Easy Marinated Tempeh Steaks + How to Cook Tempeh 3 Ways

Jump to:

• Why you'll love this recipe
• What is tempeh?
• Is tempeh gluten-free?
• Where to buy tempeh
• Do you marinate tempeh?
• How to make this tempeh marinade
• Preparing the tempeh
• Steaming the tempeh
• Marinating the tempeh
• How to cook tempeh - 3 ways
• What to serve with tempeh
• How to enjoy this marinated tempeh
• Frequently asked questions
• More vegan tempeh recipes
• Easy Marinated Tempeh Steaks + How to Cook Tempeh 3 Ways

Why you'll love this recipe

• You'll get three ways to make tempeh using a delicious, flavorful marinade
• You only need 5 simple ingredients
• Ready in about an hour or so
• Flavorful tempeh is a great addition to a vegan diet and easy to use in place of or with tofu recipes

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.

However, it is important to check ingredient labels as tempeh 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

Most traditional supermarkets will carry tempeh; however, you can also buy it at some specialty grocery stores or markets, and even a health food store should have it.

Do you marinate tempeh?

Great question. While you could just use tempeh in a different recipe or even enjoy it raw, I find tempeh is the perfect thing to marinate.

It takes on other flavors of your dish so easily, so why not marinate it using your favorite kind of marinade and make a delicious meal out of it? Marinating your raw tempeh is what gives it this delicious flavor.

How to make this tempeh marinade

Use a shallow dish 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.

If you aren't following a gluten free diet, you can use soy sauce instead of tamari.

Preparing the tempeh

Open the package of tempeh.

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

Cut the tempeh in half so that you have two square tempeh blocks.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 heated through and it's a nice golden brown color.

Garnish and serve as desired. We topped ours with fresh chopped parsley and crushed 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 baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Spoon or baste any remaining simple tempeh 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.

Serve as desired. We topped ours 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 hot 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.

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 up the cooked tempeh 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, for some tasty lettuce wraps, add it to a quinoa bowl with some sauteed veggies such as bell peppers, or add it to a buddha bowl. You can even make some tempeh tacos or vegan tacos.

The options are endless!

Frequently asked questions

More vegan tempeh recipes

• Maple Dijon Baked Tempeh
• Air Fryer Tempeh Bacon
• BBQ Tempeh "Ribs"

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