21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (2024)

Have you ever tried tempeh? This list of vegan tempeh recipes is a great place to start! Learn how to cook tempeh in 21 fun, delicious ways!

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21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes

Who’s ready to eat some TEMPEH?!

If you’re like “uh, what is tempeh?” or not sure how to cook tempeh, then don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve scoured the web for all the BEST tempeh recipes and listed them all here.

There are so many different ways to learn how to make tempeh, so I’ve rounded plenty of different methods so that you can find your favorite! From savory tempeh stir fry recipes, to easy baked tempeh and even air fryer tempeh for a crispy crunch, you’ll find lots of different ways to prepare this plant-based protein.

I’m sure you’ll find a few recipes on this list that tickle your fancy. Pick one out to try this week to start adding tempeh to your plant-based protein rotation!

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What is Tempeh?

Okay, let’s back up… what is tempeh? It’s a fermented soy product that makes for a great meat alternative in sandwiches, stir-fries, soups, you name it! It differs texturally from tofu quite a bit, so if you’re not a fan of tofu, don’t sleep on tempeh! Tempeh has more of a meaty consistency vs. the sponginess of tofu. It crisps up well and makes for a really delicious plant-based meat alternative in stir fries, sheet pan meals, sandwiches and so much more.

I’ve broken down this list into different cooking methods so that you can easily find your favorite method. Dig in and once you try a couple recipes, let me know your favorite!

Baked Tempeh Recipes

Tempeh is the perfect plant-based protein to just toss on a sheet tray with some veggies for an easy meal in a pinch. It crisps up nicely in the oven and doesn’t take much time to cook. Whether you’re looking for simple vegan sheet tray recipes, or wanting to get more creative, here are a few of my favorite baked tempeh recipes.

1. Teriyaki Tempeh and Vegetables

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2. Baked Sticky Tempeh Potstickers

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3. Vegan Baked Potato Skins

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4. Wild Rice and Tempeh Stuffed Acorn Squash

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5. Sheet Pan Cabbage and Tempeh with Mustard Tahini Vinaigrettefrom Making Thyme for Health

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Tempeh Stir Fry Recipes

I love making a tempeh stir fry on a busy week night. Pick a few of your favorite veggies, grab your tempeh and whip up a delicious homemade sauce and you’ve got a flavorful dinner on the table in no time. Here are a handful of my favorite ways to use tempeh in a vegan stir fry.

6. Orange Tempeh Stir Fry

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7. 30 Minute Tempeh Stir Fry from Minimalist Baker

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8. Tempeh Stir Fry with Peanut Ginger Sauce by Jessica in the Kitchen

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9. Kimchi Fried Rice with Smoky Tempeh and Broccolifrom The First Mess

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Grilled Tempeh Recipes

If you’re looking to switch up your grilling game from the standard veggie burger, then tempeh is the perfect thing to throw into the mix! It grills much better than tofu thanks to its firmer texture. And since tempeh holds less water content than tofu, it holds onto flavors from a marinade really well, making it the ideal plant-based protein for barbecue season! Try out some of these grilled tempeh recipes next time you fire up the grill!

10. Grilled Tempeh Greek Salad by The Savory Vegan

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11. Grilled Tempeh with Filipino BBQ Sauce by One Green Planet

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12. The Best Marinated and Grilled Tempeh Recipe by The First Mess

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13. Grilled BBQ Tempeh Skewers by Eating Bird Food

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Pan Fried Tempeh Recipes

This is my go-to method for cooking tempeh. It’s easy to sear in a pan, and lends itself well to simple one pan recipes. Tempeh crisps up really nicely when fried in a pan, especially when coated in all your favorite seasonings!

14. Cajun Rice and Fried Tempeh Skillet

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15. Vegan Savory Oatmeal with Tempeh Bacon

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16. Smoky Tempeh Tostadas with Mango Cabbage Slaw

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17. Blacked Tempeh with Kale and Avocadofrom Feasting at Home

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Air Fryer Tempeh Recipes

For that really satisfying crispy crunch, throw your tempeh in the air fryer! This is a great method for making tempeh bacon, which can be used on salads, in BLT’s, or on breakfast bowls. Try one of these air fryer tempeh recipes for a delicious crave-worthy meal.

