Tempeh Bacon Recipe
Looking for a vegetarian recipe that can satisfy your bacon craving? Try this vegan tempeh bacon! It’s crispy, smokey, and delicious!
This vegan tempeh bacon is smoky, savory, and full of umami flavor. Tempeh is loaded with protein, and it’s delicious in so many recipes! I use this basic recipe when using tempeh in a taco, piled onto a sandwich, or crumbled into a salad.
What is tempeh?
If you haven’t tried tempeh before, it’s a soy-based food made from fermented soybeans, similar to tofu. It’s usually sold in the refrigerated part of the natural foods section, near the tofu. It doesn’t have a strong taste on its own, but it’s fabulous at absorbing flavors. With a little marinating, we can transform tempeh into a deliciously umami-packed protein.
Does tempeh taste like tofu?
I think the texture of tempeh is much better than tofu, and it’s easier to work with because there is no draining or pressing required. If you’re looking for a good source of plant-based protein, but you’re not a fan of tofu, give tempeh a chance. 3oz of tempeh contains 16g of protein and just 140 calories.
Ingredients for Making Tempeh Bacon
- Tempeh- Tempeh is made from soybeans and it’s typically sold in the refrigerated section of the grocery store near the tofu.
- Soy sauce- I recommend low-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos, so that you can control the saltiness of the tempeh.
- Maple syrup- A hint of sweetness helps create that bacon flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce– Be sure you get vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, as traditional versions contain anchovies. I like Annie’s Worcestershire sauce.
- Oil– You can use any neutral oil like avocado oil or olive oil.
Where to Buy Tempeh
You can usually find tempeh in the refrigerated area of the natural foods section of your grocery store, near the tofu. Lightlife is one of the most popular brands, and it’s one of my favorites. But you can also find tempeh at Trader Joe’s or smaller, local brands depending on your area.
Types of Tempeh
You may notice a few different types of tempeh. Regular tempeh is made from soybeans and a healthy kind of mold. (Since tempeh is a fermented food, technically, it’s made with mold.) You can also find tempeh that might be mixed with grains or flax seeds.
Is Tempeh Gluten-Free?
Plain tempeh is naturally gluten-free, but some brands may add grains. It’s always a good idea to check the package and ingredients list for allergens or potential cross-contamination information.
How Do You Prepare Tempeh?
The trick to delicious tempeh? Marinate it! Tempeh absorbs flavors well, but it can take some time. Let it marinate overnight, if possible. If you don’t have time to let it marinate, you can steam it first, to help open up the tempeh to absorb the flavors better.
How to Make Tempeh Bacon Liquid Smoke
If you really want to add a smoky flavor to this tempeh, you can use liquid smoke. Liquid smoke might sound weird, but it’s made from a concentration of smoke from wood. Chips or sawdust from hardwoods like Hickory are burned at a high heat, and particles of the smoke are collected in condensers. Some people don’t like to use it, so I’ve tweaked the recipe so it’s no longer needed. But when I first posted this recipe in 2015, I did include 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke. It’s up to you!
What is Worcestershire Sauce?
Worcestershire sauce is a fermented seasoning with a unique and complex flavor. The sauce is usually made from vinegar, molasses, anchovies, tamarind, garlic, onions, and various spices. Traditional Worcestershire is not vegetarian, as it contains anchovies. So be sure to get a vegan-friendly version like Annie’s Worcestershire sauce. This sauce has a tangy, savory taste with hints of sweetness and umami, which helps create a savory flavor for this vegan bacon.
More Ways to Use Tempeh
Try my tempeh lettuce wraps for a protein-packed meal or give this sweet and sour tempeh a try for a different twist! These recipes are a great way to add more plant-based protein to your routine.
PrintVegan Tempeh Bacon
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Marinade Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14 pieces 1x
- Category: Breakfast or Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Looking for a vegetarian recipe that can satisfy your bacon craving? Try this vegan tempeh bacon! It’s savory and delicious!
Ingredients
- 1 8oz package tempeh
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or liquid aminos
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil (or another neutral cooking oil)
Instructions
- Slice tempeh into thin strips. You want to slice them as thinly as possible.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Place the tempeh (in a single layer, or double layer, if possible) and gently tilt the dish until all the tempeh has been covered with the marinade.
- Marinade for at least 15 minutes or overnight.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and spread the tempeh in a single layer.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes over medium heat and let it brown before flipping to the other side.
- Cook on the other side for another 3-5 minutes until brown on both sides.
Notes
This recipe works best if you can marinate the tempeh for at least an hour. Just place it in the fridge in an airtight container while it absorbs the sauce. But I frequently make this recipe without letting it marinate for more than a few minutes because I don’t always plan ahead!
This post was originally published in January 2015. Updated June 2023.
i’ve spent a large portion of tonight going through your recipes and trying to plan a friday night dinner. jon and i aren’t vegetarian, but it seems like more and more of our friends are — and when we have dinner dates, well, things like this vegan bacon recipe are super handy!! this should make jon and all the vegetarians equally happy 🙂
Hah! I love it! I hope you find some good dinner party ideas 🙂
I’m actually not a fan of real bacon, but the texture of the non crispy parts make me queasy. I’m the same way with all meat actually. But turkey bacon? Perfection.
Haha back when I ate meat, I definitely preferred turkey bacon for the same reason!
I absolutely adore the smell of bacon but just cannot stand the texture of it, or most meats actually. I hate that feeling of having to chew and chew and chew to get something down that I get when I’ve tried bacon in the past so I tend to stick to veggies and other sources of protein.
I’m the exact same way! I never liked the texture!
I’ve never really messed with the meat substitute products. I kind of feel like if I really want something, I should just eat the real thing. Then again, I used to be a member of the bacon of the month club so I might be a biased vegetarian. 🙂
The class sounds awesome.
It’s funny how many [US?] vegetarians say they missed bacon. I don’t at all and also can’t say I liked the smell of it cooking but that’s most definitely a country-specific issue. Either way, I tried the tempeh bacon from Kristy Turner’s new book when testing for her and even my non-vegetarian family enjoyed it. Probably more than me 🙂 .
Tempeh bacon is SO good! I love, love, love using it for TLTs!
Oh yes, I love tempeh bacon!! It’s the only kind I eat. 😉
And that class sounds like it was so much fun. I would love to do something like that!
This is the only “facon” I will happily partake in. Tempeh is a staple in my fridge, and I usually eat it plain (I know, I’m weird) but I LOVE getting it jazzed up like this when I go out. Thank you for sharing!
Haha I don’t know if I could eat it plain but I love it in stir fries!
Like others I’ve tried Morning Star’s “bacon” and I actually love it. It’s really easy to microwave in the morning when I’m on the go. My mom is a vegetarian, so I’ll def share this recipe with her.
Ohh I’ve never tried Morning Star’s but I believe theirs would be good. I LOVE their veggie burgers!
Mm, this looks delicious! I’ve never had tempeh but am interested in trying it. As for bacon….love it 😛