Maple Smoked Tempeh Bacon
Tempeh is made from whole soybeans fermented into a firm cake, and it has a hearty, nutty bite that holds up to bold marinades. Sliced thin and soaked in soy sauce, maple syrup and a little liquid smoke, it pan-fries into smoky, salty-sweet strips that scratch the bacon itch.
Serve it alongside pancakes, crumble it over a salad, or build the best BLT you’ve had in a while. A quick steam before marinating mellows tempeh’s natural bitterness and helps it soak up more flavor.
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Maple Smoked Tempeh Bacon
Thin strips of tempeh marinated in soy sauce, maple syrup and liquid smoke, then pan-fried until crisp. Smoky, salty and a little sweet: perfect for breakfast plates and BLTs.
Ingredients
Method
- Optional but recommended: steam the whole block of tempeh in a steamer basket over simmering water for 10 minutes. This softens its slightly bitter edge and helps it absorb the marinade. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Using a sharp knife, slice the tempeh into thin strips, about 1/8 inch thick.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, water, liquid smoke, smoked paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Lay the tempeh strips in the marinade in a single layer and turn to coat. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, flipping once. You can also cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Heat the oil in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the strips in a single layer, working in batches if needed, and reserve the leftover marinade.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and crisp at the edges. In the last minute, brush on a little of the reserved marinade and let it sizzle and glaze.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and serve warm.
Notes
Slicing the strips thin is the key to a crispy result; thicker strips will be chewier. Keep an eye on the heat, since the maple syrup can scorch. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 5 days; reheat in a dry skillet to re-crisp. For an easy BLT, layer the tempeh bacon with lettuce, ripe tomato and mayo on toasted bread.
Short on time? Store-bought veggie bacon works in all the same ways, on a BLT or next to your pancakes. Worthington Stripples (in the freezer section) and Lightlife Smart Bacon (in the refrigerated section) are both good options.
