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Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

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I love Tempeh Bacon! It’s sweet, savory, full of flavor and protein, and super easy to make. This vegan bacon is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or making a delicious vegan BLT.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

What Is Tempeh

Tempeh is fermented whole soybeans, packed with protein and it’s been around a long time. I know it doesn’t sound so exciting right now, but just wait until you try this tempeh bacon recipe.

Think of tempeh as the awkward second cousin of tofu. Tempeh is not very exciting or tasty on its own, but marinate it and there’s no stopping it. It’s a great and hearty meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans.

What Is Tempeh Bacon

It’s exactly how it sounds.

We take the tempeh, slice it, marinate, and cook it. Will it taste exactly like real bacon? No. How about the same texture as bacon? No. And, why? Because it’s not real bacon.

But, it will satisfy the senses and the urges you might have in a much healthier way. And, without the pork.

And, as an added bonus, this vegan bacon won’t clog your arteries and eventually kill you. #winning (I realize hashtags don’t work on websites)

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

How To Make Tempeh Bacon

Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that the marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.

Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let the tempeh marinate in the fridge overnight.

Now, preheat oven to 350 degrees, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and layout tempeh on a baking sheet.

Place the tempeh in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place it back in the oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. The cooking time will depend on the oven.

Remove the tempeh bacon from the oven and serve immediately.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

How To Cook Tempeh Bacon

You can bake or pan fry. But, obviously, I prefer baking it.

Baking it is less messy and requires no oil. Which is what I’m about here at Shane & Simple.

What To Serve With Vegan Bacon

  • Vegan Blueberry Pancakes
  • More vegan pancakes
  • Tofu Breakfast Scramble
  • Overnight Vegan French Toast Casserole

Also, try my Oil Free Oven Roasted Potatoes and Vegan Sausage recipe if you’d more vegan breakfast dishes.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

I hope you enjoy this tempeh bacon recipe. It’s…

  • Sweet
  • Savory
  • Smoky
  • Easy to make
  • Loaded with protein
  • Full of flavor
  • & Delicious

Tempeh TIPS: The longer the bacon marinates the more flavor it will absorb from the marinade. Also, tempeh tends to be a little bitter right out of the package. You and soften that by steaming or boiling it for 10-15 minutes.

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon


Be sure and let me know if you try this recipe! Leave a comment, take a picture, post it on Instagram and tag the photo #shaneandsimple so I can see your dish. If you want to be kept up to speed on all that’s going down with Shane & Simple and my latest recipes SUBSCRIBE HERE!

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Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon


★★★★★

4.8 from 4 reviews

  • Author: Shane Martin
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This Tempeh Bacon is absolutely delicious and super easy to prepare. It’s sweet, savory, smoky, and delicious! Pile it high in sandwiches, on top of salads, or anywhere you’d normally put bacon.


Scale

Ingredients

Tempeh

  • 1 8-ounce package of tempeh

For The Marinade

  • ¼ cup Tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (make sure it’s vegetarian)
  • 2 tsp. smoked paprika or paprika
  • 1 tsp. liquid smoke (or preference)
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne

Instructions

  1. Add all marinade ingredients into a small bowl and mix well to combine. Then, pour into a container large enough that marinade and tempeh will just fit. Not too large, not too small.
  2. Carefully slice the tempeh into thin strips and place in the marinade, and make sure each piece is coated. Marinate for at least 20 minutes. If you can wait, let marinate in the fridge overnight.
  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or non-stick aluminum foil.
  5. Layout tempeh on baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, flip over, evenly pour the remaining marinade on the tempeh. Place tempeh back in oven and cook for another 15 minutes or until most of the marinade has evaporated. Cooking time will depend on oven.
  6. Serve.

Equipment

Parchment Paper

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Baking Sheet

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Notes

Tempeh can have a somewhat “bitter” flavor to it, which I like. But, if you want a milder tempeh you can simply boil or steam it for about 10-15 minutes. Mellows it out.

  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Keywords: tempeh bacon, vegan bacon, sweet, savory, breakfast, vegan breakfast recipes, plant based breakfast recipes, plant based

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @shaneandsimplecooking on Instagram and hashtag it #shaneandsimple

Previous Post: « The Best Vegan Mashed Potatoes
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julianne Rachel Sinak

    January 31, 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Thank you for this! I’ve made this recipe twice this month since I found your blog. It adds the best flavor and dimension to my lunch veggie bowls. Excited to try more of your recipes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      January 31, 2018 at 12:27 pm

      Julianne,
      Thanks so much for you kind words and encouragement! I really appreciate you reaching out and taking time to share that with me. Peace and feast. Peace, Shane

      Reply
  2. gloria

    April 19, 2018 at 3:25 pm

    Just made my 1st batch! Love the seasonings. I forgot to cut up the tempeh before marinating it so some pieces were kinda white. I let it marinade for almost 2 days only because I forgot about it. I broiled it for a few minutes to get it a little more crispy before eating. Lastly, next time I will make extra marinade to keep it moist before broiling. Overall, I’d say it’s a keeper! Thanks.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      April 19, 2018 at 4:28 pm

      Thanks, Gloria! Glad you enjoyed it and love the idea of broiling it. Blessings!

      Reply
  3. Shane Martin

    April 29, 2018 at 10:08 pm

    Sorry, Debbie. Tempeh isn’t for everyone, but I do appreciate you giving it a go. Blessings.

    Reply
  4. Kristina

    August 21, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    I just finished eating a grilled cheese sandwich with strips of this homemade smokey maple bacon and I am in love!!! It was easy and it’s absolutely delicious! Thank you soooo much!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      August 21, 2018 at 10:06 pm

      Kristina, thank you so much and so glad you liked it! Peace and feast.

      Reply
  5. Ali

    April 27, 2019 at 7:23 pm

    This is a fantastic marinade. Whole family loves it. We use it on tempeh then use what ever is left over on tofu. I hope you don’t mind if I link to it as one of my favorites πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      April 27, 2019 at 9:37 pm

      Ali, thanks so much! I don’t mind at all and would be totally honored:) Blessings.

      Reply
  6. Jessica D Trotter

    February 07, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    What brand of tempeh do you use?

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      February 07, 2020 at 8:48 pm

      Usually Lightlife or Soy Boy. But, that’s what’s readily available at the stores I go to.

      Reply
  7. David Pollock

    May 04, 2020 at 10:36 am

    Look like a good receipe but marinating in a plastic tub sends a not so good message. Try replacing picture with a glass container.

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Kathryn Gannon

      September 15, 2020 at 6:54 am

      What’s wrong with a plastic tub?

      Reply
  8. Kathryn Gannon

    October 10, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    Do you steam the tempeh before or after the marinade?

    Reply
    • Shane Martin

      October 10, 2020 at 3:48 pm

      No. But, you can. It makes it less bitter.

      Reply

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