10 Easy Ways to Cook With Tempeh

Tempeh is an ingredient that not many people are familiar with, but it is an amazing meatless protein option! If you have never cooked with it, but would love to incorporate something new and healthy into your diet, this is a great choice!

Here are some great, easy ways to cook with tempeh!

Tempeh Taco Meat

One of the most popular uses of tempeh is in a crumbled form of taco “meat!” All you have to do is break up a block of tempeh and sauté it in a pan over a low heat! After doing this, combine spices such as paprika and cumin to the tempeh in order to get the most flavorful “meat” and that is basically all it takes! You can easily make this dish without following a recipe, but here is an incredibly simple one you can follow! 

Tempeh Bacon

Another easy way to cook with tempeh is by slicing into thin slices for a healthier alternative to bacon! In doing this, just thinly slice a block of tempeh, cook it in a pan with olive oil and simple spices (I highly recommend just salt and pepper), and cook until it becomes a perfectly crispy texture. In case you need an exact recipe to follow with clear instructions, here is one to work with! 

Baked Barbecue Tempeh Strips

This is another easy way to prepare tempeh that gives the illusion of a southern comfort food, ribs! Something about the texture of tempeh when it is baked in the oven, with the combination of spices and barbecue sauce, will likely have all of your friends fooled into thinking they are eating a meal made with real meat! If you are wanting to create a tempeh dish that is incredibly juicy and flavorful, you should definitely try out this recipe! 

Lemon Garlic Tempeh

This lemon garlic tempeh dish is absolutely DELICIOUS! Not only is this a simple way to cook with tempeh, but the flavor profile of the dish is heavenly! Combine thinly sliced tempeh with lemon juice, coconut oil, and a few spices and cook in a large skillet! Once your tempeh is cooked to the perfect consistency, dress it with a simple lemon garlic sauce, and you are good to go! Once your tempeh is prepared, you can throw it onto some steamed kale or add to a tortilla for a wrap; the opportunities are endless! Here is a recipe to follow to make this even easier! 

Vegan Buffalo Tempeh

Buffalo chicken wings are such a popular dish, why not try them out with a whole new ingredient? By combining tempeh, breadcrumbs, and buffalo sauce, you easily have a deliciously healthy dish that’s perfect for a party appetizer or just a satisfying afternoon snack! Whether you are following a vegan diet or just ready to work with more meatless ingredients, give this recipe a try for some amazing vegan buffalo tempeh “wings!” 

Tempeh Crab-Free Crab Cakes

This is a way to cook with tempeh that is definitely going outside the box. These are very easy to make, but they definitely require a bit of time in the kitchen, so be prepared if this is a dish that you are interested in preparing (however, I can say that they are well worth the time taken to prepare them once you get to taste the end result).  This being said, just combine the list of ingredients in this recipe and fry your tempeh, and you have a delicious new protein-rich dish that is equally as satisfying as it is delicious!  

Teriyaki Tempeh

Preparing tempeh with teriyaki sauce and serving over rice is one of my absolutely favorite (and easiest) ways to make it! Tempeh can sometimes have a bit of a dry texture, so combining it with teriyaki and soy sauce makes for the perfectly juicy and delicious dish! If you are cooking with tempeh for the first time and don’t know which recipe to start with, definitely give this one a try and you’ll be converted into a tempeh-lover for life (and so will whoever you serve this dish to)!

See Also

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Tempeh Burgers

Tempeh burgers are an incredibly easy dish to prepare that will win over even the biggest burger lovers! The texture of tempeh provides the perfect consistency to be cooked in the form of a patty on a grill without the fear that it is just going to fall apart! If you are trying to use tempeh in a way that DEFINITELY gives the illusion of a real-meat dish, this tempeh burger recipe is an incredible option.

Tempeh Mushroom Holiday Loaf

While this recipe is called a “holiday loaf,” it is an incredibly tasty and easy way to cook with tempeh all throughout the year. If you are someone who grew up eating meatloaf and find yourself craving a healthier alternative to that classic dish, make this tempeh mushroom loaf! All you have to do is combine a tempeh with mushrooms and a few other ingredients, add in some spices of your choice, press it into a loaf pan, and throw it in the oven! This recipe could not possibly be any easier! Looking for southern comfort while cooking with tempeh? This is the recipe for you!

Tempeh Sheet Pan Nachos

This single sheet recipe is one of the easiest ways to prepare tempeh, and will only take you about 15 minutes! Just combine tortilla chips, grated/crumbled tempeh, taco seasoning (or any seasoning of your choice), and a few other fresh ingredients, throw onto a sheet pan, and bake it on a single sheet pan in the oven! Whether you are cooking for you and your friends, or just want an easy weekend recipe, this is an incredibly delicious and easy way to cook with tempeh!

Now that you have a great selection of easy ways to cook with tempeh, hopefully you are feeling inspired to give it a whirl! Are you planning to try any of these recipes? Let us know how your dishes turn out in the comments section down below!

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