If you're wondering, "What is tempeh?", you've come to the right place! This guide will teach you how to cook it perfectly for all sorts of tempeh recipes.
Tempeh is one of my favorite sources of plant-based protein. I love its earthy, nutty flavor and firm texture. But most of all, I love its versatility. It can crisp up into tasty vegan bacon, fill out a stir fry, crumble into a substitute for ground meat, and more.
Below, I’m sharing a simple guide to tempeh: what it is, how to cook it, and my best tempeh recipes. If you follow a plant-based diet or are interested in eating less meat, I hope you’ll give it a try! This vegan protein is delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare. We should all be eating it more often!
What is Tempeh?
Tempeh is a plant-based protein source that originated in Indonesia. It’s traditionally made from fermented soybeans, though you may see store-bought tempeh made from other beans or grains. During the fermentation process, the beans adhere together to form a block or cake, creating tempeh’s firm, satisfying texture.
You can find tempeh at any health food store or in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores.
Health Benefits
Tempeh is known for its high protein content, but it offers other health benefits too! It’s rich in vitamins and minerals like calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and iron. It’s also high in dietary fiber.
What Does Tempeh Taste Like?
On its own, tempeh has a mild, nutty flavor. But similar to tofu, this plant-based protein will soak up flavor from marinades and sauces. I always marinate it before cooking. Find my go-to marinade in the recipe below!
How to Cook Tempeh
You can prepare tempeh in all sorts of ways. I often bake it, grill it, sauté it, sear it…
Baking is the method I use most often, and if you’re new to cooking this plant-based protein, it’s a great place to start. Here’s how I do it:
Start by chopping the tempeh. Cut it into 1-inch cubes, triangular “steaks,” or 1/2-inch-thick slices. This recipe works with a variety of shapes!
Next, steam it. I know what you’re thinking. “Wait….aren’t we baking it?” Yes, but when I cook tempeh, I almost always start by steaming it. It only takes 10 minutes, and it helps the tempeh soften, which allows it to soak up even more flavor from a marinade. Totally worth it!
While it steams, make your marinade. I love a sweet and savory combo of tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, and sriracha.
- Heads up:Â I’m sharing the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post!
Marinate for at least 30 minutes. It will take on a ton of delicious flavor!
Finally, bake it. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the pieces evenly on the baking sheet, reserving the excess marinade. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and brush with more of the marinade. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until browned around the edges.
- Variation:Â Grill it instead of baking! This method works best with large triangles. After marinating, grill over medium heat for 7 to 9 minutes, or until char marks form. Brush with more marinade, then flip and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until well charred.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Store
Baked or grilled tempeh keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s great for meal prep!
Baked Tempeh Recipes
Once it’s baked, there are so many ways you can use this plant-based protein!
- Add the tempeh to a grain bowl. Try it in this kimchi brown rice bliss bowl!
- Toss it into a salad. I like to pair it with crisp romaine lettuce, julienned carrots, avocado, cherry tomatoes, and my vegan ranch dressing.
- Stuff it into a sandwich. I love adding strips to this vegetarian club sandwich.
- Add it to tacos. Tuck it into tortillas with a scoop of guacamole, mango salsa, and shredded cabbage.
- Use it in a stir fry. Toss it into this bok choy stir fry recipe!
How do you like to use it? Let me know in the comments!
More Tempeh Recipes to Try
Try my marinated baked tempeh recipe below! Then, make one of these tasty tempeh recipes next:
Marinated Baked Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
- ¼ cup tamari
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sriracha
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cut the tempeh into cubes, place in a steamer basket, and set over a pot with 1-inch of water. Bring the water to a simmer, cover, and steam for 10 minutes. This helps the tempeh become tender and ready to soak up more flavor from the marinade.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari, vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, sriracha, and several grinds of pepper. Place the tempeh in a shallow dish and pour the marinade on top to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the cubes in a single layer on the baking sheet, reserving the excess marinade.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush more of the marinade onto the cubes. Bake for 10 more minutes, or until the cubes are charred around the edges. Enjoy on salads or grain bowls.
Notes
This was excellent! My first experience with tempeh, and I’m hooked. I put it on a salad w/ mixed greens, cucumber, and carrots. I added a couple tablespoons of peanut butter to the leftover marinade to make a peanut dressing. 10/10
I”m so glad you loved it!
How long can you keep the baked/cooled Tampeh in the fridge, please?
