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    Home » Main Courses

    Easy Marinated Tempeh + How to Cook Tempeh 3 Ways

    Published: Oct 7, 2019 by Sherri Hall · This post may contain affiliate links.

    These marinated tempeh "steaks" can be grilled, baked or sautéed for an easy meal with a ton of serving options! Made with a simple 5-ingredient marinade, this dish will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for any night of the week!

    Jump to Recipe
    Close up view of grilled tempeh on a white platter garnished with parsley

    I remember the first time I learned about tempeh.

    I was in the vegan refrigerated section of my local supermarket placing the last of the tofu in my cart when someone walked up, excused herself and grabbed an armful of tempeh.

    I was curious as not only had I never tried tempeh before, but I didn’t even know what it was.

    I would just overlook the packages of it as I happily bought my tofu each week.

    So, I asked her about it. Was it like tofu?

    Her response was...it’s better!

    I was skeptical.

    Really? Better than tofu? I sure do love my tofu and its versatility.

    I almost bought it that day, but I decided to stay in my tofu comfort zone.

    overhead view of grilled tempeh on white platter garnished with parsley and red pepper flakes

    Fast forward months later and I find myself at an organic cafe with loads of vegan and gluten-free options.

    I was totally set on ordering a tofu dish until the owner and chef looked at me and said, “Have you ever had tempeh?”

    Hmmm...I wondered, “Do I have some kind of sign on my forehead?

    How does everyone know I’ve never tried tempeh?”

    She suggested I order the tempeh reuben. In fact, she was dead set on it.

    There was no way I was getting out of that place without trying tempeh.

    grilled tempeh garnished with parsley on a white platter

    After my first bite, I was hooked!

    It was like nothing I ever had but absolutely delicious. And so, my love affair with tempeh began...

    But, I’m not the only one.

    After trying it one night at our community grill, my meat-eating husband and our omnivore friends are totally in love with it too.

    Our friends even bought it to make it themselves!

    What is tempeh?

    To me, tempeh is tofu’s fancy cousin. It’s made from fermented soybeans, you know like how grapes ferment into wine...lol 😉

    But seriously, tempeh is a soy-based food that originated in Indonesia. It is made by cooking and fermenting soybeans which are then packed into a firm block. Many brands also add grains and other flavorings.

    Is tempeh gluten-free?

    Not always. The particular variety of tempeh (Lightlife Original) that I used for this recipe is made with organic soybeans, water and organic brown rice.

    Lighlife brand original tempeh in package

    However, it is important to check ingredient labels as it can be made with other gluten-containing grains such as barley or wheat.

    If necessary, due to cross-contamination, your preference may be to use a brand that is certified gluten-free.

    Where to buy tempeh

    I've bought this tempeh at our local supermarket, Publix, as well as Target. When we lived in New Jersey, I used to buy my tempeh at ShopRite and Whole Foods.

    Most traditional supermarkets will carry tempeh; however, you can also buy it at some specialty grocery stores or markets.

    How to make this tempeh marinade

    Use a shallow container that has a tight fitting lid and that is just big enough to fit the tempeh.

    I used a 7.5 x 5 x 1.5 inch rectangular glass Pyrex dish with lid that holds 3 cups (750 ml.) of liquid.

    Add tamari, olive oil, rice vinegar, garlic powder and onion powder and whisk with a fork.

    Tempeh marinade ingredients whisked together in glass dish with a fork

    Preparing the tempeh

    Remove the tempeh from the package and place it on a cutting board.

    tempeh block on a cutting board

    Cut the tempeh in half so that you have two squares of tempeh.

    tempeh cut in half on a cutting board

    Cut each square diagonally so that you have two sets of two triangles.

    tempeh cut into triangles on a cutting board

    Steaming the tempeh

    For all three cooking methods, the first step is to steam the tempeh.

    Steaming the tempeh helps cut back on its bitterness, but doing so also helps it to better absorb the marinade.

    I use the steam feature on my rice cooker, but you can use a steamer basket as well.

    To steam using your rice cooker, add 1 cup of water to the rice cooker pot.

    Then, place the tempeh triangles in the steamer basket.

    tempeh triangles added to steamer basket in a rice cooker

    Close the lid and press the steam or steam cook button (depending on your brand of rice cooker) and select 10 minutes for the steaming time.

    To steam using a steamer basket, boil about 1-2 inches of water in a pot that fits your steamer basket.

    Place the tempeh triangles in the basket and carefully place the basket into the pot.

    Cover and steam for 10 minutes.

    For either method, after steaming, turn off the heat and allow the tempeh to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the rice cooker or steamer basket.

    Marinating the tempeh

    Carefully place each triangle into the marinade in the container.

    tempeh triangles added to marinade in glass dish

    Then carefully flip each piece so that the other side gets covered as well. You can use your hands or gently use a fork to do so.

