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Home » How-Tos » Tempeh Bacon

Tempeh Bacon

by Iosune - Published March 19, 2015 - Updated June 21, 2019

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Tempeh Bacon

I prefer to make my own food, it’s cheaper, healthier and tastes better because I can use my favorite ingredients. I don’t eat vegan substitutes very often because they’re not healthy and they’re also really expensive in my country. Searching for the perfect vegan bacon recipe I found many amazing recipes, some people use coconut or even eggplant to make facon (or fake bacon), but I thought the tempeh bacon probably taste better and it’s really delicious.

Although this is not the healthiest food in the world, at least, is much healthier than regular bacon and also has less fat and is cholesterol-free.

I used store bought tempeh, but if you make your own tempeh, good for you! I rarely buy tempeh, actually this was the second time I used it. The first time I made these awesome vegan tempeh meatballs. If you have a good homemade tempeh recipe, please share it in the comments!

Tempeh Bacon

This vegan tempeh is really easy to make, you just have to slice the tempeh, mix the marinade ingredients, soak the tempeh slices in the marinade for 1 or 2 minutes and fry them, that’s all! You can also bake it if you want.

Tempeh Bacon

The best oils for frying are those that can be heated to high temperatures before burning. I usually use extra virgin olive oil, but coconut oil is also great. Please avoid refined oils, they’re bad for your health.

Tempeh Bacon

To make the marinade you need: soy sauce or tamari, extra virgin olive oil (or other non refined oil), agave syrup (or any other liquid sweetener), red hot sauce, liquid smoke or smoke powder, ground cumin and black pepper.

You can use any hot sauce you like (Tabasco is great) or even you can add cayenne powder. I know the liquid smoke or smoke powder is not a healthy ingredient, but it’s necessary to get the real bacon taste. If you can’t find it, use barbecue sauce instead (you’ll probably need to add more).

Tempeh Bacon

There are so many recipes you can make with the tempeh bacon, but I used it to make the beautiful vegan Cobb salad you can see in the picture below, I’ll share the recipe soon!

Don’t forget to leave a comment or tag a picture #simpleveganblog on Instagram or Twitter if you make this tempeh bacon, we love your pictures and comments!

Vegan Cobb Salad with Tempeh Bacon

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Tempeh Bacon

★★★★★ 4.6 from 26 reviews
  • Author: Simple Vegan Blog
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x
  • Category: How-To
  • Cuisine: Vegan, American

This tempeh bacon is not the healthiest food in the world, but is much healthier than regular bacon and also has less fat and is cholesterol-free.

Tempeh Bacon
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Ingredients

  • 8 oz tempeh (250 g)
  • 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for the marinade + extra virgin olive oil to taste for frying the bacon
  • 1 tbsp maple or agave syrup
  • 1/2 tsp red hot sauce or 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke or smoke powder (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • Pinch of salt and ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Slice the tempeh as thin as you can without it falling apart.
  2. Mix the rest of the ingredients (except the salt) in a bowl. Soak the tempeh slices in the marinade for 1 or 2 minutes.
  3. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a saute pan and when it’s hot, add the tempeh and cook for 1 or 2 minutes each side over high heat until both sides are browned and crisp.
  4. Lay cooked tempeh on paper towel to cool. Add salt to taste.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Healthy Happy Life

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/10 of the recipe
  • Calories: 75
  • Sugar: 1.3g
  • Sodium: 109mg
  • Fat: 5.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 0.9g
  • Carbohydrates: 3.6g
  • Protein: 4.4g

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About Iosune

Hey, I’m Iosune! I am a recipe developer, writer, and author of Simple Vegan Meals and Simple Vegan Smoothies CookBooks.

Find me on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

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Vegan Cobb Salad

Reader Interactions

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Reader Reviews

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  1. Kathy says

    September 1, 2019 at 19:19

    Delicious and easy. Would make again.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      September 5, 2019 at 11:22

      Hi Kathy! Thanks a lot 🙂

      Reply
  2. Donna says

    August 31, 2019 at 12:44

    I am wondering why you are saying that tempeh is not the healthiest thing in the world ? When I ate a macrobiotic diet years ago – tempeh was considered a very healthy staple to the diet. Thx

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      September 5, 2019 at 11:05

      Hi Donna! No, tempeh is super healthy, what it’s not that healthy is the tempeh bacon if you fry it 🙂

      Reply
  3. Deborah Kenty Perry says

    July 23, 2019 at 08:39

    Why do you say this is not so healthy- tempeh is an excellent food source and this is delicious!

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      August 2, 2019 at 17:34

      Hi Deborah! I wasn’t talking about tempeh, I was talking about liquid smoke 🙂

      Reply
      • Matthew Harris says

        August 28, 2019 at 16:49

        use smoked paprika instead…that’s what i use …

        Reply
        • Iosune says

          September 5, 2019 at 10:58

          Hi Matthew! Yes, it also works great 🙂

          Reply
  4. PatB says

    July 7, 2019 at 06:47

    Can I freeze it after marinating then thaw and fry as needed? We have been making Fakin Bacon BLTs and I keep the LightLife product in the freezer. The Fakin Bacon is expensive so would like to make my own.

