The classic sandwich is reinvented with delicious baked smoky tempeh bacon, lettuce + tomato. This vegan tempeh BLT is SO easy + oil-free! Ready in 35 minutes with just a few simple ingredients. This is my new favorite sandwich!!!!!!!
Why Eat Tempeh?
Tempeh is a great source of protein + calcium + iron + magnesium! Above all, it is very high in prebiotics. If you are not familiar with prebiotics, time to get familiar!!!!! Prebiotics are a type of fiber that promote the growth of good gut bacteria. YES! To simplify this, we need lots and lots of good gut bacteria for our overall heath, to reduce inflammation, and so many more reasons! One way we get these is by eating a large variety of plants. Another way we accomplish this is by eating fermented foods. Tempeh is a fermented food 🙌🏻. Tempeh is on regular rotation in the MVF kitchen as one of our main sources of clean, plant-based protein. Still curious? Read this: Reasons to Eat Tempeh.
Tara’s Tips for Perfect Tempeh BLT Sandwich EVERY TIME:
- Boil your tempeh first!!!!! One of the main reasons people think they do not like tempeh is because it has a slightly bitter taste. Personally, I do not like tempeh in its original form, I always boil it. After boiling, the bitter taste is gone. Boiling also softens it up a touch so that the flavors you add later will absorb better.
- Extra time? Marinate it longer! First, boil the tempeh. Second, allow to marinate for 10 minutes up to 8 hours. 10 minutes is great, longer is awesome.
- No oil! Yep, you heard me correctly. With the proper pan and frequent flipping, these little vegan bacon strips caramelize and brown just perfectly. In addition, you can add a tablespoon of water or even an additional spoon of liquid aminos if you do get some sticking.
- Be sure to move them around the pan. I find that in some areas of my pan, the slices brown quicker, and the same may happen to you.
- Create a great sandwich. Vegan mayo + tomato + lettuce are a must. Non-vegan mayo if you are not vegan will work too. Vegan Ranch works perfectly too! Mr. MVF likes to add mustard, red onion, and pickled jalapenos on his tempeh BLT. I like mine as is with the 4 simple ingredients. Most importantly, a classic is a classic BUT it can certainly be upgraded.
- OPTIONAL but awesome: Make an entire second batch of marinade and pour over the tempeh in the pan when cooking begins. This intensifies the flavor + caramelization but is completely up to you if you want an extra flavor punch. This is how we love it. So … it is DOUBLE of all of the ingredients of the tempeh marinade.
- Need a FABULOUS vegan ranch recipe? Try my Easy Vegan Ranch!
Love Tempeh? Try my other tempeh recipes:
- Tempeh Taco Meat
- Teriyaki Tempeh With Vegetables
- Tempeh Sweet Potato Bowls
- Air Fryer Sriracha Tempeh
- Tempeh Sweet Potato Tacos
- Easy Vegetarian Tempeh Chili
- Tempeh Sloppy Joes
- Air Fryer Tempeh Croutons
- Air Fryer Buffalo Tempeh
- Sticky Sesame Tempeh Recipe
Tempeh BLT
The classic sandwich is reinvented with delicious baked smoky tempeh bacon, lettuce + tomato. This vegan tempeh BLT is SO easy + oil-free!
Ingredients
- For the tempeh bacon:
- 8 ounce of tempeh
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp liquid aminos (sub soy sauce or tamari)
- 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- OPTIONAL but awesome - Make a full second batch of the marinade for cooking the tempeh
- For the sandwiches:
- 4 slices of bread, toasted if preferred
- vegan mayonnaise (to taste)
- lettuce
- tomato
- optional add-ins:
- mustard, avocado, red onion, pickled jalapeno
Directions
- Step 1 Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium pot.
- Step 2 Remove tempeh from packaging, cut it into evenly sized strips.
- Step 3 Add tempeh to boiling water and boil for 10 minutes.
- Step 4 While tempeh is boiling, prepare the marinade by whisking together the liquid aminos, maple syrup, and liquid smoke.
- Step 5 Pour into a colander and fully drain water from tempeh.
- Step 6 Transfer tempeh to a glass dish or bowl where all of your strips can fit in one even layer.
- Step 7 Pour the marinade over the tempeh.
- Step 8 Allow to marinade for 10 minutes up to 8 hours in the refrigerator.
- Step 9 Heat a medium non-stick pan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Step 10 Add marinated tempeh to the pan with all of the remaining marinade in the bowl.OPTIONAL but awesome – add a full second batch of marinade ingredients to the pan, pouring evenly over all tempeh pieces.
- Step 11 Cook the tempeh over medium-low for 10 minutes. Flip the tempeh frequently to ensure every piece is getting browned. Move them around the pan if necessary to ensure even cooking.
- Step 12 Add a tablespoon of water at a time if your tempeh begins to stick to the pan.
- Step 13 Tempeh is done cooking when all sides have a caramelized layer.
- Step 14 Remove from heat, divide into 2 equal portions.
- Step 15 Layer into toasted bread with vegan mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Optional add-ins are optional but awesome. Enjoy!
❤Did you make this Tempeh BLT? Love it? Rate + comment below!
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