How to Make Tempeh Bacon Crispy

 

Since transitioning to a plant-based diet, I love making tempeh bacon and using it for a variety of recipes. Although tempeh bacon is sold in stores, homemade tempeh bacon is oil-free and tastes better than store-bought. My tempeh bacon recipe combines maple and smokey flavors with the crunch of real bacon. But don't let that deter you! Vegan tempeh bacon tastes like vegan bacon; nothing like real bacon. As a result, the texture and taste of tempeh bacon are fabulous on a sandwich, on top of a salad, in a wrap, on as a side dish for that favorite vegan breakfast. 

What is tempeh? 

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from soybeans that have been fermented or broken down by microorganisms.

Following fermentation, the soybeans are pressed into a compact cake that is commonly consumed as a vegetarian source of protein.

In addition to soybeans, tempeh may also be made from other bean varieties, wheat, or a mixture of soybeans and wheat. 

Is tempeh healthy?

Tempeh is a fermented soy product that’s a popular vegetarian meat replacement.

However, vegetarian or not, it can be a nutritious addition to your diet.

High in protein, prebiotics, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals, tempeh is a versatile ingredient that comes with a variety of health benefits.

According to Healthline, tempeh boasts an impressive nutrient profile. It is high in protein, vitamins, and minerals but low in sodium and carbs.

A 3-ounce (84-gram) serving of tempeh contains these nutrients (2):

• Calories: 162
• Protein: 15 grams
• Carbs: 9 grams
• Total fat: 9 grams
• Sodium: 9 milligrams
• Iron: 12% of the RDI
• Calcium: 9% of the RDI
• Riboflavin: 18% of the RDI
• Niacin: 12% of the RDI
• Magnesium: 18% of the RDI
• Phosphorus: 21% of the RDI
• Manganese: 54% of the RDI

What does tempeh taste like? 

Tempeh has a dry and firm but chewy texture and a slightly nutty taste. It can be steamed, sautéed, or baked and is often marinated to add more flavor.

Much like other meatless sources of protein, such as tofu and seitan, tempeh is a popular choice among vegans and vegetarians because it’s packed with nutrients.

Tempeh bacon ingredients

• Tempeh (I use organic light life brand)
• Soy sauce or Tamari
• Maple syrup
• Sriracha
• Liquid smoke (I used hickory flavor)
• Black pepper

How to make tempeh bacon

One of the first mistakes people make when cooking tempeh is to they don't boil it first! Yes, boil it!

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 them with water. Bring to a boil, cook 10 minutes, and then remove the tempeh from the boiling water to cut into thin slices, like bacon, and marinate. 

Why boil tempeh?

• Boiling removes tempeh's naturally bitter taste.
• It softens the tempeh to make it easier to eat and enjoy
• And, boiling allows for better saturation of marinate

Once the tempeh is cut into thin strips, place it in the tempeh bacon marinade. 

Tips

• Marinate overnight for the best results; the longer the deeper the flavors. 
• Turn the covered container over throughout the marinating process to soak up the majority of the marinade.
• The more marinade the tempeh absorbs, the deeper the flavors

Tempeh bacon marinade

When marinating is done properly, only a small amount of marinade remains in the container. But don't throw that marinade away. Instead, keep it to add additional flavor after cooking. 

How to cook tempeh bacon?

For crispy tempeh bacon, I prefer the air fryer. But, the oven or a skillet offer other options. 

Air Fryer Cooking

• Spray water in the base of the air fryer
• Add the marinated strips of tempeh and reserve extra marinade
• Cook in batches in a single layer at 370 degrees for 7 minutes; flipping each strip after 3 minutes.
• Return cooked pieces into the container with the extra marinade. 
• Repeat until all the pieces are cooked

Baking 

• Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
• Place the strips of tempeh bacon in a single layer, leaving a little space between each strip
• Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until tempeh is browned
• Now, return cooked tempeh to the container with the extra marinade

Skillet

• In a large skillet, heat the pan to medium-low
• Place the tempeh strips in the pan, not overlapping each other. 
• As the bacon is cooked, flip the pieces over every 5-7 minutes, adding small amounts of the marinade into the pan as the bacon cooks and browns, until all the marinade is absorbed. 

