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    Home » Recipes

    Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich with Creamy Kale Slaw

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    This Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is full of flavor and topped with creamy kale slaw. Healthy, meaty, so satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Guaranteed to please any meat-eater.

    bbq tempeh sandwich on table

    Meet the Ultimate Sandwich. This smoky and spicy BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is creamy, crunchy, gooey, and a plant-based dream. Loaded with protein with full of flavor it’s the perfect summer recipe.

    Sliced tempeh strips are slathered in my homemade barbecue sauce, topped with crunchy kale slaw, and then nestled softly between a hearty whole-grain bun. These sandwiches are savory and smoky with a subtle taste of sweetness. You get the best of all flavor worlds!

    They’re also quick, easy, and use simple everyday ingredients.

    If you thought vegans ate only salads, think again! This vegan BBQ tempeh sandwich recipe is so hearty and delicious that even meat-eaters will drool.

    Let’s go!

    tempeh slices

    Table of Contents

    • What Is Tempeh?
    • Homemade Barbecue Sauce
    • How To Make BBQ Tempeh
    • How To Make BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches
    • Tips, Notes, and Substitutions
    • More Delicious Vegan Recipes
    • BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches with Creamy Kale Slaw

    What Is Tempeh?

    Tempeh is made from cooked and slightly fermented soybeans. The fermentation process helps to break down the phytic acid in soybeans, making the starches in tempeh easier to digest. After fermentation, the soybeans are formed into a firm patty. Read more HERE.

    Tempeh is an excellent meat replacement and source of protein for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone following a whole-food, plant-based diet.

    sliced tempeh on cutting board

    Homemade Barbecue Sauce

    You can use your favorite sauce, but I always recommend making your own. It’s healthier and cheaper, and you are able to control the flavor to suit your taste. And, it’s super easy.

    All you need are a few basic ingredients like ketchup, maple syrup, paprika along with a few other spices, and some liquid smoke. You can find my DIY BBQ Sauce here.

    How To Make BBQ Tempeh

    If you plan on using homemade sauce go ahead and make that at this point. Next, preheat your oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Slice the tempeh into ¼″ strip, dip them into the BBQ sauce until they are well coated, and lay them out evenly on the prepared baking sheet.

    Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes. I like to wait until I see the sauce bubbling and there are some charred edges on the tempeh slices.

    This is the quick version but feel free to check out my BBQ Tempeh Ribs as well. It’s a little more involved.

    bbq tempeh on baking sheet

    How To Make BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches

    Once the tempeh is ready it’s time to make the sandwiches. Hallelujah!

    Lay a few slices of avocado, tomatoes, or pickles on the bottom half of the bun to start. I prefer avocado…just sayin’… Then, add a few strips of the BBQ tempeh on top.

    bbq tempeh on bun

    Now, grab a handful of my creamy Vegan Kale Slaw and pile it high on top of the tempeh. Made with kale, red onion, cashew mayo, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and julienned carrots, it adds an amazing flavor and texture to this sandwich.

    If kale is not your thing then try my classic vegan coleslaw made with regular cabbage.

    kale slaw on top of bun

    Now, all that’s left is to add the top half of the bun and crush it!

    Serve it up with some of my vegan macaroni salad, vegan potato salad, or baked beans for one amazing summer BBQ party!

    bbq tempeh sandwich

    Tips, Notes, and Substitutions

    If you can’t find tempeh or just don’t like it, extra firm tofu is a great option. Also, some people feel tempeh is a little bitter, but boiling it for 10-15 minutes will remove most of the bitterness.

    If you don’t want to use the buns try using lettuce and making some amazing wraps.

    Any leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. BBQ tempeh can be frozen for up to 2 months.

    bbq tempeh sandwich sliced in half

    More Delicious Vegan Recipes

    • Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon
    • Easiest Vegan Black Bean Burgers
    • Grilled Corn on the Cob
    • Barbecue Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers (Vegan)

    Enjoy these BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches with Creamy Kale Slaw and please leave a comment below with a star rating. And, be sure and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #shaneandsimple. I want to see your work. Enjoy!

    Print
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    BBQ Tempeh Sandwiches with Creamy Kale Slaw

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    Print Recipe

    This Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is full of flavor and topped with creamy kale slaw. Healthy, meaty, so satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Guaranteed to please any meat-eater.

    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 package (8-ounces) of tempeh, cut into ¼” strips
    • 1 batch of Homemade BBQ Sauce

    For Serving

    • Vegan Kale Slaw
    • 4 whole-grain hamburger buns or rolls
    • 1 large avocado, sliced tomato, or pickles (optional)

     

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Slice the tempeh into ¼″ strips, add ¾ cup of BBQ sauce to a large bowl, add the tempeh and toss until the strips are completely covered with sauce.
    3. Lay the tempeh out on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. I like to wait until I see the BBQ sauce bubble and the edges of the tempeh have charred a bit. 
    4. Assemble the sandwich: place 6 slices of tempeh on the bottom slice of the bun or roll, top with kale slaw, drizzle with more BBQ sauce if desired, and cover with the top half of the bun. Repeat and make the remaining sandwiches. (NOTE: If using avocado or tomato place those on the bottom bun first followed by the tempeh.)
    5. Enjoy!

    Equipment

    Parchment Paper

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    Tongs

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    Nonstick Skillet

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    Baking Sheet

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    Notes

    If you can’t find tempeh or just don’t like it, extra firm tofu is a great option. Also, some people feel tempeh is a little bitter, but boiling it for 10-15 minutes will remove most of the bitterness.

    If you don’t want to use the buns try using lettuce and making some amazing wraps. 

    Any leftovers can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. BBQ tempeh can be frozen for up to 2 months.

    • Author: Shane Martin
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 20 minutes
    • Category: Vegan Main Dish
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: Vegan
    • Diet: Vegan

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
    • Calories: 151
    • Sugar: 8.9 g
    • Sodium: 401.7 mg
    • Fat: 3.2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 15.4 g
    • Fiber: 5.1 g
    • Protein: 11.1 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: bbq tempeh, bbq tempeh sandwiches, vegan bbq sandwiches, plant-based recipes

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    « Easy Vegan Kale Slaw
    30+ Vegan Recipes For Grilling, Barbecue, & Picnics »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mike K

      July 24, 2022 at 3:09 pm

      Great stuff Shane! This was delicious. So psyched to add a mayo to the repertoire of this 6 week old plant based dude.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Shane Martin

      June 10, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      This Vegan BBQ Tempeh Sandwich is full of flavor and topped with creamy kale slaw. Healthy, meaty, so satisfying, and absolutely delicious! Guaranteed to please any meat-eater.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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