    Then, seal the container with the lid. Hold the container with two hands with your thumbs tightly securing the lid and gently shake up and down and side to side a few times to fully coat the tempeh.

    shaking the container to marinate the temeph

    Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. You can flip the tempeh triangles again halfway during marinating, if desired, but it’s not entirely necessary.

    How to cook tempeh - 3 ways

    1. Grilled Tempeh

    Using tongs, carefully place the marinated tempeh triangles on a grill that has been prepared for medium heat cooking.

    Spoon or baste whatever marinade is left onto the triangles.

    Grill for approximately 5 minutes on each side, carefully flipping with tongs, until browned and heated through.

    tempeh cooking on the grill

    Garnish and serve as desired. We topped ours with fresh chopped parsley and crushed red pepper flakes.

    grilled tempeh on a white platter garnished with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes

    The grill method is my personal favorite, but baking comes in at a close second.

    2. Baked Tempeh

    To bake tempeh, preheat your oven to 375° F. Place the marinated tempeh triangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

    Spoon or baste any remaining marinade onto the triangles.

    marinated tempeh on a parchment-lined baking sheet

    Bake for 10 minutes. Use tongs to carefully flip each triangle, and then return to the oven for another 10 minutes.

    Serve as desired. We topped ours with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.

    Baked tempeh on a dish garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions

    3. Sauteed Tempeh

    To saute tempeh, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet.

    Add marinated tempeh triangles to the skillet, and spoon on or baste any leftover marinade onto each piece.

    Cook on medium-high for approximately 4 minutes per side, using tongs to flip, until browned and heated through.

    sauteeing tempeh in a skillet

    After cooking and removing from the pan, you can carefully blot the excess oil using paper towels, if desired.

    What to serve with tempeh

    • White or Brown Rice
    • Vegan Mashed Potatoes
    • Air Fryer Broccoli or Roasted Broccoli
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Air Fryer Green Beans

    How to enjoy this marinated tempeh

    You can enjoy it as is with your favorite side as mentioned above, but you can also use it in a variety of dishes.

    For example, cut it up and add it to a salad, put it in a wrap with cabbage and some vegan mayo, have it on a roll with tomato and some vegan slaw, put it in a lettuce wrap with toasted peanuts and bean sprouts, add it to a quinoa bowl with some sauteed veggies such as bell peppers.

    The options are endless!

    More vegan tempeh recipes

    • Maple Dijon Baked Tempeh
    • Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon
    • BBQ Tempeh "Ribs"
    two pieces of grilled tempeh steaks on a white platter with some blurred out behind them
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    5 from 9 votes

    Easy Tempeh Marinade + How to Cook Tempeh 3 Ways

    These marinated tempeh "steaks" can be grilled, baked or sautéed for an easy meal with a ton of serving options! Made with a simple 5-ingredient marinade, this dish will quickly become one of your go-to recipes for any night of the week!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
    Keyword vegan, tempeh, vegetarian, gluten free
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    Marinating Time 30 minutes
    Servings 2 -4
    Calories 271kcal
    Author Sherri Hall

    Ingredients

    • 8 oz block of tempeh (check ingredients to ensure gluten-free if needed)
    • ¼ cup gluten-free, reduced sodium tamari (can substitute with soy sauce if you are not gluten-free)
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil (will need more for saute method; see instructions)
    • 1 teaspoon rice vinegar (can substitute with apple cider vinegar)
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder

    Instructions

    • Cut tempeh into 4 triangles.
    • Steam tempeh using a rice cooker or steamer basket on the stovetop. To steam using your rice cooker, add 1 cup of water to the rice cooker pot. Then, place the tempeh triangles in the steamer basket. Close the lid and press the steam or steam cook button (depending on your brand of rice cooker) and select 10 minutes for the steaming time. To steam using a steamer basket, boil 1-2 inches of water in a pot that fits your steamer basket. Place the tempeh triangles in the basket and carefully place the basket into the pot. Cover and steam for 10 minutes.
    • For either method, after steaming, turn off the heat and allow the tempeh to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from the rice cooker or steamer basket.
    • While tempeh is steaming, make the marinade. Use a shallow container that has a tight fitting lid and that is just big enough to fit the tempeh. I used a 7.5 x 5 x 1.5 inch rectangular glass Pyrex dish with lid that holds 3 cups (750 ml.) of liquid. Add tamari, olive oil, rice vinegar, garlic powder and onion powder, and then whisk together with a fork.
    • Carefully place each triangle into the marinade in the container. Then, carefully flip each piece so that the other side gets covered as well. You can use your hands or gently use a fork to do so.
    • Then, seal the container with the lid. Hold the container with two hands with your thumbs tightly securing the lid and gently shake up and down and side to side a few times to fully coat the tempeh.
    • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. You can flip the tempeh triangles again halfway during marinating, if desired, but it’s not entirely necessary.

    FOR GRILLED TEMPEH

    • Using tongs, carefully place the marinated tempeh triangles on a grill that has been prepared for medium heat cooking.
    • Spoon or baste whatever marinade is left onto the triangles.
    • Grill for approximately 5 minutes on each side, carefully flipping with tongs, until browned and heated through.