Things to make with tempeh bacon

• Make a salad and add tempeh bacon strips or cut them up as bacon bits. 

• Or make a Vegan BLT
• Add to the top of a vegan pizza
• Put inside a vegan breakfast burrito
• Make a vegan quiche and include it in the tofu batter
• Serve on the side of a Southwest Tofu Scramble
• Crumble for bacon bits
• Mix into a baked potato for added bacony flavor

FAQ

How do I make tempeh taste like bacon?

• It's all about the marinade and the combination of smokey and maple flavors

What is a substitute for liquid smoke?

• 1 teaspoon liquids smoke is replaced with smoked paprika, adobo chile sauce, chipotle powder. For example,  teaspoon smoked paprika = ½ teaspoon liquid smoke.

How many calories are in tempeh bacon?

• 131 calories

How do I make tempeh bacon crispy? 

• Because I don't cook with oil, the best option for crispy tempeh bacon is cooking it in an air fryer.  

Other great recipes including tempeh bacon recipe

• Vegan Baked Potato
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Breakfast Casserole
• How to Make Chickpea Flour Omelette + Other Ingredient Combinations!
• Breakfast Burrito
• Vegetable Frittata
• Vegan Potato Skins
• Potato Salad
• Charred Corn Salad

Yield: 8 servings

Tempeh Bacon

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes 7 seconds

Total Time: 30 minutes 7 seconds

Crispy with maple and smokey goodness, this tempeh bacon recipe is perfect for breakfast, sandwiches, crumbled on salads, rolled up in a wrap with veggies. Use an air fryer, a skillet, or the oven to make perfect vegan bacon every time.

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Ingredients

Tempeh Bacon

• 2 8 ounce packages of tempeh (I use organic light life brand)
• 1/4 cup soy sauce or Tamari
• 2 Tablespoons Maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke (I used hickory flavor)
• 2 teaspoons black pepper

Instructions

1. Remove tempeh for the packages and cut each piece in half.
2. Place in a large saucepan and cover in water
3. Boil for 10 minutes
4. Drain water and set it aside to cool.
5. Set cooled tempeh on a cutting board and cut into identical thin strips like bacon.
6. In a refrigerator-safe container, whisk together the tempeh bacon marinade, and pour a small amount into the container's base.
7. Then, add the sliced tempeh pieces, pour more marinade over the top, and repeat until all the tempeh and marinade are in the container.
8. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
9. I always flip it over in the refrigerator every time I go in the refrigerator for anything.

Choose the cooking method

Air Fryer Cooking

1. Spray water in the base of the air fryer
2. Add the marinated strips of tempeh and reserve extra marinade
3. Cook in batches in a single layer at 370 degrees for 7 minutes; flipping each strip after 3 minutes.
4. Return cooked pieces into the container with the extra marinade. 
5. Repeat until all the pieces are cooked

Baking 

1. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
2. Place the strips of tempeh bacon in a single layer, leaving a little space between each strip
3. Cook at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until tempeh is browned
4. Now, return cooked tempeh to the container with the extra marinade

Skillet

1. In a large skillet, heat the pan to medium-low
2. Place the tempeh strips in the pan, not overlapping each other. 
3. As the bacon is cooked, flip the pieces over every 5-7 minutes, adding small amounts of the marinade into the pan as the bacon cooks and browns, until all the marinade is absorbed. 

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Colgin Liquid Smoke, Natural Hickory, 4-Ounce
• 
  San-J Organic Gluten Free Soy Sauce Tamari -- 10 fl oz - 2 pc
• 
  Silicone Baking Mats (Set of 4)

Nutrition Information

Yield

8 servings

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 131Total Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 391mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 12g

Nutrition facts may not be 100% accurate.

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