Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Shane Martin · This post may contain affiliate links.

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I love Tempeh Bacon! It’s sweet, savory, full of flavor and protein, and super easy to make. This vegan bacon is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or making a delicious vegan BLT.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (1)

Table of Contents

What Is Tempeh

Tempeh is fermented whole soybeans, packed with protein and it’s been around a long time. I know it doesn’t sound so exciting right now, but just wait until you try this tempeh bacon recipe.

Think of tempeh as the awkward second cousin of tofu. Tempeh is not very exciting or tasty on its own, but marinate it and there’s no stopping it. It’s a great and hearty meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans.

What Is Tempeh Bacon

It’s exactly how it sounds.

We take the tempeh, slice it, marinate, and cook it. Will it taste exactly like real bacon? No. How about the same texture as bacon? No. And, why? Because it’s not real bacon.

But, it will satisfy the senses and the urges you might have in a much healthier way. And, without the pork.

And, as an added bonus, this vegan bacon won’t clog your arteries and eventually kill you. #winning (I realize hashtags don’t work on websites)

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (2)

How To Make Tempeh Bacon

Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that the marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.

Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let the tempeh marinate in the fridge overnight.

Now, preheat oven to 350 degrees, line abaking sheetwithparchment paper, and layout tempeh ona baking sheet.

Place the tempeh in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place it back in the oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. The cooking time will depend on the oven.

Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven and serve immediately.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (3)

How To Cook Tempeh Bacon

You can bake or pan fry. But, obviously, I prefer baking it.

Baking it is less messy and requires no oil. Which is what I’m about here at Shane & Simple.

What To Serve With Vegan Bacon

  • Vegan Blueberry Pancakes
  • More vegan pancakes
  • Tofu Breakfast Scramble
  • Overnight Vegan French Toast Casserole

Also, try my Oil Free Oven Roasted Potatoes and Vegan Sausage recipe if you’d more vegan breakfast dishes.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (4)

I hope you enjoy this tempeh bacon recipe. It’s…

  • Sweet
  • Savory
  • Smoky
  • Easy to make
  • Loaded with protein
  • Full of flavor
  • & Delicious

Tempeh TIPS: The longer the bacon marinates the more flavor it will absorb from the marinade. Also, tempeh tends to be a little bitter right out of the package. You and soften that by steaming or boiling it for 10-15 minutes.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (5)


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Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (6)

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5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

4.9 from 9 reviews

This Tempeh Bacon is absolutely delicious and super easy to prepare. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, and delicious! Pile it high in sandwiches, on top of salads, or anywhere you’d normally put bacon.

  • Author: Shane Martin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Vegan
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Tempeh

  • 1 8-ounce package of tempeh

For The Marinade

  • ¼ cup Tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (make sure it’s vegetarian)
  • 2 tsp. smoked paprika or paprika
  • 1 tsp. liquid smoke (or preference)
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne

Instructions

  1. Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.
  2. Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let marinate in the fridge overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
  5. Layout tempeh on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place tempeh back in oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. Cooking time will depend on oven.
  6. Serve.

Notes

Tempeh can have a somewhat “bitter” flavor to it, which I like. But, if you want a milder tempeh you can simply boil or steam it for about 10-15 minutes. Mellows it out.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 strips
  • Calories: 93
  • Sugar: 4.8 g
  • Sodium: 294.7 mg
  • Fat: 2.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11.3 g
  • Fiber: 3.5 g
  • Protein: 8.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon Recipe (Vegan) | Shane & Simple (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in LightLife tempeh smoky bacon? ›

Ingredients: WATER, CULTURED ORGANIC SOYBEANS (ORGANIC SOYBEANS, LACTIC ACID FROM PLANT SOURCES), ORGANIC TAMARI SOY SAUCE (WATER, ORGANIC SOYBEANS, SALT, ORGANIC ALCOHOL), ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, ORGANIC CANE SUGAR, SEA SALT, ORGANIC BROWN RICE, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: ORGANIC BEET POWDER (COLOR), ORGANIC ONION ...

How to cook LightLife smoky tempeh? ›

In a skillet over medium heat, add the oil and smoky tempeh. Cook for 5-7 minutes per side or until strip is slightly crispy. Remove from heat.

Is tempeh bacon good for you? ›

Tempeh bacon is a good source of protein and fiber. It is also low in fat and calories, making it a healthy option for those who are watching their weight. Tempeh bacon is also a good source of iron and magnesium.

