This BBQ tempeh makes a quick and easy, high protein meal perfect for serving in sandwiches or wraps. Serve it in a rice bowl, or simply as a side dish or appetizer. You can whip up this dish in a skillet in less than 20 minutes! Sweet, smoky, and bursting with flavor.
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Tempeh is a firm block of fermented soybeans that's easy to prepare. Like tofu, it absorbs the flavors of what it is cooked in.
Tempeh, however, has a slightly bitter flavor that requires boiling or steaming to help improve the flavor. I boil my tempeh in a little vegetable broth right in the skillet to get rid of the bitter flavor before frying and then add some sweet and smoky vegan BBQ sauce.
❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
- It's an easy and delicious way to make tempeh.
- It makes a great sandwich or wrap.
- Adds a healthy protein to a stir-fry or rice bowl.
🧾 Ingredients and substitutions
- Tempeh - you can use any variety of tempeh that you wish for this dish.
- Broth - to flavor your tempeh and boil off the bitter taste. You can use a vegetable broth or even a chicken or beef flavored vegan broth.
- Oil - for frying the tempeh, you can use any neutral-flavored oil that you like.
- Vegan BBQ Sauce - any vegan barbeque sauce that you like will work. Many store-bought sauces are naturally vegan, however, I find them to be too sweet, so I like to use my homemade vegan BBQ sauce and adjust the sweetness to my taste.
🔪 Helpful tools
- A skillet to cook the tempeh in.
🥄 Instructions
- Cut the block of tempeh into slices 1 cm thick.
- Place the tempeh in a frying pan and cover with 1 cup of vegan broth.
- Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes until the tempeh has absorbed all of the broth.
- Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil and panfry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Cover with 1 cup of barbeque sauce and simmer for 1 more minute. (You may need to add a tablespoon of water if your BBQ sauce is too thick.)
- Serve in a sandwich, wrap, lettuce wrap, or simply over rice.
👩🏻🍳 Pro tips
- Be sure to boil the tempeh in the broth to take away the bitterness of the tempeh and give more flavor to the tempeh.
🍞 Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes, just be sure to buy gluten-free tempeh. Many varieties of tempeh have other grains mixed in with them, so check the label to make sure you are getting tempeh made from only soybeans.
🧈 Make it oil free
You can make this oil-free, buy omitting the step of adding the oil and frying the tempeh. This adds flavor and a little crispier texture but is not necessary.
🥡 Storage and reheating
Refrigerate: The BBQ tempeh will keep well in the fridge for 3 - 5 days in a sealed container.
Freeze: Tempeh freezes well and can be stored in an airtight bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat BBQ tempeh in the microwave for about 3 minutes, pan-fry with a little splash of water until warm.
🥗 Serving suggestions
This BBQ tempeh is delicious eaten plain as an appetizer or as a replacement for meat in a meal. It also makes a great sandwich, sandwich wrap, or lettuce wrap along with some fresh veggies. I also love to add it to a rice bowl with some steamed or sauteed veggies.
BBQ tempeh is delicious served with some vegan coleslaw either on the side or in your sandwich or wrap.
🌟 More protein-packed recipes
📌 Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for new vegan recipes!
A quick and easy way to cook tempeh with flavorful BBQ sauce for a protein-packed addition to sandwiches, wraps, rice bowls, and more.
- 1 1 (8oz) package tempeh
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil or any neutral flavored oil (optional)
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Cut the block of tempeh into slices 1 cm thick.
-
Place the tempeh in a frying pan and cover with 1 cup of vegan broth.
-
Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes until the tempeh has absorbed all of the broth.
-
Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil and panfry for about 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
-
Cover with 1 cup of barbeque sauce and simmer for 1 more minute. (You may need to add a tablespoon of water if your BBQ sauce is too thick.)
-
Serve in a sandwich, wrap, lettuce wrap, or simply over rice.
Oil-Free
You can make this oil-free, buy omitting the step of adding the oil and frying the tempeh. This adds flavor and a little crispier texture but is not necessary.
Gluten-Free
Many varieties of tempeh have other gains mixed in with them, so check the label to make sure you are getting tempeh made from only soybeans for a gluten-free option.
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