BBQ Tempeh is incredibly easy to make with just 3 ingredients! Enjoy this quick vegan barbecue recipe with your favorite summer sides or turn it into an epic sandwich to enjoy for lunch.
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Barbecue sauce is pure magic. It's one of my favorite condiments and I'll use it any chance I get.
As it turns out, barbecue sauce is just one of the three ingredients needed for this quick and easy recipe. The other is tempeh (pronounced tem-pay), a fermented soy product that makes a great vegetarian or vegan protein. It's also loaded with fiber and probiotics, while being relatively low in cost, making it a great low-cost healthy food option!
Tempeh has a nutty, sometimes bitter taste. If you've tried tempeh before and weren't a fan, I urge you to still give this recipe a try since the bbq sauce has such a strong flavor.
This is a great option for cookouts, potlucks (you could keep it warm in a crockpot), and weeknight dinners. If you wanted to make your own barbecue sauce for this recipe I applaud you, but we're just going to focus on how to best prepare the tempeh to go with the sauce.
Ingredients
- Tempeh
- Olive oil
- BBQ sauce
How to make bbq tempeh
- Slice tempeh into strips.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the tempeh and cook, flipping occasionally, until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Add the bbq sauce, reduce the heat, and cook, stirring, until thickened, 2-3 minutes.
Top tips and questions
Can you eat tempeh raw?
Most store-bought tempeh is pasteurized, meaning it doesn't need to be cooked before eating. However, the taste and texture can be improved by cooking it. Be sure to check your package to ensure it has been pasteurized if choosing to eat it raw.
What is the texture of tempeh?
Tempeh has a nice bite to it, and isn't soft like tofu. It's similar to perfectly cooked beans (and technically, it kind of is!). It can also be a little crumbly since it's a bunch of soybeans pressed together into a cake.
Be sure to cut and pan fry the tempeh carefully to avoid breaking up the pieces. I usually use a spatula (affiliate link) or fork to flip the pieces while cooking.
How to cut tempeh
Tempeh can be a bit crumbly, so use care when cutting it. I sliced mine into strips along the shorter edge, then cut those strips in half to get bite sized pieces. I recommend you do most of your cutting in the kitchen with a large chef's knife.
My tempeh looks discolored, can I still eat it?
Yes. Because of the fermentation, tempeh can sometimes appear gray or other colors. This is normal and totally fine to eat.
Can I bake the tempeh instead?
Yes, if you prefer you can bake the tempeh in a single layer on a baking sheet at 375ºF for 20 minutes, flipping once. Remove from the oven and coat in barbecue sauce, returning to the oven until the sauce is warm if desired.
Is tempeh gluten-free?
Traditionally made tempeh is gluten-free, but store bought tempeh can sometimes be made with gluten containing ingredients. You should be able to find one that is gluten-free, but check the package to be sure.
What's the best barbecue sauce?
I love Organicville BBQ sauce. It's sweetened with agave nectar, tastes amazing, and is gluten-free and vegan. I also love my spicy bbq sauce, but feel free to use your favorite in this recipe.
How to store bbq tempeh
Leftovers can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave, oven, or pan fry with a bit of oil or additional bbq sauce.
Tips for customizing bbq tempeh
- Steam tempeh before cooking to eliminate the bitter taste by placing tempeh strips in a steamer basket set over 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Use my homemade Spicy BBQ Sauce or your favorite sauce.
- Cut the tempeh into any shape you prefer. One idea is to cut into cubes and place on toothpicks to serve as an appetizer.
- Use this to make a bbq tempeh sandwich on a hoagie roll with cheddar cheese (vegan, if preferred) and your favorite leafy green.
What to serve with BBQ Tempeh
- Mashed Potatoes Without Milk
- Oven Baked Potato Wedges
- Cheesy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy No Mayo Coleslaw
- Moist and Fluffy Cornbread
- Vegan Orzo Pasta Salad
- Vegan Potluck Barley Salad
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
More tempeh recipes
- Vegan Tempeh Tacos
- Thanksgiving Baked Tempeh
- Creamy Mushroom Tempeh
- Easy Stir Fried Tempeh
- Vegan Tempeh Buddha Bowl
- BBQ Tempeh Stuffed Baked Potatoes
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
BBQ Tempeh
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces tempeh, sliced into ¼ inch thick strips
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the tempeh in a single layer and cook until golden brown, flipping occasionally, about 10 minutes.
- Add the barbecue sauce, reduce the heat, and allow to cook, stirring, until warm and thickened, 2-3 minutes.
- Serve warm with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or your other favorite sides.
Notes
Tips for customizing bbq tempeh
- Steam tempeh before cooking to eliminate the bitter taste by placing tempeh strips in a steamer basket set over 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Use my homemade Spicy BBQ Sauce or your favorite sauce.
- Cut the tempeh into any shape you prefer. One idea is to cut into cubes and place on toothpicks to serve as an appetizer.
- Use this to make a bbq tempeh sandwich on a hoagie roll with cheddar cheese (vegan, if preferred) and your favorite leafy green.
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