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I love Tempeh Bacon! It’s sweet, savory, full of flavor and protein, and super easy to make. This vegan bacon is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or making a delicious vegan BLT.
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What Is Tempeh
Tempeh is fermented whole soybeans, packed with protein and it’s been around a long time. I know it doesn’t sound so exciting right now, but just wait until you try this tempeh bacon recipe.
Think of tempeh as the awkward second cousin of tofu. Tempeh is not very exciting or tasty on its own, but marinate it and there’s no stopping it. It’s a great and hearty meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans.
What Is Tempeh Bacon
It’s exactly how it sounds.
We take the tempeh, slice it, marinate, and cook it. Will it taste exactly like real bacon? No. How about the same texture as bacon? No. And, why? Because it’s not real bacon.
But, it will satisfy the senses and the urges you might have in a much healthier way. And, without the pork.
And, as an added bonus, this vegan bacon won’t clog your arteries and eventually kill you. #winning (I realize hashtags don’t work on websites)
Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that the marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.
Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let the tempeh marinate in the fridge overnight.
Place the tempeh in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place it back in the oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. The cooking time will depend on the oven.
Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven and serve immediately.
How To Cook Tempeh Bacon
You can bake or pan fry. But, obviously, I prefer baking it.
Baking it is less messy and requires no oil. Which is what I’m about here at Shane & Simple.
What To Serve With Vegan Bacon
Vegan Blueberry Pancakes
More vegan pancakes
Tofu Breakfast Scramble
Overnight Vegan French Toast Casserole
Also, try my Oil Free Oven Roasted Potatoes and Vegan Sausage recipe if you’d more vegan breakfast dishes.
I hope you enjoy this tempeh bacon recipe. It’s…
Sweet
Savory
Smoky
Easy to make
Loaded with protein
Full of flavor
& Delicious
TempehTIPS: The longer the bacon marinates the more flavor it will absorb from the marinade. Also, tempeh tends to be a little bitter right out of the package. You and soften that by steaming or boiling it for 10-15 minutes.
Be sure and let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment, take a picture, post it onInstagramand tag the photo#shaneandsimpleso I can see your dish. If you want to be kept up to speed on all that’s going down with Shane & Simple and my latest recipesSUBSCRIBE HERE!
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Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon
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4.9 from 9 reviews
This Tempeh Bacon is absolutely delicious and super easy to prepare. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, and delicious! Pile it high in sandwiches, on top of salads, or anywhere you’d normally put bacon.
Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.
Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let marinate in the fridge overnight.
Layout tempeh on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place tempeh back in oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. Cooking time will depend on oven.
Tempeh can have a somewhat “bitter” flavor to it, which I like. But, if you want a milder tempeh you can simply boil or steam it for about 10-15 minutes. Mellows it out.
Cut the smoky tempeh strips in half. To grill the strips, heat the vegetable oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Grill the tempeh for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning over carefully with a small spatula, until evenly browned and crispy around the edges. Remove from the pan.
Our fermented, organic Smoky Tempeh is a super versatile superfood, with 12g of complete protein per serving. Try it as a bacon alternative on breakfast sandwiches or in wedge salads for a quick, easy, delicious meal.
Tempeh bacon is a good source of protein and fiber. It is also low in fat and calories, making it a healthy option for those who are watching their weight. Tempeh bacon is also a good source of iron and magnesium.
SKILLET (OUR FAVORITE): Lightly coat skillet with oil; preheat over MEDIUM heat.Place strips in a single layer and cook 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning once.
Yes!Tempeh bacon has a bacon-y flavor and chewy texture. The soy sauce lends that salty-savory note, while the sweetness of maple syrup balances it out. Smoked paprika adds the signature smoky flavor you expect from traditional bacon.
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.
Start by sticking to a single three-ounce serving a few days per week, and slowly increase your intake as tolerated. Because tempeh is made from soybeans, those with a soy allergy should avoid tempeh altogether.
Yep. Like its cousin tofu, tempeh has a rich nutrient profile.But it also boasts double the protein, bringing it to protein parity with beef, but slightly less than chicken. While tempeh is naturally gluten free, many store-bought versions contain additives that definitely aren't.
“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.
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.
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.
Our Original Soy Tempeh is a super versatile superfood, with 18g of complete protein per serving. Try it in a rice bowl stir fry or over a salad for a quick, easy, delicious meal.
Add Tempeh Cubes to pan, use tongs or a spatula to break apart cubes, and stir occasionally for 6-8 minutes until warm. AIR FRYER: Toss Tempeh Cubes in 2 tsp oil. Cook in air fryer at 400°F for about 5-7 minutes or until they have reached desired crispness.
To prepare the Lightlife Original Tempeh, cut crosswise into 8 triangles. Heat the vegetable oil in the non-stick skillet over medium low heat. Cook the triangles with 2 Tbsp. soy sauce until golden brown and warm, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Packaged tempeh is pre-cooked so you can easily enjoy it right from the package (on sandwiches, salads, etc), but I highly recommend cooking it so that it tastes better. A lot of people suggest steaming the tempeh before marinating or cooking to help remove any bitterness.
Steaming the tempeh will remove some of the bitterness before cooking it further. This step isn't always necessary, especially if you're pairing the tempeh with a boldly-flavored sauce. You can steam tempeh using a steamer basket in a saucepan or a microwave-safe dish covered with water or vegetable broth.
Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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