Tempeh Recipes

Have you tried tempeh? If you follow a plant-based diet or are interested in eating less meat, it’s a fantastic source of protein. Unlike tofu, it has a meaty, firm texture and yummy nutty flavor. As a result, it’s incredibly versatile – I love layering into sandwiches, crumbling it up to mimic ground meat, tossing into stir fries, and searing it like a steak. Read on to find my go-to method for how to cook it, along with my best tempeh recipes. However you try it, I hope you love it too!

Tempeh is a plant-based protein source that originated in Indonesia. It’s made from fermented soybeans that have been formed into a block, though store bought tempeh often includes additional beans and grains. Though it’s known for its high protein content, it offers a host of different health benefits. For example, it’s loaded with vitamins and minerals like calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and iron! Find it at any health food store or in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.

Baking is my favorite method for how to cook tempeh. It’s really easy, and the nutty cubes become crisp and caramelized while they’re in the oven. Here’s how I do it:

Once you’ve made this baked tempeh recipe, you can use it in nearly any salad or bowl! Try swapping it for the tofu, beans, or chickpeas in any of these recipes:

Alternatively, build your own grain bowl, using the baked tempeh for protein. Then, choose 1 (or more) item from each of these categories:

As you can see, these savory baked tempeh cubes are incredibly versatile, but there are other methods for how to cook tempeh! Here are a few of my favorite tempeh recipes that use different marinades or cooking methods:

Marinated baked planks of tempeh take the place of bacon in this veggie riff on a BLT sandwich!

You won’t miss the meat in these mini vegan baked potatoes! Crisp, smoky “bacon bits,” chives, and tangy cashew sour cream or vegan cheese sauce really take them over the top.

If you’re looking for even more recipes, try my Mango Peanut Tacos or Stuffed Acorn Squash!

Easy Marinated Tempeh

This easy marinated tempeh is my favorite way to cook tempeh. The maple balsamic sauce gives the tempeh so much flavor!

Prep: 60min

Total: 72min

Serving Size: 1 /6 of recipe

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 /6 of recipe, calories 218 kcal, Sugar 10 g, Sodium 365 mg, Fat 7 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Carbohydrate 22 g, Fiber 6 g, unSaturated Fat 3 g

Ingredients:

• 2 8 oz packages tempeh
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons avocado or olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons low sodium tamari (soy sauce or coconut aminos)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 Tablespoon avocado or olive oil (for cooking)

Instruction:

1. Remove tempeh from package and chop into small triangles by cutting the tempeh in half width-wise. Cut each half in a star pattern to get 16 mini triangles per package of tempeh, 32 triangles total.
2. In a small bowl combine maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, tamari, 2 teaspoons oil and minced garlic. Add tempeh triangles into a shallow dish with a large surface area, pour maple balsamic marinade over the tempeh, toss to coat and let tempeh marinate in the fridge for 1 – 24 hours. Stir the mixture a couple times while marinating, if possible.
3. Pan-glaze the tempeh by heating 1 Tablespoon avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add the tempeh (without pouring the marinade in) and cook until golden brown on each side, allowing 4-5 minutes per side. Pour the maple balsamic marinade into the pan with the tempeh and simmer another 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced creating a glaze on the tempeh. Toss the tempeh a couple times during this process.
4. Once the sauce has thickened and all tempeh pieces are coated, the tempeh is ready to be served. I recommend serving it over rice, cauliflower rice or another grain and a veggie side.

Marinated Baked Tempeh

You’ve heard of tofu, but what is tempeh? Learn how to cook this delicious protein perfectly. Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll love these tempeh recipes!

Prep: 30min

Total: 60min

Ingredients:

• 1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
• ¼ cup tamari
• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instruction:

1. Cut the tempeh into cubes, place in a steamer basket, and set over a pot with 1-inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and let steam for 10 minutes. This helps it become tender and ready to soak up more flavor from the marinade.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari, vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, sriracha, and several grinds of pepper. Place the tempeh in a shallow dish and pour the marinade on top to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Arrange the cubes onto the baking sheet, reserving the excess marinade.
5. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush more of the marinade onto the cubes. Bake 10 more minutes or until the cubes are charred around the edges. Enjoy on salads or grain bowls.

20 Best Ways to Cook with Tempeh

Forget tofu! These tempeh recipes make the best vegan meals. From burgers to bowls to salad, every plant-based eater needs these recipes in their aresenal.

Ingredients:

• Marinated Baked Tempeh
• Marinated Peanut Tempeh
• General Tso’s Tempeh
• Teriyaki Tempeh
• Maple Herb Roasted Tempeh
• Stovetop Tempeh Bacon
• Lemon Pepper Baked Tempeh Cubes
• Crumbled Tempeh
• Tempeh Black Bean Burgers
• Tempeh Buddha Bowls
• Marinated Tempeh Salad
• 30-Minute Tempeh Stir-Fry
• Tempeh Bolognese
• Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta With Tempeh
• Vegan Tempeh Thai Peanut Noodles
• Vegan Tempeh BLT Sandwiches
• Marinated Tempeh Wraps
• Savory Herb Vegan Tempeh Stew
• Vegan Pizza With Tempeh Sausage
• Tempeh Tacos

Instruction:

1. Select your favorite recipe.
2. Organize all the required ingredients.
3. Prep a tempeh recipe in 30 minutes or less!

How To Make Tempeh Taste AMAZING | High Protein Meat Alternative