This is by far the best Teriyaki Tempeh recipe! Tempeh makes a delicious protein addition to any meal. Think you don’t like tempeh? I thought I didn’t either but try this recipe before you give up on it!
Before going plant-based I had never heard of tempeh. Actually, before going vegan, I hadn’t heard of a lot of things.
I stuck to my basics of pasta, pizza, soup and then some more pasta. Not that I don’t eat those every once in a while (check out my tasty cashew mac & cheese) but a whole new world opened up to me when I decided not to solely rely on those foods anymore.
Tempeh though was one of the last vegan “staples” foods I tried. I’ll be honest about why: I thought it looked weird.
When I finally got the courage to try it, I was not impressed. I thought it tasted bland. I tried few more tempeh recipes and decided “nope, tempeh is not for me”.
My husband is actually the one who changed my mind. He ordered it at a restaurant and liked it so he made me try it again.
And you know what? It was really good! I realized then that it’s all about how you prepare and cook the tempeh.
What is this Tempeh You Speak of?
So you might be saying to yourself, “okay we get you like tempeh, but tell me what tempeh actually is”.
Well, tempeh is fermented soybeans that are formed into a sort of cake/loaf. It’s originally from Indonesia and still used in many Asian countries.
Believe me, I did not think I’d like tempeh but I urge you to give it a try. It can be delicious (if cooked correctly) and another great protein to add to your recipes like I did in my Spicy Sesame Noodles.
Tempeh actually contains more fiber and protein than tofu because it is less processed. Tempeh also is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and iron.
Most health food stores such as Whole Foods sell tempeh and many large mainstream grocery stores are starting to carry it now – I have even found some at my local Stop and Shop.
Teriyaki Tempeh – The Best Tempeh Recipe!
I’ve been playing around with tempeh for a while now and have come up with an extra tasty version for you, my teriyaki tempeh.
Like I said, good tempeh is all about how you prepare and cook it. Firstly, I steam the tempeh. While this is not mandatory (and I sometimes don’t have the time to do it) – the steaming process seems to take out any extra bitterness.
After steaming, I make a tempeh marinade, marinate the tempeh, and then cook it. Sometimes I’ll steam the tempeh the night before and marinate overnight through the next day if I know I’ll be making it for dinner the next night (now that makes for some extra tasty tempeh).
After cooking the tempeh, I add the sauce, and voilà, the best tempeh recipe ever! You can even use it in tacos – check out my Teriyaki Tempeh Taco recipe if you want some Mexican fusion!
Looking for other vegan tempeh recipes? Here are some of my other favorite ways to use tempeh:
- as a bacon substitute like in my Vegan Ranch Pasta Salad
- in salads
- in pasta like in my Spicy Sesame Noodles
- in casseroles
- in tacos like in my Teriyaki Tempeh Tacos
- and more!
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ★★★★★!
Teriyaki Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package organic tempeh
- 1 TB olive or coconut oil
Tempeh Marinade
- 3 TB veggie broth
- 1 TB tamari (or soy sauce if not gf)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
Teriyaki Sauce
- 4 TB tamari (or soy sauce if not gf)
- 1 tsp sesame or olive oil
- 2 TB maple syrup
- 1 tsp sriracha (or hot sauce)
- 1 tsp rice wine or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp corn starch
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke (optional but tasty)
Toppings
- Sesame seeds
- Scallions
Instructions
- Cut tempeh into triangles or squares and steam in a steamer basket for 10 minutes (optional but makes the tempeh extra tasty).
- Add all ingredients for marinade into bowl and whisk together.
- Place tempeh into dish and pour marinade over. Marinate for at least 20 mins.
- Place olive or coconut oil in a pan and sear the tempeh 3-5 minutes on each side until crispy.
- Mix teriyaki sauce ingredients in large bowl.
- Once tempeh is cooked, add tempeh to teriyaki sauce, covering the tempeh.
- Take tempeh out of the sauce (leaving the extra sauce in the bowl) and add back to pan.
- Heat tempeh again for about 30 seconds on each side to caramelize the sauce on the tempeh.
- Turn off heat and pour the remaining sauce over the tempeh in the pan. Leave for about a minute for the rest of the sauce to thicken a bit.
- Serve and top with sesame seed and scallions (optional).
Nutrition
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Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel confident creating sustainable habits that align with their values and health goals. She shares easy plant-powered food to nourish your body + satisfy your tastebuds. Mary Ellen’s recipes and nutrition info has been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more. She lives in NJ with her husband & two sweet shih tzus, Firenze & Sophie.
Kathleen says
This was the first tempeh recipe I ever tried myself. I followed the directions carefully shopping it would turn out okay! It was delicious! The flavors, the delicious smells, I was very pleased. My reluctant husband agreed – I will make it again. Next time however I will double the sauce so we have plenty to trickle on the rice and veggies.
Mary Ellen says
So happy you and your husband liked it, Kathleen! Yes, making the extra sauce for veggies and rice is a great idea.
Cindy Mitchell says
OMG!! Sooooo good and easy to make! A perfect combo for me !!! I did the steaming and liquid smoke! Made all the difference!!!
Mary Ellen says
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it, Cindy! Yes, the liquid smoke does add a little extra flavor. 🙂
Thanks for coming back and leaving a review!
Elizabeth Smith says
I have a question. If I didn’t want to make the teriyaki sauce and bought it instead, about how much would you use?
Mary Ellen says
Hi Elizabeth! I have not used store-bought teriyaki sauce so I can’t tell you for sure. I might start with 2 tablespoons and see how it tastes when cooking and add a little more if needed. You might have to add a little water to thin it as well if the teriyaki sauce is thick. If you do try it, let me know how it turns out!
Stacey says
Thank you for finally solving my problem with tempeh! Had not attempted it for many years, then a block of tempeh was bought in error, then I didn’t want to waste it, google led me here. Have realised that pre-steaming is the key I’m pleased to be able to cook it at last, it’s a much more forgiving ingredient than tofu (love tofu but precision needed with cooking & marinating). The teriyaki tempeh is great cold in a salad too.
Mary Ellen says
So happy to help, Stacey! I felt the same way, I never thought I’d like tempeh until I steamed it. Now I use it all the time.
Another way I like to prepare it is to break it up and fry it with a little olive oil and tamari as I do in with my sesame noodles: https://www.vnutritionandwellness.com/spicy-sesame-noodles/. You don’t actually have to steam the tempeh beforehand for those little crumbles and they still taste good. 🙂
Zen says
I’ve tried a few “I used to hate tempeh” recipes and I just still don’t like tempeh. I don’t know if I’m still doing something wrong or just overly sensitive to that weird bitter aftertaste…
4 stars because the sauce is good and my dislike of tempeh is not to do with this recipe.
Mary Ellen says
Hi Zen, I understand, some people just can’t get into tempeh. 🙁 Thank you for coming and leaving a review.
Sheryl C says
I’ve never made tempeh before. My daughter and her friend were coming to visit for the week, both are vegetarians and love tempeh. I found this recipe and I’m so glad I did! For my first try ever using this protien,, it was a hit! I’ve made it 3 more times since then as I will be having it myself often. Thank you so much for this recipe and the tips, I followed them all and the girls asked me for this recipe too! 10 Stars!!
Mary Ellen says
Oh that makes me so happy, Sheryl! I’m so glad you and the other ladies enjoyed it. 🙂
Thanks for coming back and leaving a rating.