Description
This BBQ Tempeh recipe offers a flavorful and hearty plant-based dish featuring golden-brown tempeh strips coated in a bold homemade vegan BBQ sauce. Perfect for a quick, protein-rich meal ready in just 20 minutes, it’s a delightful way to enjoy smoky, tangy, and sweet flavors with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Tempeh
- 1 8-ounce block of tempeh
- 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil (or avocado oil, or other neutral-flavored oil for cooking)
Vegan BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 batch of Vegan BBQ Sauce (about 1/2 to 2/3 cup) – refer to separate BBQ sauce recipe
Instructions
- Slice the tempeh: Slice the tempeh crosswise into ½-inch thick strips, then place each strip on its side and slice in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces for even cooking.
- Optional steaming: To reduce the strong, bitter flavor of tempeh, steam the slices by placing them in a steamer basket over boiling water for 10 minutes, covered. This step can be skipped as the BBQ sauce flavor is strong enough.
- Prepare for cooking: Line a cutting board or plate with paper towels to absorb excess oil after cooking.
- Cook the tempeh: Heat a 12-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat with 1½ tablespoons of grapeseed oil. Once the oil shimmers, arrange the tempeh slices in a single layer. Cook for 3½ to 4½ minutes until golden brown on the bottom. Brush or spray the tops with the remaining oil, flip, and cook the other side for 2½ to 4 minutes until seared. Transfer cooked tempeh to the paper towels to drain excess oil. Turn off heat and let the pan cool slightly.
- Prepare BBQ sauce: Make the vegan BBQ sauce according to the separate recipe instructions. Unlike that recipe’s full cooking step, you will only simmer the sauce briefly in the next step.
- Coat tempeh in sauce: Return the frying pan to medium-low heat and pour in the BBQ sauce. Cook gently for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring to gently simmer the sauce. If it simmers too rapidly, reduce heat. Add the tempeh back to the pan and stir to fully coat the pieces in the sauce for 1 to 2 minutes until well sauced. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Steaming tempeh is optional but can reduce bitterness.
- Use a neutral-flavored oil like grapeseed or avocado for best results.
- Do not overheat the BBQ sauce on the stove to prevent burning.
- For extra smoky flavor, consider using smoked paprika in the BBQ sauce.
- Serve with your favorite sides such as coleslaw, grilled veggies, or rice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: BBQ Tempeh, Vegan BBQ, Plant-based protein, Tempeh recipe, Quick vegan meal
