This delicious BBQ tempeh cooks in just 10 minutes for a quick and easy meal that is healthy and satisfying. Try it in a sandwich — or pair it with your favorite side dishes for a hearty plant-based meal!

BBQ Tempeh
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I love tempeh and I’ve used it in salads and sandwiches for years. It’s a great source of plant-based protein and I love how easy it is to prepare! This BBQ tempeh might be the easiest of them all. You steam it for a few minutes, then cook it in BBQ sauce. That’s it! If I’m feeling really lazy, sometimes I skip the steaming step. (It does help remove a little of the bitter flavor, but it’s an optional step if you’re in a hurry.)

This makes a great dish with your favorite sides like macaroni salad and sweet potato fries, but you can also place it on a bun with coleslaw for a tasty, filling sandwich!

Ingredients & Subtiutions

This recipe is relatively simple since you only need tempeh and BBQ sauce. I typically buy Lightlife tempeh, but you can also find it at Trader Joe’s. It’s usually sold near the tofu in the refrigerated section. For BBQ sauce, you can use any kind you like. I used Sweet Baby Ray’s but you can also use a lower sugar BBQ sauce like the one from Primal Kitchen, if you prefer.

How to Make Barbecue Tempeh

Steam the tempeh in the microwave for 3 minutes.
Drain and transfer to a skillet.
Top with bbq sauce and stir until evenly coated.
Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until the tempeh is heated.

I used my new Caraway non-stick skillet and it worked so well! This was the larger size and it was big enough that I was able to easily cook the tempeh in a single layer. Even after the sauce cooled, it was really easy to clean thanks to the non-stick surface. I’ve been really happy with their pots and pans, so if you’re looking for some new cookware, definitely check them out!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does tempeh taste like? Tempeh has a fairly neutral taste, and it takes on flavors of sauces and marinades really well, making it very versatile.
  • What is tempeh made out of? Tempeh, like tofu, is made from fermented soybeans. 
  • How do you cook raw tempeh? You can cook it on the stovetop, in the air fryer, or in the oven.
  • How do you make tempeh taste less sour? Steaming tempeh can remove any bitter or sour flavor. 
  • What are some other ways to prepare tempeh? I love it in a stir-fry or in a salad. It’s surprisingly versatile!
  • Is tempeh healthy? Yes! It’s a great source of plant-based protein.
  • Is tempeh expensive? Compared to other sources of protein, it’s very affordable. You can usually get a pack of tempeh for $3-$4.
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BBQ Tempeh (

BBQ Tempeh

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  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 2
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This delicious BBQ tempeh cooks in just 10 minutes for a quick and easy meal that is healthy and satisfying. Try it in a sandwich — or pair it with your favorite side dishes for a hearty plant-based meal!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8oz tempeh
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  1. Place the tempeh in a microwave safe bowl with ¼ cup of water.
  2. Microwave for 3 minutes to steam the tempeh and remove any bitter flavor.
  3. Drain any remaining water, then transfer the tempeh to a skillet.
  4. Cover with barbecue sauce and carefully stir to coat.

  5. Cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Flip the tempeh and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes until the tempeh is warm.