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Home › Recipes › By Diet › Dairy Free

What is Tempeh – Cooking tips, Nutrition, Facts, and Recipes!

by Lindsay Cotter · 03/09/2020

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★★★★★ 5 from 5 reviews

What is tempeh? I’ll explain more about the nutrient-rich, plant-based protein, and its health benefits. It’s a better choice than tofu – you’ll find out why! Plus, I have delicious and easy recipes and cooking tips for the best ways to enjoy it! 

3 cakes of tempeh, stacked on a white plate

Alright my friends, we’re back with another 101 series! And this time, it’s all about that plant based protein. Have you heard of it? Hint. It’s made from fermented soybeans. Don’t go run off now, I promise you’ll want to know all about this food! TEMPEH!

Almost everyone in the world is familiar with tofu, but tempeh is still a bit of a mystery to some people.

One reason may be because tofu is a product of Asia, so it is popular worldwide. Meanwhile, tempeh is native only to Indonesia.

But there are some big reasons why I CHOOSE tempeh over tofu.

What is tempeh and why is it better than tofu?

For starters, tofu is processed soy and tempeh isn’t processed. It’s  CULTURED SOY! Allow me to explain…

The ingredients that make up traditional, basic tempeh are fairly simple: 

  • Soybeans
  • Water
  • A starter culture
  • An acid to adjust the pH.

Also, other ingredients can be added, like rice, seaweed, or seasonings. It can also be made from just about any other legume, nut, seed, or grain.

I prefer it made with brown rice, for a meatier texture.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sometimes soy sauce or wheat berries, as well as other gluten-containing ingredients are used. As a result, it is important to always double check the label if you are looking for a gluten-free version

How it’s made

The process behind the making of it is similar to some cheesemaking recipes, like bleu cheese.

  1. First, whole soybeans are cooked briefly in order to sterilize them. Then they are left to cool down.
  2. After cooling, fungal starter cultures are mixed into the soybeans, and fermentation begins. This means the fungi begin to eat the beans, breaking them down.
  3. Thanks to the fermentation, everything starts to bind together. What you’re left with is a fuzzy, dense brick (or cake) of highly nutritious cultured soy!

This is what makes it a great protein option for vegans and vegetarians!

Another benefit of fermentation is that it is more nutritious and easier to digest.

Plus, fermentation gives it a deep, nutty flavor, but with some savory, meaty (umami) notes.

Tempeh doesn’t count as a probiotic since it must be cooked prior to consuming.

But, it is definitely a prebiotic. This means, it has all the fiber the healthy colonies in the gut thrive on.

Tempeh Nutrition: What are the Benefits?

Tempeh has been highly-touted for its nutrition for centuries. Now, modern science is showing us just how good this ancient food is for our health.

cakes of fermented soybeans

The nutritional content of an individual block varies depending on the ingredients. However, there are a few things all versions have to offer. Here’s a look at traditional soy tempeh nutrition:

  • PROTEIN: A whopping 20g of protein per 100g. That’s two and a half times as much as tofu’s 8g.

Plus, it has 7g more protein than an equal portion of eggs. But with no cholesterol!

  • FIBER: It contains 9g of fiber per 100g; That is nearly a third of the recommended daily intake.
  • CARBS: Tempeh sits relatively low on the carb spectrum, with only 8g per 100g serving.

That coupled with the high fiber means it’s only about 1 gram of net carbs and a great choice for those living a low carb or keto lifestyle.

  • FAT: More great news for those who strive for keto: It has a good amount of healthy, plant-based fats.

Around 11g of fat (including omega-3s) are in each 100g serving.

Vitamins and minerals? Oh YES, indeed!

  • Folic Acid
  • Iron
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin B12 (It is actually one of very few plant-based foods which may offer B12)

 

Best ways to use it!

Now that we have an answer to what is tempeh, let’s discuss the very best ways to prepare it!

It is perfect as a ground meat substitute. Some of my favorite ways to enjoy it are

  • As a taco filling
  • Grilled slices (like steak slices)
  • Crumbled in salads or as ground meat substitute
  • With quinoa (watch for my Vegan BBQ Quinoa Salad version, coming soon!)

It is ALSO delicious in stir fry.

How to prepare and Cook Tempeh (Video)

Tempeh must be cooked. Use it as an alternative to animal protein in just about any dish. You can pan fry or even bake it to bring out more of its nuttiness.

What is Tempeh? Cooking tips, Nutrition, Facts, and Recipes!