18. Sriracha Lime Air Fryer Tempeh by Justine Snacks

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19. Air Fryer Spicy Mango Tempeh by Meatless Makeovers

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20. Chili Rubbed Tempeh Tacos by This Unmillennial Life

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21. Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon by The Vegan Larder

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21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What are some tricks to cooking tempeh? ›

Simmer the tempeh to soften the flavor.

Before using tempeh in any recipe, you can soften its bitter flavor by simmering the cubes for a couple minutes in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. An alternative to simmering: set a steamer basket in a pot and steam the cubes for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

Do you have to soak tempeh before cooking? ›

Its naturally bitter and earthy flavors make raw tempeh quite unappetizing. To enjoy tempeh to the fullest, I always recommend soaking it in a marinade and/or pan-frying it with a tart, sweet, and salty sauce.

How do you cook tempeh without killing probiotics? ›

Doesn't cooking tempeh kill the good bacteria? Just on the outside. As long as the internal temperature doesn't get too hot the probiotic stimulators will remain alive. That's why we recommend you don't cook in the microwave.

How do you make tempeh not taste bad? ›

Luckily, throwing tempeh into a steam bath before cooking with it helps to purge the flavours these food-fermenting organisms can leave behind. Which means that your steamed tempeh will be ready to take on whatever flavours you want to give it through marinades, rubs, or sauces!

How do you boil tempeh to get the bitterness out of it? ›

To remove bitterness from the tempeh, add to rimmed skillet or saucepan filled with 1 inch of water and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Steam tempeh for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point. Then rinse, pat dry, and cut into thin, bite-size pieces.

What does vinegar do in tempeh? ›

vinegar (like apple cider vinegar): adding vinegar creates an acidic environment. This is important to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria. a warm place: like an incubator or simply an oven with the light on. Temperatures of 30-37°C (85-98°F) work best to make tempeh.

How do you add flavor to tempeh? ›

Liquid Smoke, Smoked Paprika, and Black Pepper, to add more umami-goodness, a touch of Maple Syrup, to help caramelize the Tempeh, and some Vegetable Bouillon (or Veggie Broth) for extra liquid and flavor.

Is tempeh better for you than tofu? ›

While you can't go wrong with either plant-based protein, tempeh is generally considered to be the healthier option due to its rich nutrient profile. It contains more protein, fiber, and vitamins than tofu. Tempeh is also fermented, and fermented foods are easier to digest and provide healthy gut bacteria.

Can you eat tempeh straight from the package? ›

Tempeh should be cooked before being eaten and should not be eaten raw.

When preparing a dish with tempeh What first step is recommended? ›

Don't skip this step! Steaming tempeh before baking or grilling it helps it soak up a marinade and infuse it with extra flavor. Steam the cubes for 10 minutes, and whisk together a marinade while they cook.

Can you eat too much tempeh? ›

It's completely safe and healthy to eat up to two to three servings of soy products, such as tempeh, daily,” says Palmer. Of course, if you're allergic or sensitive to soy, you'll want to avoid it.

Can you overcook tempeh? ›

When cooked, tempeh should have a chewy, meat-like texture. If it's rubbery, that means it's probably overcooked. It's a delicious and healthy way to replace meat in stir-fries, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and Bolognese dishes, but it may take time and practice to get it right.

Why does tempeh taste weird? ›

Like tofu, tempeh is a soy-based product. Unlike tofu, though, it's made from whole soybeans, meaning it's less processed than tofu. It's also fermented, which is what gives it its unique flavor.

Is Trader Joe's tempeh fermented? ›

Trader Joe's tempeh is a delicious and nutritious plant-based protein option that is perfect for vegetarians and vegans alike. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh is a great source of protein, fiber, and probiotics.

Does boiling tempeh make it taste better? ›

Then cover the tempeh in water, and either simmer it in boiling water for 5 minutes, or microwave it for 5 minutes. This step helps to bring out the natural nuttiness of tempeh while dialing down the stronger flavors that some people find objectionable.

How do you make tempeh without dehulling? ›

All you need to do is just using the former tempeh wrappers which still have the molds by rubbing it directly to the soybeans which is ready to ferment. Using this way, it normally needs 5-10 dry leaves for 1kg soybeans. Moreover, you can also squeeze the dry leaves and then mix into the soybeans.

References

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