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    Home » Recipes » All recipes

    Easy BBQ tempeh (beginner friendly)

    Published: Jun 24, 2020 · Modified: May 3, 2023 by Maria · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    BBQ tempeh strips on a plaate

    This bbq tempeh is a delicious and easy way to get started cooking tempeh. All you need is some bbq sauce, a pan and some oil. The hearty texture of tempeh is the perfect match with the sweet and smoky flavors of bbq sauce. This versatile plant-based protein goes great over a salad, in a grain bowl, or with a side of your favorite veggies.

    BBQ tempeh strips on a plate with collard greens
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    Jump to:
    • ☘️ What is tempeh?
    • 🍔 How to use
    • ❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe
    • 🥣 Ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳 Expert tips
    • 🔪 Directions
    • 🌮 Serving suggestions
    • ❄️ Storing & reheating
    • ❓ FAQ’s
    • 🥙 More recipes to try
    • 📖 Recipe

    Tempeh! What the hell is it and how the hell do you cook it? If you’ve ever wondered about this amazing vegan protein source, then let me show you how to make tempeh insanely delicious.

    ☘️ What is tempeh?

    Tempeh is a fermented soy product that is made when whole soybeans have been boiled, fermented and then pressed into a cake. It’s is a lot less processed than tofu, since it uses whole soy beans. Here’s an interesting article on how Tempeh is made.

    Tempeh is really high in protein; about 18 grams per serving. It’s also high in antioxidants, minerals and fiber.

    It originated from Indonesia and it’s still the most popular soy food there. Tempeh is often called “poor man’s meat” in Indonesia because it’s much more affordable than meat. Who ever said being vegan was expensive?!!

    🍔 How to use

    There are many different ways to cook tempeh. You can use it any way that you would meat. It’s chewy and has a nice, mild, nutty flavor.

    You can make tempeh tacos, burgers, tempeh bacon, meatballs and also use it for ground beef substitute in lasagna or pasta recipes.

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    This recipe is going to show you you two ways of making tempeh: sautéd tempeh with bbq sauce.

    Block of bbq tempeh on a plate with salad.

    ❤️ Why you’ll love this recipe

    This simple recipe to meal prep at the beginning of the week. Then you have a healthy, high protein option ready to go.

    Are you a busy vegan? Click here to download my FREE Guide "Effortless Vegan Cooking: Time and Money Saving Hacks You Need to Know"!

    Made with minimal and basic ingredients, only two, to be exact!

    It’s a fun and easy way to get started cooking tempeh. The classic bbq flavor tastes familiar, so it makes the tempeh seem familiar, even if you have never eaten it before.

    🥣 Ingredients

    I love that this is made with only three simple ingredients:

    • Tempeh: a fermented soy product that’s high in protein and fiber. Be sure to simmer it in vegetable broth for 10-15 minutes to infuse flavor and prevent bitterness.
    • BBQ Sauce: store-bought BBQ sauce works great for this recipe. Sweet Baby Ray’s is accidentally vegan.
    • Oil – this helps it to crisp up and get nice and golden brown.

    👩‍🍳 Expert tips

    • Before you cook tempeh, simmer it in vegetable broth for about 10-15 minutes. You can also steam it in a steamer basket. This will make sure then tempeh isn’t bitter or dry when you cook it. Simmering it in some sort of flavored liquid infuses it from the inside out with flavor. It becomes tender, flavorful and delicious.
    • Don’t overcrowd the pan when sautéing the tempeh to ensure even cooking.
    • The BBQ sauce can burn quickly, so keep an eye on it and add water if needed.
    • Sometimes tempeh has grey or black lines running through it. That’s totally normal and is just part of the fermentation process.

    🔪 Directions

    Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions!

    Block of tempeh cut into strips on a wooden cutting board.
    Cut the brick of tempeh width-wise into strips.
    Block of tempeh strips being cut in half on a cutting board.
    Then make them a little thinner, but turning each tempeh strip on its sides and cutting them in half. This makes it so more of the tempeh gets covered in bbq sauce.
    Tempeh strips being steamed in a steamer basket.
    Tempeh always has a bitter taste, so it’s best to steam it, or simmer it in vegetable broth for 10-15 minutes to get rid of that bitterness and make it more tender.
    Tempeh strips being pan fried.
    Heat up a skillet or large pan with some olive oil or avocado oil on medium heat. Add in the strips and let them sauté until golden brown.
    Tempeh strips in a pan with bbq sauce.