Give it a try as the protein in my Sweet and Sour Asian Noodles or check out my tempeh taco bowl in my Nourishing Superfoods Bowl Cookbook! This is one powerhouse plant based food as well as a great protein choice to rotate into your diet. That’s if you are not allergic to soy. 🙂

plates of ground tempeh and BBQ tempeh slices

Easy BBQ stir fry tempeh

  1. First, add all ingredients for the marinade into a bowl and whisk them together.
  2. If you’re quick on time, yo may use 2/3 c prepared BBQ sauce of choice.
  3. Place oil in a medium size skillet and heat to medium. Place sliced or crumbled tempeh in the pan then cook on medium high, searing the tempeh 3-5 minutes on each side until crispy.
  4. Cook again for 2-3 minutes, coating each side to caramelize the sauce on the tempeh.

From this point, you can serve it over your favorite salad or gluten free grain.

Or place it on flatbread, in a sandwich or wrap, etc.

cooked and sliced tempeh in a skillet

Another option is to crumble it to use as a substitute for ground beef, turkey, or pork.

cooked and crumbled tempeh in a skillet

 

 

 

 

Print
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slices of tempeh with BBQ sauce

Tempeh Stir Fry Skillet with BBQ Sauce


★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
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Description

Tempeh Stir Fry Skillet with BBQ Sauce (Gluten Free)


Ingredients

Scale

Maple BBQ sauce/marinade

  • 2/3 cup gluten free BBQ sauce (I used unsweetened BBQ sauce )
  • 3 tsp fresh grated ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1/2 to 1 tbsp maple syrup (adjust to your likeness)
  • sea salt an pepper to taste

For the Pan/Skillet

  • 8 ounce package gluten free tempeh cut into one inch by 2 inch rectangular strips or crumble by hand
  • 2/3 cup maple BBQ sauce (above) or BBQ marinade of choice

Instructions

  1. To prepare the maple bbq sauce, combine all ingredients for sauce into a small bowl and whisk together. Set aside. If you’re quick on time, you may use 2/3 c prepared BBQ sauce of choice.
  2. Place olive oil or sesame oil in a medium size pan/skillet. Heat pan to medium heat and place sliced or crumbled tempeh in the pan. Turn pan to medium high and sear the tempeh 3-5 minutes on each side until crispy.
  3. After searing, add BBQ sauce to the pan, covering the tempeh. Mix thoroughly.
  4. Cook again for 2-3 minutes, coating each side to caramelize the sauce on the tempeh.
  5. Serve over your favorite salad, gluten free grain, on flatbread, in a sandwich or wrap, etc.

Notes

IMPORTANT NOTE: Sometimes soy sauce or wheat berries, as well as other gluten-containing ingredients are used. As a result, it is important to always double check the label if you are looking for a gluten-free version

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 10
  • Category: Main
  • Method: stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 130
  • Sugar: 6.3 g
  • Sodium: 56.4 mg
  • Fat: 3.3 g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15.3 g
  • Fiber: 6.1 g
  • Protein: 11.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: vegan, vegetarian, low carb, tempeh, plant based protein

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @cottercrunch on Instagram and hashtag it #cottercrunch

Alright my friends, so what do you think? Will you give tempeh a try? Have you seen this type of soy protein before? DO TELL!

Cheers,

LC

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Categories: Dairy Free, Has Video, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags: tutorial, vegan

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

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  1. Phu nguyen says

    02/11/2021 at 3:02 PM

    Hello, thanks for the recipe. I just have a question. In the article you mentioned that you like to combine the brown rice with tempeh. I like the idea but don’t know how to go about it . Could you please let know how do you combine the two products together? Is it cook rice and soybean put it together and let it fermented together? Will they form a tight cake when the fermentation is done? Or how do you do it? Thanks
    My email is phuthi35@yahoo. Com
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      02/11/2021 at 7:40 PM

      Do you meant making your own tempeh? Or combing pre-made tempeh with other grains? I usually buy the premade tempeh that’s made with brown rice and cultured soybean.

      Reply
  2. jenny says

    04/01/2020 at 9:51 AM

    This was the best recipe that i have found until now.

    Reply
  3. Toni says

    03/12/2020 at 9:22 AM

    This was really amazing! Thanks so much for this very informative post!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Lindsay Cotter says

      03/12/2020 at 6:13 PM

      Oh so glad!

      Reply
  4. Katie says

    03/11/2020 at 8:44 PM

    This recipe is not only delicious, but helpful! I had a friend ask if tempeh was a fish the other day 😉 Now I can direct them to a true definition!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. wilhelmina says

    03/11/2020 at 6:11 PM

    This was a first for me and I’m so glad I tried it! Thanks for all the great info and my delicious lunch today!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  6. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

    03/11/2020 at 1:26 PM

    I didn’t realize how good tempeh is for you! I really need to start eating it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. Lauren Kelly says

    03/11/2020 at 7:35 AM

    I am so happy I found this recipe. I love tempeh so much! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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Lindsay Cotter of Cotter Crunch

Hi, y'all, I’m Lindsay Cotter, a Nutrition Specialist with a focus on Gluten Free eating. I love creating delicious nourishing food that anyone can enjoy.

About · Studio · Shop · Contact
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter YouTube

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