Hi Steve, it will keep for up to 4 days.
Making this for dinner tonight! Can you do anything with the leftover marinade?
Hi Maeve, I hope you enjoyed the tempeh! We generally discard the leftover marinade, though you could re-use it for baked tofu or toss it with a veggie like broccoli before roasting.
From a tight Yorkshireman… never discard anything, as everything has it’s uses… use it as a salad dressing, or on a cheese toastie..! 🙂
I added a couple tablespoons of peanut butter to the leftover marinade and turned it into a peanut dressing.
This was so good! Steaming first really improves the tempeh. I am so happy to have learned a new technique!
Didn’t have sriracha, so I substituted Frank’s hot sauce. Was delicious!!
Yes, isn’t steaming such a game changer?! So glad you loved the recipe.
I love all the tempeh recipes, but I was looking for how to actually make tempeh? Or is it easier to buy it already made? I wonder if Trader Joe;s has it?
This was the first time i took a few extra steps to steam and marinate and it was SO good! This is now my regular tempeh recipe. Thank you!
Yes, steaming is such a game changer! So glad you love the recipe.
OMG! Best tempeh recipe ever. Full of flavour.
Hi Tania, so glad you loved it!
Put this in to marinate overnight and baked it today to go into a bowl. Delicious. I never steamed the tempeh prior to marinating and I think this is a great idea. I have learned, you can never go wrong with LOVE & LEMONS recipes. Thank you!
So glad you loved it!
Do you have any recommendations for steaming the tempeh if I don’t own a steamer or instant pot? I have never worked with tempeh before so I’ll take any tips or recommendations you have! I needed to find a replacement for crumbled bacon in a recipe I want to make for a vegetarian friend so wanted to give your tempeh bacon a try.
Hi Shay, we’ve had success wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving it for 30 seconds-a minute. Hope you enjoy!
Love this idea! Your method sounds simple and quick! I am trying this tonight
This is my go-to tempeh recipe for EVERYTHING! My four year old twins will even eat it cold, so it is heavily in rotation in our family’s meal plan. I typically double (or triple) the recipe when I make it because everyone in the house (vegetarians and omnivores alike) is happy to enjoy it. LOVE!!!
I’m so glad it’s been such a hit, especially for the little ones!
How much maple syrup is required for recipe too be successful? I don’t eat added sugar normally but figure at least some syrup is needed for it to brown up properly.
Hi Emma, 1 tablespoon might be sufficient here.
How long will this keep in refrigerator once it is baked?
Hi Bet, about 4 days.
Loved the marinated baked Tempeh, will make again ?
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I made this and added a little liquid smoke, onion and garlic powder and a little more maple syrup. I served the pieces over pizza in place of sausage. It was heavenly. I love the meaty texture and it was an excellent pairing with my homemade sourdough crust veggie pizza. One package was just the right amount to cover a cookie sheet size pizza.
I never met a tempeh recipe I liked until this one. Delicious! We added 1/4 tsp liquid smoke to the marinade and basted the tempeh a couple of times while it was baking. Super yum – thanks for this recipe!
I’m so glad you loved it!
Looks lovely, I’ll give it a go
Great marinade! I baked the tempeh in my toaster oven, brushing on additional marinade half way through as you recommend, and the tempeh came out nicely caramelized with a deep rich flavor. Thanks! Will definitely use this recipe for tempeh prep again, especially since I can use the toaster oven.
I’m so glad you loved it!
Can tempeh be cooked in an air fryer? I am just now changing to a plant based diet and this is an item I have not yet tried.
Hi Laurie, I haven’t tried it in my air fryer yet so I’m not sure.
Of course! air fryer is actually small oven. I make everything in air fryer.
Could I do the steaming step in my instant pot using the steam function? Or would that end up making it mushy? I have never tried tempeh before but am interested in trying it.
Hi Briana, yes, you can, if the steaming function is roughly 10 minutes of steaming. It won’t get mushy – we steam it because it helps the flavors soak in better. I hope you enjoy!
You can also make your own tempeh with the instapot. Cook dried beans for 30 minutes then once cooled to warm add starter then use the yoghurt function on your instapot for 48 hrs and bingo, instatempeh?
Can I use sourdough starter?
Thanks for this recipe! Can I let it marinate longer, like all night? Or will it be overpoweringly salty?
Hi Jessy, yep, you can let it marinate overnight.