BBQ tempeh stuffed baked potatoes are the best way for vegetarians to enjoy barbecue! The easiest bbq tempeh is loaded into delicious red potatoes with plenty of cheese to make a full meal.
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Barbecue is some of the greatest food on earth. But what is a vegetarian supposed to do in a world full of meat?
When I first became a vegetarian, it was difficult to know how to incorporate my love of bbq sauce into my new diet. That's how my barbecue chickpea salad came about, as well as this tasty recipe for bbq tempeh stuffed baked potatoes!
BBQ baked potatoes
Baked potatoes have always been a meal unto themselves for me. There are lots of topping options, and if you're still hungry just grab another potato!
Stuffing these baked potatoes with bbq tempeh really takes things to the next level. It makes a complete meal (although sides are fun, check out my ideas below) that is very hands off until the last few minutes.
While baked potatoes can take a long time to cook, this is great if you have a busy evening of activities or meetings. Throw a few potatoes in the oven and when you come back in a few hours, you'll only be about 10 minutes away from dinner!
Of course there's more than one way to make a baked potato. To get things done faster try a microwave baked potato, air fryer baked potato, or instant pot baked potato.
Ingredients
- Red potatoes
- Olive oil
- Tempeh
- BBQ sauce
- Butter
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Green onions, optional
How to make bbq tempeh stuffed baked potatoes
- Prick the outside of the potatoes a few times with a fork and wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil. Bake on the center rack of the oven 1-3 hours, or until the potatoes give when squeezed gently.
- When the potatoes are done, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the grated tempeh and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown. Lower the heat and add the BBQ sauce and continue to cook until warmed through.
- Unwrap the potatoes and cut open lengthwise without cutting all the way through the potato. Using a fork, mash the insides carefully with ½ tablespoon each of the butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then divide the cheese evenly over each. Add a few spoonfuls of the tempeh to the top and garnish with additional cheese and green onions if desired.
Top tips
The best bbq sauce
I love pretty much every barbecue sauce I try, but one does reign supreme. Organicville BBQ Sauce (affiliate link) is my favorite both because of the taste and for its simple ingredients. If you can't find this brand, I also regularly buy Stubbs (they have tons of flavors to try!), and I really do love some Sweet Baby Ray's.
How to grate tempeh for barbecue
I used a standing box grater on the largest holes to grate my tempeh. The block of tempeh can be a little floppy, so grate carefully, making sure you don't catch your hands on the holes.
Alternatively, you could run it through the food processor for just a second to chop it up, or break it up with your fingers into bite size pieces.
The best potatoes for filled potatoes
Traditionally russet potatoes are the best choice for stuffing because they're large and sturdy. However, I love red potatoes and think the skins taste great with everything here, making it a no-waste situation. You can use whatever your favorite potato is as long as it is large enough to hold some fillings.
Tips for customizing stuffed baked potatoes
- You can easily make these baked potatoes vegan by using vegan cheese and butter (double check that your bbq sauce is vegan too!)
- Use oven roasted potato wedges instead of baked potatoes
- Make your own spicy bbq sauce to control the heat and flavor
- Swap the red potatoes for russets, yellow gold, or sweet potatoes
- Add cooked corn
FAQ
Tempeh is a fermented soybean product. It is usually sold in blocks near the tofu and other refrigerated natural and organic products.
Ground tempeh has a really meaty texture but is entirely plant based. It makes a great substitute for ground beef and has a bit of a nutty flavor.
Tempeh is sometimes, but not always gluten-free. It is important to check the ingredients and package of your tempeh if you cannot eat gluten.
There is mixed information out there on whether or not you can eat raw tempeh. This is because most packaged tempeh is pasteurized, making it safe to eat raw. If you were to find fresh tempeh, it is recommended that you cook it before eating.
Because of this, I recommend always cooking tempeh before eating it. There is no nutritional or other benefit to eating raw tempeh, making it unnecessary anyways.
What to serve with bbq baked potatoes
- Moist and Fluffy Cornbread
- The Best Easy Vegan Salad
- Steamed Corn on the Cob
- Vegetarian Cornbread Stuffing
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
- Air Fryer Zucchini
- Air Fryer Asparagus
- Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad
- Oven Roasted Carrots with Thyme
- Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
BBQ Tempeh Stuffed Baked Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 large red potatoes
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 8 ounces Tempeh, grated
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, I love Organicville BBQ Sauce, or more to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup green onions for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Prick the outside of the potatoes a few times with a fork and wrap each potato individually in aluminum foil. Bake on the center rack of the oven 1-3 hours, depending on size, or until the potatoes give when squeezed gently.
- When the potatoes are done, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the grated tempeh and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, 3-5 minutes.
- Lower the heat and add the BBQ sauce and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until warmed through.
- Unwrap the potatoes and cut open lengthwise without cutting all the way through the potato. Using a fork, mash the insides carefully with ½ tablespoon each of the butter.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper, then divide the cheese evenly over each. Add a few spoonfuls of the tempeh to the top and garnish with additional cheese and green onions if desired.
Notes
Tips for customizing stuffed baked potatoes
-
- You can easily make these baked potatoes vegan by using vegan cheese and butter (double check that your bbq sauce is vegan too!)
-
- Use oven roasted potato wedges instead of baked potatoes
-
- Make your own spicy bbq sauce to control the heat and flavor
-
- Swap the red potatoes for russets, yellow gold, or sweet potatoes
-
- Add cooked corn
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