    Add in the BBQ sauce and a splash of water. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.

    🌮 Serving suggestions

    This goes really well if you serve it just like vegan ribs. Serve with a simple and delicious vegan potato salad or a grilled veggie pasta salad. Make bbq tempeh bowls with perfect baked potatoes, green beans, collard greens or sweet potato.

    Serve this on a toasted bun with some onions, lettuce, tomato and vegan mayo for a delicious bbq tempeh sandwich.

    Serve this over crisp romaine lettuce, with grilled corn kernels, red onion and a vegan cashew ranch dressing for a healthy bbq ranch salad.

    ❄️ Storing & reheating

    This lasts in the fridge in an airtight container for up to five days and tastes even better the next day.

    It can also be frozen for up to three months in a freezer friendly container.

    Reheat in an air fryer, oven or on the stove.

    ❓ FAQ’s

    Can you freeze tempeh?

    Tempeh does really well in the freezer and can last up to 10 months. Keep it in its package and keep really well, since the packages are usually air sealed. This is a great option if you see it for sale and you can buy a lot of packages and store them in the freezer until you’re ready to cook.

    How long does cooked tempeh last?

    It is best to eat it within 2-3 days of cooking it, but it can last up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

    Do you need to boil tempeh before frying?

    I recommend that you simmer it in some vegetable broth for 10-15 minutes to help get rid of the bitter flavor. You can also steam it. Then go ahead and pan fry it and it will be even more tender and delicious.

    🥙 More recipes to try

    • Smoky tempeh on a piece of bread
      Smoky tempeh bacon
    • Close up of tempeh nashville hot sandwich on a burger bun with pickles
      Nashville hot tempeh sandwich
    • Delicious, easy, vegan tempeh reuben
    • Tempeh taco on a plate topped with lettuce, salsa and dairy free sour cream.
      Tempeh tacos

    If you loved this recipe, leave a 5 ⭐️ rating on the recipe card and comment below!

    📖 Recipe

    BBQ tempeh strips on a plate with collard greens and potatoes.

    Easy bbq tempeh

    The easiest way to prepare tempeh. How to make bbq tempeh.
    3.84 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Asian, Indonesian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Maria
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    US Customary or Metric
    • 1 package tempeh
    • 1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • ½ cup BBQ sauce (or marinade of choice)

    Instructions

    • Take the tempeh out of the package. An easy way is to cut the tempeh in half, then slide the two pieces out. Cut the tempeh into strips, widthwise, or into cubes. See the blog post with photos on how to cut the tempeh.
      1 package tempeh
    • Simmer the tempeh in a steamer basket, or in a bit of vegetable broth for 15-20 minutes. Don't skip this part, since steaming helps get rid of its bitter taste.
    • Add the oil to a skillet and heat on medium heat for one minute. Add the tempeh and let it pan fry for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes crispy and golden brown.
      1 tablespoon avocado oil
    • Push the tempeh strips to the side and add the BBQ sauce and a splash of water. Stir with a rubber spatula until the bbq sauce starts to heat up. Stir the tempeh strips in the sauce and let it thicken for 2 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Add more bbq sauce if you like it more saucy.
      ½ cup BBQ sauce
    • To grill the tempeh, heat a grill on medium heat. Once the grill is hot, add the tempeh strips. Cook on each side for about 5 minutes. Brush with bbq sauce and add more BBQ sauce or marinade if it starts to dry out.

    Notes

    Steaming or simmering the tempeh in vegetable broth helps to get rid of tempeh’s bitter taste. 
    Tempeh can be stored in the fridge for up to a week. 
    Some other good marinades to use on tempeh are bottled beef marinades. Most of them are accidentally vegan. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1751mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 774IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @DamnTastyVegan or tag #DamnTastyVegan!

    The nutritional information on this website is only an estimate and is provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. It should not be used as a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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    About Maria

    Maria is the creator of the blog and YouTube channel Damn Tasty Vegan. She has been a vegetarian since 2005 and vegan since 2015. She loves showing new vegans how easy and delicious living a vegan lifestyle can be. She is passionate about animal welfare and strives to help change the way animals are viewed and treated, by helping people transition to a vegan lifestyle.

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