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 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.

What does tempeh go well with? ›

Serve over rice! So good. Add crispy baked tempeh or tempeh bacon to salads or sandwiches. Serve in tacos, burritos, grain bowls, fried rice, stir fries, pastas, and so much more!

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.

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 to get bitterness out of tempeh? ›

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.

Is tempeh better for you than tofu? ›

Tempeh contains the most fiber and more protein than tofu because it contains the whole bean. The soy protein in tempeh is more digestable because of the fermentation process.

Can you eat tempeh straight from the package? ›

Because of this potential, to ensure food safety, all tempeh should be pasteurized or cooked before it's eaten (FYI, pasteurization and thorough cooking are pretty much the same thing). This is why tempeh, though fermented, should not be considered a probiotic food. But don't worry!

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.

Is there a downside to tempeh? ›

Tempeh, along with other fermented soy products, is generally considered safe for most people. However, some individuals may want to consider limiting their intake of tempeh. Those with a soy allergy should avoid tempeh altogether. Eating tempeh may trigger an allergic response for these people.

How do you add Flavour to tempeh? ›

Tamari, to give a nice golden color and depth of flavor, 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 an anti inflammatory? ›

While people with inflammation should generally avoid dairy, soy protein products like tofu and tempeh have been found to reduce pain in joints according to a study from Oklahoma State University. An easy way to add soy to your diet is using soy protein powder.

Why does my tempeh taste bad? ›

As they point out, if tempeh ferments for even just a little too long the bitter flavours of lactic acid bacteria and acetobacter (a microbial companion to vinegar) overwhelm the mushroomy flavour of the rhizopus oligosporus used to make tempeh.

How long does tempeh keep in the fridge? ›

Tempeh will keep practically indefinitely in the freezer. In the refrigerator it will keep for about a week before it starts degrading. An easy way to remember: 10 days in the fridge, 10 months in the freezer (hopefully you'll eat it before then though).

Is it better to steam or boil tempeh? ›

Neither of these microbes are harmful to humans. But both of them can create bitter tastes in fermented foods. Luckily, throwing tempeh into a steam bath before cooking with it helps to purge the flavours these food-fermenting organisms can leave behind.

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Last Updated:

Views: 5984

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Saturnina Altenwerth DVM

Birthday: 1992-08-21

Address: Apt. 237 662 Haag Mills, East Verenaport, MO 57071-5493

Phone: +331850833384

Job: District Real-Estate Architect

Hobby: Skateboarding, Taxidermy, Air sports, Painting, Knife making, Letterboxing, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.