Tempeh Bacon

This is an easy homemade vegan tempeh bacon recipe with soy sauce, smoked paprika, maple syrup, hot sauce and garlic powder. There is no liquid smoke, but it’s still smoky, savory, umami and totally delicious. And there are so many ways to enjoy it, because basically, it improves and enhances almost any meal 😊

A few things…

• ・I like using Lightlife Original Tempeh, because it is a long tempeh cake. When it’s sliced vertically, it’s more akin to the length of real bacon. Usually, I can slice it into 10 strips. You can use any tempeh you want. The number of strips will depend on how you slice it, and how big the tempeh cake is to begin with.

• ・Steaming tempeh helps remove any bitterness, and also aids it in soaking up the marinade. It’s an important step that you don’t want to skip. I provide directions for how to steam tempeh using a steamer or in the microwave.

• ・I like to marinate the tempeh in a glass loaf pan, because it is long and narrow. This means that it’s easy to make sure the tempeh is completely covered in the bacon marinade. Use what works for you.

• ・While this recipe can be used after 2 hours of marinating in the refrigerator, it tastes even better when left to marinate overnight. The flavor does improve with time.

Please enjoy this tasty tempeh bacon recipe! And discover additional UVK recipes, like Vegan Cheesy Potato and Bacon Pierogi, Slow Cooker Tempeh Sauerkraut Stew, Chipotle Tempeh Kebabs, Vegan Heirloom Tomato Salad, Vegan Gnocchi with Sweet Corn, Collard Greens and Tempeh Bacon, and more.

Tempeh Bacon

8 ounce package of tempeh (I used Lightlife Original Tempeh)

¾ cup reduced sodium soy sauce (OR gluten free tamari)

1 ½ tsp smoked paprika

2 ½ Tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp hot sauce (I used Louisana Hot Sauce)

1-2 Tbsp olive oil

1. First, you need to steam the tempeh for this vegan bacon recipe. Use either a vegetable steamer or a microwave.

VEGETABLE STEAMER: If you have access to a vegetable steamer, bring the water to a boil, then place the entire cake of tempeh into the steaming basket (see photo above), and then, secure lid. Steam for ~5 minutes. Remove the tempeh from steamer and pat dry.

MICROWAVE: Place the entire tempeh cake in a microwaveable loaf pan, and add ½ cup of water. Cover the pan, and microwave for 2 minutes. Remove the tempeh and pat dry.

2. When the tempeh is cool enough to handle, slice it into thin strips.

3. Combine the soy sauce, smoked paprika, maple syrup, garlic powder and hot sauce in a glass loaf pan. Place the tempeh in the vegan bacon marinade and slosh the marinade around until it’s well coated.

4. Then, cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap. For best results, let the tempeh bacon marinate overnight. For good results, let it marinate for 2 hours.

5. When the tempeh bacon is marinated, add the olive oil to a skillet. Add several strips of tempeh, and fry it up over medium heat. Flip it very gently.

6. When it’s is done cooking, place it on a plate lined with a paper towel. Serve this recipe for homemade tempeh bacon at breakfast or on sandwiches, salads, and more!