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!

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

2. Baked Sticky Tempeh Potstickers

3. Vegan Baked Potato Skins

4. Wild Rice and Tempeh Stuffed Acorn Squash

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

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

7. 30 Minute Tempeh Stir Fry from Minimalist Baker

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

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

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

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

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

13. Grilled BBQ Tempeh Skewers by Eating Bird Food

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

15. Vegan Savory Oatmeal with Tempeh Bacon

16. Smoky Tempeh Tostadas with Mango Cabbage Slaw

17. Blacked Tempeh with Kale and Avocadofrom Feasting at Home

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

19. Air Fryer Spicy Mango Tempeh by Meatless Makeovers

20. Chili Rubbed Tempeh Tacos by This Unmillennial Life

21. Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon by The Vegan Larder

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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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.

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Should you steam or boil tempeh? ›

Steaming your tempeh is the trick to remove that bitterness, leaving you with a cleaner, nutty flavor. Tempeh that's been steamed is excellent for soaking up flavorful marinades, crumbling in chili or dicing up and adding to a stir-fry.

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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.

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21 Delicious Vegan Tempeh Recipes (2024)