How to make Tempeh Bacon
Let’s cut to the chase - bacon is awesome. It’s salty, smokey, crispy and delicious. You love bacon. I love bacon. But….. maybe you went plant-based and need a whole food plant-based swap. I got you covered - follow here to see how to make tempeh bacon.
This is great in a sandwich with some lettuce and tomato - that’s right - a TLT. But it’s wonderful for breakfast as well along side a Tofu Scramble or some Fluffy Pancakes. I’ve also been known to use these in grain bowls or on salads as well. It’s a crazy versatile staple that we make weekly in our house.
Tempeh can have a bit of a nutty vibe to it, so some people prefer to steam if for ten minutes or so first, but I really like it as-is. You do whatever you prefer! Below I've listed multiple ways that you can cook this. I prefer using an Air-Fryer, but you can do it on a pan on the stove or in an oven as well. Whatever you've got and works for you!
This is a great and healthy protein booster to any meal. So now that you know how to make tempeh bacon you can stop those healthy cravings and smash some healthy into your face!
Gone plant-based and miss bacon? Here’s my recipe for how to make tempeh bacon. So many uses from breakfast to sandwiches to salads and bowls!
- 1 Package Plain Tempeh (sliced into 16 strips)
- 1 cup Low Sodium Vegetable Broth
- 1/4 cup Tamari (or soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 1/2 tbsp Liquid Smoke
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 4 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1 dash Hot Sauce (optional)
Combine everything into a small pan and bring to a boil, simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Add the tempeh into the pot and let it simmer another 30 seconds.
Transfer everything to a glass container and try your best to cover all the tempeh with the liquid. Place in fridge and leave for 4-8 hours or longer. Give it a stir or flip it over halfway through to make sure it’s all getting in there to soak up that delicious liquid!
Heat oven to 425 F or air fryer to 400 F and remove tempeh and place on a lined baking sheet or inside your air fryer. You could also heat up a frying pan.
Whatever method cook for 5 minutes, then check and flip and cook another 5 minutes. Keep an eye on it though in case it starts to blacken too much.
Use it however you’re using it - just make sure to smash it into your face.
Servings 16
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 20kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 0.5g1%
- Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
- Sodium 277mg12%
- Potassium 19mg1%
- Total Carbohydrate 2.4g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.5g2%
- Sugars 0.9g
- Protein 1.6g4%
- Calcium 1 mg
- Iron 2 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Feel free to use tofu instead of tempeh, just press it first to remove the excess liquid.
I like cutting it into strips for this, but you can cut into whatever shapes you’d like!
The marinade can be saved in the fridge and used again multiple times.
Stores well in the fridge.
