This BBQ Tempeh is an irresistible combination of sweetness, tanginess, and smokiness, making it a versatile option for sandwiches, tacos, or as a flavorful main protein in your meals.
Tempeh is pan-fried to golden crispness and generously coated in a homemade BBQ sauce.
It's a delicious plant-based alternative that's both quick and bursting with flavor.
Whether paired with grilled veggies in a bowl or in a taco with slaw, this dish promises to be a hit at any barbecue or weeknight dinner.
And the best part? It's ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes!
Jump to:
What is Tempeh?
Tempeh is an Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans.
It has a firm texture and a nutty, earthy flavor.
Ingredients
The tempeh is coated in soy sauce and a blend of spices, pan-fried until golden brown and then smothered in a sweet and tangy vegan bbq sauce.
Tempeh: The star of the show is tempeh! It's fermented soybeans that have a firm texture and a nutty, earthy flavor.
Soy Sauce: Adds flavor to the tempeh and helps the seasoning blend stick.
Nutritional Yeast: Umami and gives it a nice coating that gets crisp.
Spices: I used garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add addition spices or dried herbs for additional flavor.
Avocado Oil: For pan-frying. I use the brand Chosen.
BBQ Sauce: Use homemade or store-bought. Not all store-bought options are vegan so be sure to check ingredients. Whole Foods has a great one!
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make This Recipe
Whip up this quick and easy barbecue tempeh recipe in under 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and just a few simple steps!
It can be served in various ways, from bowls to sandwiches to tacos.
The full written recipe can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Cube or cut the tempeh into small triangles. Add to a medium-sized bowl.
Step 2: Toss the tempeh in the soy sauce and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes to soak. If you want it spicy, add a dash of hot sauce.
Step 3: Sprinkle the nutritional yeast and seasonings over the tempeh and toss until coated.
Step 4: Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the oil. Pan-fry until crispy and golden on each side, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 5: Turn the heat to low and add in the bbq sauce and toss to coat.
Step 6: Serve on sandwiches, tacos, or on a salad. Enjoy!
Note: If you're sensitive to the bitterness of tempeh, I would recommend steaming it before tossing in soy sauce.
Substitutions & Variations
Tempeh: Don't love tempeh? Try BBQ Tofu instead!
Soy Sauce: If you're gluten-free, use a gluten-free tamari instead.
Make it spicy: Add a bit of hot sauce to the soy sauce and marinate for about 5-10 minutes. And add a dash of cayenne to the bbq sauce!
Serving Ideas
It's delicious on bowls, sandwiches, or pairs well with sides like corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.
With endless serving options and meal prep-friendly convenience, this is going to be a hit this summer!
Enjoy it at a BBQ: Serve with coleslaw, cornbread, and grilled vegetables.
Serve on a taco: Mix a cabbage and carrot blend with tahini ranch dressing and serve on a flour tortilla. This is my current favorite quick and easy dinner!
Serve on a grain bowl: Serve over brown rice, quinoa, or farro and pair it with roasted vegetables, coleslaw, and garlic aioli.
As a sandwich: Serve with slaw, pickles, vegan mayo, on a toasted bun.
Serve with potatoes: Mashed potatoes, potato salad, or smashed potatoes are all good side dish options. Green beans or Brussels sprouts would be nice too.
Serve it over mac & cheese: If you've never had vegan mac and cheese topped with BBQ tempeh you are missing out. It's pure comfort food! Drizzle it with vegan ranch dressing.
Tips & Tricks
Speed it up by making the bbq sauce ahead of time or use store-bought.
Steam tempeh before marinating to reduce bitterness. I don't personally find this necessary but if you're sensitive to the bitterness, I would recommend it.
Be cautious! Tempeh can be crumbly so handle it with care.
Cut it however you'd like! You can chop it into small cubes, small triangles, or thin strips. It's up to you!
Storage
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Reheat: Reheat leftovers on the stove-top until warmed through. If the bbq sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water.
Frequently Asked Questions
The black spots are mold but is completely edible and safe! It won't affect the flavor at all either. While the black spots are normal and safe on tempeh, a greenish fuzzy mold is not safe and should be discarded.
You can use a steamer basket to steam for 10 minutes or simply place in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with water. Microwave for 5 minutes.
I don’t always find steaming necessary but I say that you should try both ways and see what you prefer.
Steaming helps soften the texture and reduces the bitterness that tempeh has. Definitely don't skip the steaming if you're sensitive to the bitterness.
Here is the recipe for my Homemade Vegan BBQ Sauce. This sauce can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week!
More Tempeh Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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Recipe
BBQ Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 block Tempeh
- 1 tablespoon Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Nutritional Yeast
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Pinch of Kosher Salt
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil for cooking
- ⅓ cup Vegan BBQ Sauce store-bought or homemade
Instructions
- If you're using homemade BBQ sauce, prep that first.
- Cube or cut the tempeh into small triangles. Add to a medium-sized bowl.
- Toss the tempeh in the soy sauce and allow to sit for 2-3 minutes to soak. If you want it spicy, add a dash of hot sauce.
- Sprinkle the nutritional yeast and seasonings over the tempeh and toss until coated.
- Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat and add the avocado oil. Pan-fry until crispy and golden on each side, about 3-5 minutes.
- Turn the heat to low and add in the bbq sauce. Toss to coat.
- Serve on sandwiches, tacos, or on a salad. Enjoy!
Notes
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Bethan says
This looks amazing. Definitely adding to next week’s meal plan! 😍😍
Liv says
Let me know how it goes!