I honestly don’t know how I haven’t shared how to make tempeh bacon before! I’m a huge fan of tempeh and tempeh bacon is a great recipe to start with if you’re intimidated by cooking tempeh at home.
Tempeh is such an easy protein option to keep in your fridge (it’s a fermented product so it lasts a long time) plus it’s a great source of fiber. If you’re following a plant-based diet or just want to try something new, I highly recommend trying tempeh.
Let’s start with the basics. Tempeh is a plant-based protein made of cooked soybeans that have been fermented. The fermentation process binds the soybeans into a cake/patty, which is what you’ll find at your local grocery store.
It’s similar to tofu, however there are some differences – tempeh is less processed, fermented, has a stronger flavor and a bit more texture. The flavor is usually described as nutty or earthy, but there are different varieties with subtle taste differences.
I’ve tried a ton of different tempeh varieties and Lightlife is definitely my favorite for a few reasons: it’s organic, GMO-free and easy to find at mainstream stores.
You don’t need a ton of ingredients to make tempeh bacon… just some pantry staple seasonings and liquid smoke.
How to Make Tempeh Bacon
Making tempeh bacon is so simple and way less messy than cooking pork bacon, which always leaves grease splattered everywhere.
- Cut tempeh – start by cutting the tempeh into 1/4 inch thick strips/slices.
- Make marinade – add tamari/soy sauce, oil, maple syrup, liquid smoke, paprika, garlic powder and pepper to a shallow dish. Whisk together with a fork.
- Marinate – add the tempeh slices to the marinade, cover and let marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
- Bake tempeh bacon – Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Arrange the marinated tempeh slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Pour any leftover marinade over the tempeh and bake for 15 minutes. Flip each tempeh piece and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the tempeh is crispy.
You can also sauté tempeh bacon in a pan, but I prefer to bake it because it gets crispier.
How to Use Tempeh Bacon
You can use this tempeh bacon in almost any recipe that calls for traditional bacon! It’s delicious on this vegan breakfast sandwich, would pair perfectly with these healthy sweet potato skins and works great on this vegan Cobb salad. Have fun experimenting!
Lightlife Smoky Tempeh Strips (aka “fakin bacon!)
FAQ
Do you have to cook LightLife Tempeh bacon?
How do you cook LightLife tempeh?
Is LightLife tempeh already cooked?
Does Tempeh bacon taste like bacon?
How do you cook tempeh Bacon in the oven?
Bake tempeh bacon – Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Arrange the marinated tempeh slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Pour any leftover marinade over the tempeh and bake for 15 minutes. Flip each tempeh piece and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until the tempeh is crispy.
How do you cook tempeh in the oven?
Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer tempeh (reserving excess marinade for brushing) to the parchment-lined baking sheet and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven, flip, and brush generously with reserved marinade.
How do you eat tempeh Bacon?
Another option: sear it in a skillet with a little olive oil, about 3 minutes per side. Serve tempeh bacon just like bacon: alongside scrambled eggs or tofu for breakfast, top an avocado toast, or make a vegetarian BLT. It’s also great tucked into breakfast burritos or chopped and sprinkled on a salad.
Can you cook tempeh bacon without oil?
Oil-free: You can make this recipe oil-free by subbing in 1 tbsp water for the oil. However, you will need to be a bit more careful about the marinade burning or sticking to your pan. Just keep a close eye on the tempeh bacon and lower the heat if it looks like it is darkening too fast.