What is tempeh?
If you haven’t cooked tempeh before, you are missing out! It’s a wonderful vegetarian meat substitute that is made from fermented soybeans and often other grains as well. It has a meaty texture, is high in protein and can be sliced, crumbled or chopped. It doesn’t have much flavor on it’s own, so it’s perfect for marinating or cooking in a flavorful sauce. One of my favorite sandwiches ever is this BBQ Tempeh Sandwich. My other favorite use of tempeh is for making bacon! We have Vegan BLT sandwiches about once a week because everyone is obsessed.
What is the marinade made of?
Soy sauce (I use low sodium soy sauce) Apple cider vinegar Pure maple syrup (just a little) Cumin & Liquid smoke
Bake or Pan Fry
I prefer pan frying the tempeh bacon in a little oil, but baking works just fine. Baked tempeh bacon is a bit crunchier, while fried tastes richer and a bit more like bacon. Pan frying also takes less time (~15 minutes for all of them) while baking will take a bit longer (30 minutes).
Tips for the best tempeh bacon
Marinate for at least an hour so the tempeh can absorb the flavors. Overnight is even better! Slice the tempeh thin, not too thick (1/4 inch) If pan frying, add a few tablespoons of leftover marinade at the end, to make it even more flavorful!
Make sure check out my Tofu Bacon as well, for another delicious vegan bacon option! This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here. This recipe was originally posted in April 2018, and has been updated with new photos and writing November 2019.
title: “Tempeh Bacon” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-29” author: “Lynn Andrews”
4.43 10 Published Dec 28, 2020, Updated Jan 21, 2024 Tempeh is such an easy protein option to keep in your fridge (it’s a fermented product so it lasts a long time) plus it’s a great source of fiber. If you’re following a plant-based diet or just want to try something new, I highly recommend trying tempeh.
What is Tempeh?
Let’s start with the basics. Tempeh is a plant-based protein made of cooked soybeans that have been fermented. The fermentation process binds the soybeans into a cake/patty, which is what you’ll find at your local grocery store. It’s similar to tofu, however there are some differences – tempeh is less processed, fermented, has a stronger flavor and a bit more texture. The flavor is usually described as nutty or earthy, but there are different varieties with subtle taste differences. I’ve tried a ton of different tempeh varieties and Lightlife is definitely my favorite for a few reasons: it’s organic, GMO-free and easy to find at mainstream stores.
Tempeh Bacon Ingredients
You don’t need a ton of ingredients to make tempeh bacon… just some pantry staple seasonings and liquid smoke.
tempeh low-sodium tamari or soy sauce avocado or olive oil maple syrup liquid smoke – this is one item you might not have in your pantry, but I highly recommend buying it because it gives tempeh that smoky bacon flavor. If you can’t find it at your local grocery, buy it online. smoked paprika garlic powder black pepper
How to Make Tempeh Bacon
Making tempeh bacon is so simple and way less messy than cooking pork bacon, which always leaves grease splattered everywhere. You can also sauté tempeh bacon in a pan, but I prefer to bake it because it gets crispier.
How to Use Tempeh Bacon
You can use this tempeh bacon in almost any recipe that calls for traditional bacon! It’s delicious on this vegan breakfast sandwich, would pair perfectly with these healthy sweet potato skins and works great on this vegan Cobb salad. Have fun experimenting!
How to Store Tempeh Bacon
Store any leftover tempeh bacon in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to one week in the fridge. To reheat, you can throw it in the toaster oven or traditional oven for about five minutes. If you’re in a rush, microwaving or reheating on the stovetop works as well. I personally like eating it cold, straight from the fridge.
More Tempeh Recipes to Try:
Marinated Tempeh Tempeh Tacos Curried Tempeh Salad Vegan Tempeh Tikka Masala Maple Mustard Tempeh Meal Prep Bowls BBQ Baked Tempeh Chips Curried Cauliflower and Tempeh Bowl