    FOR BAKED TEMPEH

    • To bake tempeh, preheat your oven to 375° F.
    • Place the marinated tempeh triangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon or baste any remaining marinade onto the triangles.
    • Bake for 10 minutes. Use tongs to carefully flip each triangle, and then return to the oven for another 10 minutes.

    FOR SAUTEED TEMPEH

    • To saute tempeh, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet. Use tongs to place the tempeh triangles into the skillet, and spoon on or baste any leftover marinade onto each piece.
    • Cook on medium-high for approximately 4 minutes per side, carefully using tongs to flip, until browned and heated through.
    • After cooking and removing from the pan, you can carefully blot the excess oil using paper towels, if desired. 

    (Please refer to the post above for instructional photographs and other helpful information for this recipe)

    Suggested Equipment/Tools

    Rice Cooker
    Steamer Basket

    Notes

    Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I find the best way to reheat the tempeh is to slice it up and sauté in vegetable broth for a few minutes until warmed.
    The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. Accuracy is not guaranteed. Information shown should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
    Nutrition calculation is based on this recipe equaling 2 servings, or 2 pieces per person. Nutrition was calculated using Lightlife Original tempeh. Please note that different brands have different nutritional content.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fiber: 10g
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    ©Watch Learn Eat. All content and images are copyright protected. Recipes and images are not to be used or republished without prior permission. If you adapt this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, and link back to this post for the original recipe.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy Andres

      August 01, 2021 at 12:36 pm

      5 stars
      Love this post Sherri. It's so detailed and helpful. You are one of the stars at my blog, as I included a link and photo to this post today at Colors 4 Health. My blog post is "How to Prepare Tempeh to Make It Vegan Friendly, Flavorful, and Healthful." Hope you and your readers enjoy! Warm regards, Nancy Andres

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        August 01, 2021 at 6:35 pm

        Thanks so much, Nancy! Thanks for including me in your awesome post! I hope it will inspire many to enjoy tempeh! 🙂

        Reply
        • Nancy Andres

          August 19, 2021 at 3:24 pm

          5 stars
          I will be making this recipe for tonight's dinner (roasting) and serving it with baked russet and sweet potatoes that I cook in oven too. Have a beautiful evening and stay safe and well.

          Reply
    2. Marisa

      March 31, 2021 at 12:56 am

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried tempeh before, and tonight I made this recipe! I made the following tweaks: I added 2tsp sugar to the marinade, I baked at 385, and I don’t have anything to steam with so I simmered the tempeh with water for 10min prior to marination. THIS IS AMAZING!!!!! I can’t believe how much I loved it and how tasty it was. Thank you so much for this easy to follow recipe and for helping me experience this amazing food!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        March 31, 2021 at 8:30 am

        So happy you enjoyed the tempeh, Marisa! Thanks so much for sharing your experience and the tweaks you made. Tempeh is definitely a favorite in our house, and I'm so glad you got to try it. Have an awesome day! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Christie

      May 21, 2020 at 4:03 pm

      5 stars
      You may have convinced me to try tempeh! It looks so good and I love that texture. These would be so good in lettuce wraps. Thanks for the idea Sherri!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        May 21, 2020 at 5:24 pm

        That's awesome, Christie! I hope you give it a try! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kim

      April 23, 2020 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good and easy! I took the extra marinade added a little maple syrup and extra soy sauce and drizzled it over the cooked tempeh. It will definitely be a staple for us. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        April 24, 2020 at 1:17 pm

        Thank you so much, Kim! So happy you enjoyed the tempeh! I love the idea of adding the maple syrup...I'll have to try that! Hope you have a great day! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Elida

      January 02, 2020 at 6:21 am

      5 stars
      Those recipes are great 🙂 My mother frequently makes me sayur tempeh, it is an Indonesian cuisine with coconut milk. Maybe you should try to make chips out of tempeh too. It's absolutely delicious!

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        January 02, 2020 at 10:36 am

        Thanks so much, Elida! I will definitely have to try your suggestions! They sound amazing! Hope you have a great day and Happy New Year! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Angela

      October 07, 2019 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      I have always been one to avoid tofu or any of the “weird” vegan or vegetarian type foods. So when my friend asked me to try her tempeh recipe I was reluctant. First of all, I had no idea what it was, but I tried it.... absolutely delicious! I’ve made it with the marinade mentioned above and also baked with bbq sauce. Thank you Sherri for the great tasting recipes ?

      Reply
      • Sherri Hall

        October 08, 2019 at 10:13 am

        Thanks so much, Angela! So glad I was able to share this with you and so happy you loved it and got to make it yourself too! 🙂

        Reply

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    About Sherri

    Founder, Author, Recipe Developer, & Photographer

    With a lifelong passion for cooking, I specialize in creating easy meatless meals that are omnivore-approved!

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