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      August 2, 2019 at 13:20

      Hi Patb! I’ve never frozen it myself, so I’m not sure, but I think it could work…

      Reply
  5. AllieKat says

    July 2, 2019 at 05:19

    That’s all good “name here”. My comment is to “can’t you be nice”. Say it in a nice way….hey…we are all learning and you are not better than anyone else…negative thoughts cause ill….think about it….and be kind……………

    Reply
    • Name Here says

      July 2, 2019 at 17:20

      Professionals are held to different standards than the public. If you’re claiming to give out information that directly affects people’s health and wellbeing, it better be accurate and not adverse to their health. Smoke point is a given when advising people on oil choice.

      Reply
  6. Name Here says

    July 2, 2019 at 02:55

    Yeah I’m considering people’s health and well being and NOT giving them cancerous foods. If you work in the industry and are advising people on this, it is imperative that you give them accurate and healthful advice.

    Reply
  7. Kathy says

    June 29, 2019 at 18:27

    Delicious! I steamed first to lessen tempeh bitterness and fried. A real treat. Any hints as to how to slice it thinner?

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      June 30, 2019 at 09:42

      Hi Kathy! Thanks a lot 🙂 Use a mandoline, it’s awesome.

      Reply
      • Priscilla says

        June 30, 2019 at 19:39

        What thickness do you suggest with the mandolin?

        Reply
  8. Annie says

    June 28, 2019 at 21:13

    I use smoked paprika instead of liquid smoke in my recipes and it tastes even better.

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      June 30, 2019 at 09:41

      Hi Annie! Yes, it also works great 🙂

      Reply
  9. Deborah Vail says

    May 2, 2019 at 16:39

    The flavor was spot on , wish it was crispier, going to put in dehydrator to try and crisp up, looking forward to a blt sandwich, mmm

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      May 3, 2019 at 08:32

      Hi Deborah! Have you fried it? Try to slice it even thinner 🙂

      Reply
  10. Danielle says

    March 29, 2019 at 16:41

    Tasty, but next time I’ll omit the cumin. It overpowered the other flavors and didn’t taste authentic to me.

    ★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      April 1, 2019 at 03:00

      Hi Danielle! I think bacon is usually made with cumin, but it’s up to you 🙂

      Reply
  11. Emilie says

    March 29, 2019 at 00:26

    Wow, I just made this and it’s so good. Love that marinade! Gonna go make a BLT now!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      March 29, 2019 at 01:35

      Hi Emilie! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 Hope you enjoy your BLT!

      Reply
  12. Alancia says

    February 12, 2019 at 00:19

    This recipe was a hit with the kiddos!! They barely noticed that it wasn’t bacon and they asked for me to make this recipe again. We put the Tempeh on sandwiches.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      February 12, 2019 at 08:38

      Hi Alancia! So glad they enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  13. Yvie says

    January 30, 2019 at 01:16

    Delicious! I made this tonight and loved it! Does it taste like animal bacon? No. Does it satisfy that craving without harming animals? YEP!

    This was so quick and easy to make – it’s definitely a recipe that’ll be made over and over again! <3

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      January 30, 2019 at 12:02

      Hi Yvie! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  14. Rachel says

    January 9, 2019 at 15:10

    Just exactly what I was looking for, making a plant based Reuben casserole for dinner. This fakin’ bacon added the perfect umami. We don’t use oil and I didn’t miss it in this recipe at all. Thanks Iosune for sharing.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      January 10, 2019 at 08:08

      Hi Rachel! You’re so welcome 🙂 Sounds great!

      Reply
  15. Janet says

    December 4, 2018 at 21:47

    Thanks so much for this easy bacon sub recipe!
    I have yet to make it, but when I do I will replace the hot sauce and smoke products with organic smoked paprika. I just have to pick up some organic tempeh.

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      December 5, 2018 at 09:26

      Hi Janet! You’re so welcome 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  16. Lorianne says

    November 9, 2018 at 12:38

    This tasted so good and was very easy to make.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      November 27, 2018 at 09:21

      Hi Lorianne! I’m so glad you liked it 🙂 Have a nice day!

      Reply
  17. Kathy says

    October 31, 2018 at 15:30

    If I make this the night before, what’s the best way to keep it crisp for the next morning?

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      November 1, 2018 at 08:31

      Hi Kathy! It’s best when fresh, but I keep it in a sealed container in the fridge and then reheat it in a pan with a little bit of oil. Hope it helps!

      Reply
  18. Ramona says

    October 28, 2018 at 14:29

    Thanks for the recipe. As I began my vegetarian lifestyle journey this assisted my bacon craving. I made some fried potatoes with yellow peppers, variety of spices and drizzled this marinate. Deliciousness to the max.

    Reply
    • Iosune says

      October 28, 2018 at 16:40

      Hi Ramona! You’re so welcome 🙂 So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
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