When my family gets together, I always make buffalo tempeh. Sundays at our house are football, football, and more football during the fall and winter. On Championship Sunday, the pressure for "football" food rushes in. The kids beg for buffalo "something," so instead of Buffalo Cauliflower which I make often, I opted for my buffalo tempeh recipe instead.
Although I enjoy cooking on Sundays, football brings the kids home to eat and watch football. Since the entire family has adopted a plant-based diet, food preparation has become much more fun and experimental. The kids come home more often, because "mom cooks so good." And, they can't pass up an opportunity to eat vegan buffalo tempeh.
In fact, we all eat at home more than we ever did before, because homemade food is better than what we get at a restaurant, or at least more healthy. I don't know if that is a blessing, or not, but I love to cook, so I guess its a bonus.
THE SECRET TO MAKING BUFFALO TEMPEH
First, you need to know my best kept little secret! Tempeh, for instance, is naturally bitter and a bit tough. As a result, tempeh does not absorb the marinade and take on its flavor without boiling it first.
Yes, that’s what I said. Boiling tempeh, for a short 10 minutes, takes away the bitter and then absorbs marinades like a sponge.
First, remove the tempeh from the package, and cut it in half, making two equal-sized squares. Then, place the tempeh pieces in a pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook 10 minutes, and then remove the tempeh from the boiling water.
- It softens the tempeh to make it easier to eat and enjoy
- And, boiling allows for better absorption of flavors as well as marinating (when marinating for other recipes)
I marinate my tempeh beforehand, so it absorbs the flavors of the sauce I plan to use. Regardless of the sauce, marinating is a must. This time, I chose my favorite vegan buffalo sauce, but for this recipe, you don't need to marinate. Instead, the buffalo sauce is added later.
HOW TO MAKE BUFFALO TEMPEH STRIPS
Once the tempeh is boiled and cooled, it is time for dipping in 3 different bowls:
FLOUR MIXTURE:
- ⅓ cup Flour of Choice (choose gluten-free flour if you are following a gluten-free diet).
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
BREAD CRUMB MIXTURE:
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
PLANT MILK
- ½ cup Unsweetened Plant Milk ( I used Almond Milk)
Then, simply dip and dredge.
- Place each strip in plant milk.
- Next, coat in flour mixture, then briefly re-dip into milk.
- Toss with Panko crumbs/nutritional yeast; coating well while pressing into the tempeh.
- Set each strip on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining tempeh strips.
- Once all are coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes; flip “strips” over and bake an additional 10 minutes.
When the buffalo tempeh is done baking, slather with your favorite vegan buffalo sauce, and cook for 5 more minutes!
GARNISH, DIPPING, AND VEGGIES AND OTHER SUGGESTION
Since I'm serving buffalo tempeh strips as an appetizer, I served with celery, carrots, and vegan blue cheese. But you can also use buffalo tempeh recipe for a buffalo tempeh sandwich, or a great topping for a salad.
Or, if you aren't a Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing fan, try Vegan Ranch Dressing instead.
Regardless of who you want to win the Championship, make some healthy, vegan eats to bring your family together. Whoever goes on to play in the Super Bowl, there is a way to celebrate while eating healthy. You don't need to sacrifice taste! Check out my Vegan Buffalo Tempeh Recipe!
FAQs
FUN VEGAN FOODS THE WHOLE FAMILY WILL ENJOY!
- Vegan Tangy Crockpot Meatless Meatballs
- 20 Great Vegan Recipes for Memorial Day
- Chili Cheese Dip
- Skinny AF Loaded Chili Fries
- Tater Tot Nachos
- Vegan Chex Mix
- Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe
- Dill and Lemon Zest Popcorn
- Sweet Potato Chips
- Sweet Potato Tacos
Buffalo Tempeh
Equipment
Ingredients
Tempeh Strips:
- 16 ounces Tempeh cut into thick strips
- 4 cups Water
Flour Mixture:
- ⅓ cup Flour of Choice choose gluten-free flour if you are following a gluten-free diet.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Ground Pepper
Bread Crumb Mixture:
- ½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
Plant Milk
- ½ cup Unsweetened Plant Milk I used Almond Milk
Buffalo Sauce:
- ½ cup Vegan Buffalo Sauce
Vegan Blue Cheese Dressing/Dip
Instructions
- Prepare Tempeh:Preheat oven to 400.
- Bring 4 cups of water to boil over high heat.
- Remove tempeh from packages and slice into 15-20 strips.
- When water is boiling, lower heat to medium-high and add tempeh.
- Boil for 15 minutes.
- Immediately drain and rinse with cool water
- NOTE: Be gentle so not to break the tempeh strips
While Tempeh is Cooking, Make Vegan "Bleu Cheese" Sauce:
- Press tofu until 1 to ½ inch thick.
- Use only half the tofu block; store the rest to use for another recipe.
- Crumble tofu in a bowl and set aside.
- Combine the other ingredients in a 1 cup or larger blender cup: Vegenaise or Silken tofu, Garlic, Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice, White Miso, Apple Cider Vinegar and Tahini
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour mixture over crumbled tofu and add chopped parsley.
- Stir.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Prepare 3 Bowls for Dredging/Coating:
- Set out 3 bowls: one with plant milk, one with flour and seasonings, and the third with panko crumbs with nutritional yeast.
- Place each strip in plant milk.
- Next, coat in flour mixture, then briefly re-dip into milk.
- Toss with Panko crumbs/nutritional yeast; coating well while pressing into the tempeh.
- Set each strip on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Repeat process with remaining tempeh strips.
- Once all are coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 10 minutes; flip “strips” over and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Coat with Buffalo Sauce:Using a spoon or a brush, cover cooked tempeh strips with buffalo sauce.
- Place back in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Remove.
- Serve: Serve on a platter with carrot and celery sticks.
Notes
FAQs
Nutrition
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
Anonymous
Marcia Wolfe
I am confused as to when to marinate? After boiling or after dredging in the flour mixture?
Kathy Carmichael
I'm sorry Marcia, that is my fault. You don't marinate for this particular recipe. I was trying to explain why you boil the tempeh. The buffalo sauce is added later. I apologize for the miscommunication. When you boil tempeh for other recipes, you want to marinate it overnight if possible before grilling for BBQ tempeh for instance. Thank you for pointing out the miscommunication. I appreciate it. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Rachael Neusch
Do I cut it into 15-20 strips before or after I boil? You say to do it before in the recipe and don't mention cutting it in the description.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Rachel, you can boil the tempeh whole or cut it into pieces before you boil it. You want to make sure to boil it to get the bitter taste out, but it doesn't matter when. I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Rachel
Hi why is boiling required?
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Rachel, boiling the tempeh first removes its naturally bitter taste and makes it porous to absorb the marinade.