Easy Smoky Tempeh Recipe

Tempeh is a polarizing food. But if you’re not a huge fan, I’m confident that this smoky tempeh recipe will change your mind.

What even is tempeh? Like tofu, tempeh is made from soybeans. But, unlike tofu, the soybeans are kept whole and intact in tempeh and are fermented, forming the bricks of tempeh. This means that tempeh is also a source of probiotics!

Tempeh is a great source of plant-based protein, with one cup containing a whopping 30 grams of protein! Tempeh is also a great source of iron, calcium, and magnesium.

While tempeh has a nutty flavor, it tends to absorb the flavors of what it’s cooked with, as long as it’s cooked properly. One of the biggest mistakes I see people make when cooking tempeh is slicing it up and pan-frying, without letting it steam first. While this will get the job done in terms of cooking, it’s not the best way to achieve delicious, flavorful tempeh.

If you’re looking for the perfect side dish to pair with this tempeh, may I suggest my Sautéed Fresh Kale with Garlic and Nutritional Yeast?! It only takes 5 minutes to whip up!

Tempeh naturally has a slightly bitter flavor, that’s reduced when we steam the tempeh before soaking and cooking in a delicious marinade. Sadly, this means tempeh usually takes longer to cook than I typically care to spend in the kitchen. I was looking for an easier way to achieve the mouth-watering flavor, without all the extra steps, which is when this method came along of steaming it all together in one pan!

I love serving this tempeh on sandwiches, in bowls, or crumbled into salads or on top of soups to act as a vegan ‘bacon’. But if I’m being honest, I totally eat it plain too.