When my son was 9 years old, he was totally obsessed with bacon. And I'm sure most people would think that's totally normal, except... my son has never had real bacon in his life. Tempeh bacon, yes. But real, animal-sourced bacon, never.
Tempeh Bacon is a plant-based substitution to the "real thing" that is surprisingly satisfying. This "bacon" is filled with the smoky flavor and satisfying crunch you crave. It’s delicious in salads or sandwiches and adds vegetarian protein to any meal.
I'm not quite sure who to blame for my son's obsession. TV commercials, Guy Fiery and his Triple D show, YouTube... It doesn't matter, really. As long as I have an alternative that makes him happy, it's all good. After all, he's never had "the real thing" so, in my opinion, he's not really missing out on anything!
One of our favorite ways to turn a salad from a side dish into a filling main entree is to add protein. We’ve found that the just-right blend of seasonings and a little bit of oil turns tempeh into a delicious bacon substitute that we love crumbling over our best salad recipes! You will love this plant-based protein and you will not fool your meat-eating friends and family but it is still filling and delicious.
What is Tempeh?
Tempeh is a plant-based, protein-rich soy product made from fermented soybeans with some grains or beans added. Tempeh is of Indonesian origin. The soybeans are cultured and bound together into a solid that can be used in many ways! Tempeh has a nutty flavor by itself, but it actually absorbs other flavors really well. This makes it a great plant-based meat substitute.
NOTE: because most tempeh is made with some type of grain, it's generally not a gluten-free product, check the label before buying if gluten is a concern for you.
Is Tempeh Good For You?
Tempeh is high in plant-based protein and various vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. Because it’s fermented it also contains prebiotics, which may improve digestive health. We love cooking with this vegan ingredient as a meat substitute!
Tempeh Bacon Spices
We’ve experimented and perfected our spice blend to make the perfect, smoky bacon flavor. Since tempeh absorbs flavor so well it’s important to get your seasoning combination just right!
- Smoked paprika - We prefer Pimentón de la Vera from Spain! If that isn’t available then regular smoked paprika will do
- Chili powder blend
- Salt - Use smoked salt if you have it
- Black pepper
How to Make Tempeh Bacon
You can cook the tempeh sliced into longer pieces like traditional bacon or sliced into smaller, bite-sized bacon bits. Longer slices can be drizzled with oil and sprinkled with the spices (half on each side), while bite-sized bits can be tossed in oil and spices before cooking. We cook tempeh on the stovetop in a little bit of oil as we’ve found this gives it the best texture!
Tips for Better Tempeh Bacon
Here are a few tips for making sure your bacon substitute turns out just right every time!
- Slice the tempeh ¼" thick so it becomes crispy
- Make sure it’s evenly coated with oil and spices
- Let it cool for just a few minutes before serving. The tempeh firms up even more as it cools, giving it that satisfying crunch!
Leftover tempeh bacon can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can use this as a substitute for bacon in any of your favorite salads, sandwiches, pasta, or even on pizza!
You Can Also Make Bancon Bits Using the Same Recipe
More Tempeh Recipes
- Gluten-Free BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches
- Jamaican Jerk Tempeh Mango Bowl
- Tempeh & Black Bean Burger
- Veggie-Loaded Tempeh Sheetpan Dinner
- Tempeh Breakfast Burrito
- Bamboo Rice & Za’atar Tempeh Spring Bowl
- Tempeh Wellington
DID YOU LIKE OUR TEMPEH BACON RECIPE?
If you enjoyed this recipe, it would help us tremendously if you left us a star rating in the comments below or on the recipe card. Do you have any questions about the recipe? Do you need a swap for any of the ingredients? We are here to help, just leave us a question in the comments below.
Tempeh Bacon
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 30 bacon slices 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Tempeh Bacon is a plant-based substitution to the "real thing" that is surprisingly satisfying. This Tempeh Bacon is filled with the smoky flavor and satisfying crunch you crave. It’s delicious in salads or sandwiches and adds vegetarian protein to any meal.
Ingredients
- 8oz tempeh
- 2 tbsp olive oil, avocado oil, or grapeseed oil
- ¼-½ tsp salt ( use smoked salt, if you have it)
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp prepared chili powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
To make Tempeh Bacon Slices
- Starting from the shorter side of the tempeh block, slice the tempeh into ¼" slices
- To prepare the "bacon", combine salt and spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle one side of the tempeh slices with half of the spice mixture.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large 12" nonstick skillet. Arrange tempeh slices in one single layer, spice side down. Sprinkle the remaining spice mixture on the tempeh. Cook over medium-low heat for about 4 minutes, until golden brown.
- Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil on the tempeh, turn the slices over and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes or until the tempeh starts to turn golden (keep an eye so they don't burn).
- Remove from heat and transfer the tempeh slices to a plate lined with a paper towel, to absorb any excess oil. Set aside to cool slightly
To Make Tempeh Bacon Bits
- Starting from the shorter side of the tempeh block, slice the tempeh in ¼" slices and then cut each slice into bite-size cubes
- In a large bowl add tempeh spices and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Stir well so the tempeh is well coated with the oil and the spices.
- Heat the remaining tablespoons of oil on a large nonstick pan add spiced tempeh and cook for 6-7 minutes stirring frequently until the tempeh turns a darker color.
- Remove from heat and transfer the tempeh slices to a plate lined with a paper towel, to absorb any excess oil. Set aside to cool slightly
Notes
- Slice the tempeh ¼" thick so it becomes crispy
- Make sure it’s evenly coated with oil and spices
- Let it cool for just a few minutes before serving. The tempeh firms up even more as it cools, giving it that satisfying crunch!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 6
- Category: Side
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 slices
- Calories: 102
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 101
- Fat: 6.5
- Saturated Fat: .9
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 4.4
- Fiber: 3.1
- Protein: 7.1
- Cholesterol: 0
Leave a Reply