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What is tempeh and how do you cook it? Here I’m sharing a guide to all things tempeh along with my favorite marinated tempeh recipe.
If you’re new to tempeh, you’re in the right place because I have created a guide to teach you all about tempeh, it’s health benefits and how to cook it!
You may have seen some of my tempeh recipes and wondered what tempeh is. For starters, it’s a plant-based protein made of cooked soybeans (think edamame) 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. Some varieties of tempeh only include soybeans, but others will contain grains like barley, rice, flax or millet along with the soybeans.
Tempeh on its own has a mild, nutty flavor that’s often described as earthy. Like most proteins, it really takes on the flavor of the dish! When prepared with marinades or sauces, it absorbs those flavors and the end result is so tasty.
Tempeh is related to tofu, but they aren’t the same thing! They are both made from soy, but other than that they’re actually quite different.
Tempeh is less processed, fermented and has a stronger flavor and a bit more texture. Tofu is more processed and has a milder flavor with basically no texture! Tofu can be blended up into a creamy sauce or soup or can be fried for more texture, but in general it is much smoother than tempeh.
I also find tempeh a bit easier to work with because there’s minimal prep work. With tofu you have to account for extra time to press it and with tempeh you simply open the package and you’re ready to chop and cook!
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 in mainstream stores. I gravitate towards the Three Grain variety because it is the mildest in terms of taste, but I like the original as well!
You can buy tempeh in most major grocery stores and at every health food store. You’ll find it in the refrigerated section, usually by the produce or other plant-based proteins.
Tempeh is incredibly healthy! Not only is it a complete protein, but it’s a good source of iron, prebiotics, B vitamins and manganese. A 1 cup serving of tempeh has a whopping 31 grams of protein!!
As I mentioned above, tempeh is a fermented food. This fermentation process breaks down phytic acid, which can inhibit mineral absorption. This means the minerals in tempeh are easier to digest and tempeh is also less likely to cause gas or indigestion when compared to other beans. I don’t know about you, but less gas and bloating is always a win in my book!
Yes, tempeh is very healthy. It’s an excellent source of plant-based protein, prebiotics and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron.
Tempeh and tofu are both healthy options, however tempeh does provide more protein, fiber, iron, and potassium per serving when compared to tofu. It is also considered less processed than tofu. That said, tofu is lower in calories and does have more calcium per serving.
Most packaged tempeh is pasteurized so it is safe to eat raw, but it will taste much better if you cook it!
You can find tempeh at most major grocery stores now. Look for it in the refrigerated section, usually by the produce or other plant-based proteins.
Alright, so now that you know why you should be eating tempeh, let’s cover how to prepare and cook tempeh so you can feel confident next time you put a block of tempeh in your shopping cart.
There are so many different ways to cut tempeh, but here are my go-to methods:
Packaged tempeh is pre-cooked so you can easily enjoy it right from the package (on sandwiches, salads, etc), but I highly recommend cooking it so that it tastes better.
A lot of people suggest steaming the tempeh before marinating or cooking to help remove any bitterness. I honestly don’t take the time to do this, but if you’d like to try it here’s the process. To steam the tempeh, cut it as desired, place in a steamer basket, cover and steam for 10-15 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can fill a saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling place the tempeh in the saucepan, cover and reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
My favorite way to make tempeh taste amazing is to marinate it! You can marinate in the fridge anywhere from one hour to overnight. The longer it marinates the longer the tempeh has time to soak up all the flavors. I’m sharing a simple tempeh marinade below made of maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, oil, tamari and garlic. It’s a staple recipe in our house!
Once your tempeh is prepped and marinated, it’s time to cook it! You have a few options. Here’s what I recommend:
This marinated tempeh is lovely served over rice or another grain like quinoa or millet. You can also serve it on cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. You can also pair it with a veggie side like my roasted broccoli or kale salad or try it in my tempeh bowls with pumpkin rice.
Be sure to check out all of my tempeh recipes on EBF!
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Thank you Brittany for your informative site. I am just starting to cook with tempeh and am so grateful for the recipes.I found your basics very helpful too.Best to you.
Looks great, simple and tasty, I’ll make this for me and my wife tonight! Thanks lots for what you do! [ New Zealand]
i have seen your blog was totally awesome I am very lucky to have this amazing post @lovely post.
These look delicious, I love using tempeh in Asian dishes.
I’ve never had tempeh before, but it looks like it would taste great and I love how versatile it is!