Should you boil tempeh before frying? ›

Before using tempeh in any recipe, you can soften its bitter flavor by simmering the cubes for a couple minutes in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. An alternative to simmering: set a steamer basket in a pot and steam the cubes for 10 to 15 minutes.

Why is tempeh healthier than tofu? ›

Tempeh contains the most fiber and more protein than tofu because it contains the whole bean. The soy protein in tempeh is more digestable because of the fermentation process.

Does LightLife tempeh go bad? ›

We do not recommend consuming our products after the “best by” date. WHY IS THERE BLACK ON MY TEMPEH? The dark areas are from the production process – they are edible and perfectly normal. Tempeh is a fermented product that incubates for several hours.

How to eat smoky tempeh? ›

I use this Tempeh on practically everything – it's great in Buddha Bowls, in Salads, Sandwiches, and even as a Vegan “Bacon” replacement! If you're looking for more recipes using Tempeh, you'll also love this Roasted Vegetable Salad with Smoky Tempeh and this Kale & Quinoa Salad with Maple Mustard Tempeh!

What is the best way to cook LightLife bacon? ›

SKILLET (OUR FAVORITE): Lightly coat skillet with oil; preheat over MEDIUM heat. Place strips in a single layer and cook 3 to 3 1/2 minutes, turning once.

Why add vinegar to tempeh? ›

Adding vinegar lowers the pH and prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria. Add the tempeh starter: Sprinkle the tempeh starter over the beans and mix for about a minute to distribute evenly. Fill the bags: Divide the beans between the two bags.

Is there a downside to tempeh? ›

Tempeh, along with other fermented soy products, is generally considered safe for most people. However, some individuals may want to consider limiting their intake of tempeh. Those with a soy allergy should avoid tempeh altogether. Eating tempeh may trigger an allergic response for these people.

Does tempeh bacon taste like bacon? ›

Tastes so much like bacon!

Here, a blend of pantry-staple ingredients is used to give you a tangy, sweet, spicy, salty, and smoky marinade. The result? Tempeh bacon with the same rich, smoky flavors as traditional bacon. Another factor in creating a vegan bacon alternative is the texture.

Can you eat too much tempeh? ›

It's completely safe and healthy to eat up to two to three servings of soy products, such as tempeh, daily,” says Palmer. Of course, if you're allergic or sensitive to soy, you'll want to avoid it.

How to get the bitterness out of tempeh? ›

Steam tempeh

Steaming the tempeh will remove some of the bitterness before cooking it further. This step isn't always necessary, especially if you're pairing the tempeh with a boldly-flavored sauce. You can steam tempeh using a steamer basket in a saucepan or a microwave-safe dish covered with water or vegetable broth.

Why does my tempeh taste bad? ›

As they point out, if tempeh ferments for even just a little too long the bitter flavours of lactic acid bacteria and acetobacter (a microbial companion to vinegar) overwhelm the mushroomy flavour of the rhizopus oligosporus used to make tempeh.

What is LightLife tempeh made of? ›

Ingredients: CULTURED ORGANIC SOYBEANS (SOYBEANS, LACTIC ACID FROM PLANT SOURCES), WATER, ORGANIC BROWN RICE. CONTAINS: SOY.

What are the ingredients in LightLife smart bacon? ›

WATER, WHEAT GLUTEN, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, SUGAR, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVORS, SPICE EXTRACTIVES, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CARRAGEENAN, YEAST EXTRACT, VEGETABLE OIL, NATURAL FLAVOR, RED RICE FLOUR, SMOKED SUGAR, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR).

What is tempeh bacon made of? ›

Temeph is made from fermentd soy beans and has a kind of nutty flavor. It's also got a great texture and really soaks up flavor! Olive oil: Since bacon has fat, it's good to add some olive oil to boost the rest of the flavors and help make the tempeh crispy.

What is smoky bacon Flavouring? ›

Smoky Bacon Seasoning: Yeast Extract (Yeast Extract, Salt), Maltodextrin, Caster Sugar, Salt, Onion Powder, Natural Flavouring, Caramelised Sugar, Dried Herb (Parsley), Anticaking Agent: Silicon Dioxide, Sunflower Oil, Ground Spices (Paprika, Black Pepper).

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