredients on the ingredient list.
    Leftover soy curls will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. I have not tried freezing these.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    BBQ Soy Curls
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    281
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    1
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    0.2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Sodium
     
    740
    mg
    31
    %
    Potassium
     
    166
    mg
    5
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    42
    g
    14
    %
    Fiber
     
    8
    g
    32
    %
    Sugar
     
    29
    g
    32
    %
    Protein
     
    23
    g
    46
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    160
    IU
    3
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    0.4
    mg
    0
    %
    Calcium
     
    172
    mg
    17
    %
    Iron
     
    5
    mg
    28
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    More Vegan main dishes

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    About Becky Striepe

    Headshot of Becky Striepe in front of a teal wall

    Hi there! I'm Becky Striepe (rhymes with sleepy), and I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here.

    Learn more about me >>>

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Peter Levine

      March 21, 2023 at 1:48 pm

      Great sounding recipe. Along with slaw it would be a great "Sloppy Joe". Did you try any
      spices like cumin, cilantro or coriander ? Served over rice or pasta it would be a great
      main dish for a dinner party.

      Reply
    2. TofuAnnie

      March 21, 2023 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      So simple and yet it's never occurred to me to try soy curls like this (what rock was I under?). I could add some sautéed and browned onion slices to the mix and like you show - on a bun! Tasty!

      Reply

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    Glue and Glitter
    Hi! My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”). I love using gadgets and shortcuts to create easy vegan comfort food recipes for busy people. Whether you love your Instant Pot, your air fryer, or just love delicious plant-based meals, stick around. You'll like it here. → READ MORE

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