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!

this RECIPE

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!

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (2)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (3)

2. Baked Sticky Tempeh Potstickers

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (4)

3. Vegan Baked Potato Skins

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (5)

4. Wild Rice and Tempeh Stuffed Acorn Squash

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (6)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (7)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (8)

7. 30 Minute Tempeh Stir Fry from Minimalist Baker

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (9)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (10)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (11)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (12)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (13)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (14)

13. Grilled BBQ Tempeh Skewers by Eating Bird Food

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (15)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (16)

15. Vegan Savory Oatmeal with Tempeh Bacon

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (17)

16. Smoky Tempeh Tostadas with Mango Cabbage Slaw

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (18)

17. Blacked Tempeh with Kale and Avocadofrom Feasting at Home

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (19)

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

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (20)

19. Air Fryer Spicy Mango Tempeh by Meatless Makeovers

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (21)

20. Chili Rubbed Tempeh Tacos by This Unmillennial Life

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (22)

21. Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon by The Vegan Larder

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (23)

21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat tempeh? ›

Just like tofu, tempeh is often used as a plant-based meat alternative. It soaks up flavors like a sponge, is easy to cook, and is always welcome in a sandwich, on grain bowls, or in tacos.

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!

What the heck is tempeh? ›

Tempeh or tempe (/ˈtɛmpeɪ/; Javanese: ꦠꦺꦩ꧀ꦥꦺ, romanized: témpé, Javanese pronunciation: [tempe]) is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. It is made by a natural culturing and controlled fermentation process that binds soybeans into a cake form.

Can you eat tempeh straight from the package? ›

Tempeh should be cooked before being eaten and should not be eaten raw. Prior to being cooked, tempeh has almost no nutritional value and doesn't have a very pleasant taste. Before adding tempeh to anything you should cook it to ensure you get the most flavor and nutrition out of your food.

Why add vinegar to tempeh? ›

The acid from the vinegar helps to prevent the growth of unwanted bacteria. Add the tempeh starter: Sprinkle the tempeh starter over the beans and mix well to evenly distribute the starter throughout the beans.

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.

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.

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.

Should you marinate tempeh? ›

My favorite way to make tempeh taste amazing is to marinate it! You can marinate in the fridge anywhere from one hour to overnight. The longer it marinates the longer the tempeh has time to soak up all the flavors. I'm sharing a simple tempeh marinade below made of maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, oil, tamari and garlic.

What do you eat with tempeh? ›

Quinoa, cilantro lime rice, soba noodles, and cauliflower rice are some of my favorites. Then add a veggie like roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms. Finish it with a punchy sauce like peanut sauce, tahini sauce, chipotle sauce, or cilantro lime dressing.

Can you eat tempeh cold after cooking? ›

Like our Tempeh block, our Tempeh Cubed products cannot be eaten cold straight from the pack, it must be cooked thoroughly first. After cooking you're fine to let it cool and eat it later!

What is a vegan substitute for tempeh? ›

Tofu is moister than tempeh, so in some cases, you'd need to change the other ingredients to accommodate that. In something like a stir-fry, sure, you could use either one. Seitan is denser than tofu, and somewhat more similar to tempeh in texture, so that would be another thing to try.

How do you prepare tempeh to eat? ›

To steam the tempeh, cut it as desired, place in a steamer basket, cover and steam for 10-15 minutes. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling place the tempeh in the saucepan, cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.

Do you need to cook tempeh before eating? ›

Unlike other fermented foods, tempeh cannot be eaten raw. It must be cooked, which deactivates the culture, meaning it is not, technically, probiotic. However, it does contain plenty of prebiotics, like fiber, which promote gut health by feeding the good bacteria in your system.

What should I eat tempeh with? ›

Quinoa, cilantro lime rice, soba noodles, and cauliflower rice are some of my favorites. Then add a veggie like roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms. Finish it with a punchy sauce like peanut sauce, tahini sauce, chipotle sauce, or cilantro lime dressing.

Is tempeh better for you than tofu? ›

It is less processed than tofu, and has a slightly higher protein content. They both do contain some of the same nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Tofu may have more selenium and zinc, but Tempeh may have more B vitamins. Both are healthy and contain some of the same nutrients.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 5407

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.