12 Best Tempeh Recipes

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Assortment of photos of tempeh recipes

Tempeh is a great way to add plant-based protein to any meal. We’ve rounded up our most FLAVORFUL tempeh recipes including sides, mains, and delicious appetizers. Scroll through to learn about tempeh and find some new ways to use it!

(Note: Dietary symbols listed throughout for easy navigation!)

What is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a fermented soy product that originated in Central or East Java, Indonesia, sometime around 1800 (source). It’s made of cooked, dehulled soybeans that are inoculated with mold, packed, and incubated until the beans are bound together by the mycelium (mold).

Sounds like weird science, but this fermentation process makes nutrients more available to your body. Plus, tempeh is rich in prebiotics, which are known to promote gut health. It also boasts a whole range of other health benefits, including its iron and calcium content (source).

Is Tempeh Gluten-Free?

Tempeh is made from soybeans and soybeans are gluten-free. But not all tempeh is gluten-free! So what’s the deal?

In addition to soybeans, tempeh can be made from other beans, wheat, or a combination of beans and grains. If the tempeh contains barley, wheat, or rye, it is not gluten-free.

Tempeh Recipes

Spicy Tempeh Breakfast Sausages garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary
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Spicy Tempeh Breakfast Sausage
Spicy vegan breakfast sausage made with protein-rich tempeh. Smoky, savory, and flavorful, and just 1 bowl required! A delicious, plant-based sausage alternative.
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Strips of crispy vegan tempeh bacon on a baking sheet
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Easy Tempeh Bacon
Quick, crispy tempeh bacon with maximum flavor thanks to tamari, maple syrup, liquid smoke, and black pepper. Just 8 ingredients required!
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Close up shot of a vegan tempeh and hummus sandwich with fresh vegetables
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Chipotle Hummus Sandwich with Smoky Tempeh Bacon
A quick and easy sandwich with spicy chipotle hummus, smoky tempeh bacon, and fresh veggies. Plant-based, fiber- and protein-packed, and just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes required!
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BBQ tempeh sandwich resting on a cutting board
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BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches with Sweet & Spicy Slaw
Smoky, saucy BBQ tempeh sandwiches with creamy sriracha slaw! A hearty, 30-minute plant-based meal with just 10 ingredients required!
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Gold fork in a Smoky Tempeh Burrito Bowl topped with fresh cilantro
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Smoky Tempeh Burrito Bowls
Protein-packed tempeh in a smoky red chipotle sauce over brown rice, black beans, and veggies! A hearty, 9-ingredient plant-based meal!
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peanut tempeh SQUARE
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Marinated Peanut Tempeh (7 Ingredients!)
Saucy, baked tempeh marinated in a spicy-sweet peanut sauce! Super flavorful, hearty, and perfect for topping noodles, salads, and more! Vegan + gluten-free.
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Big bowl of our Blissed Out Thai Salad with tofu
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Blissed-Out Thai Salad with Peanut Tempeh
30-minute Thai- and Indonesian-inspired salad with rainbow veggies, noodles, and marinated peanut tempeh! Dress with peanut sauce for a flavorful, nourishing, plant-based meal!
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Tray of Vegan Tempeh Satay skewers alongside lime wedges, cilantro, and peanut sauce
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Peanut & Lemongrass Tempeh Satay
Incredibly flavorful Thai- and Indonesian-inspired tempeh satay infused with lemongrass, turmeric, peanut butter, and coconut aminos for a hearty, rich depth of flavor. Enjoy over rice, on salads, in wraps, or as an appetizer!
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Plate and skillet of Tempeh Veggie Stir Fry with chili sauce and fresh limes
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30-Minute Tempeh Stir-Fry
A hearty tempeh stir fry with BIG flavor! Just 30 minutes to prepare this weeknight dinner to use up leftover vegetables and please a crowd!
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Wooden spoon in a pan of Vegan Tempeh Bolognese topped with fresh parsley leaves
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1-Pan Tempeh Bolognese
Hearty, saucy 1-pan tempeh bolognese! Easy to make, ready in just 30 minutes, and perfect for pasta, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, and more!
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Baking dish of Easy Vegan Lasagna topped with chopped parsley
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Easy Vegan Lasagna
Incredibly flavorful, hearty vegan lasagna made with 10 ingredients! Tender lasagna noodles are layered with Macadamia Nut Ricotta and tempeh-infused marinara sauce! Swoon.
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Plate of spaghetti noodles topped with marinara and Tempeh Meatballs
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Simple Vegan Meatballs
10-ingredient vegan meatballs with tons of flavor and simple preparation. Perfect atop pasta or on their own in your favorite marinara sauce.
Make The Recipe

If you try these tempeh recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

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  1. Dianna Van Vorst says

    Easy Tempeh Bacon didn’t turn out crispy for me. I was afraid of overcoming and/or drying it out. It was delicious anyway but should I have cooked it longer? Also, will it hurt to cook it longer after it has cooled? Thanks for all these great recipes!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Hi Dianna, we’re sorry it didn’t turn out crispy! It would be okay to put it back in the oven for longer even if it has cooled. Slicing it more thinly and cooking longer would be our recommendations for next time. Hope that helps!

  2. Susan says

    You rock and I am grateful for your creative and delicious recipes. This too looks amazing – although I do not eat soy.
    I’m wondering if the soy can be replaced by chickpeas (smashed)?
    I know there are many of us who don’t eat soy so if you could offer soy alternatives with your soy based recipes, I think that would help tremendously!
    Thank you – you are doing great work!

    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      Aw, thank you for your support and feedback, Susan! Are you referring to the Italian Sausage Crumbles? We do think chickpeas (or lentils) would be nice. Let us know if you try it!