Black Pepper Tempeh Bacon Recipe - Yup, it's Vegan (2024)

FAQs

What is tempeh bacon made of? ›

Temeph is made from fermentd soy beans and has a kind of nutty flavor. It's also got a great texture and really soaks up flavor! Olive oil: Since bacon has fat, it's good to add some olive oil to boost the rest of the flavors and help make the tempeh crispy.

Vegetarian bacon can also be made at home by marinating strips of tempeh or tofu in various flavorings, such as soy sauce or liquid smoke, and then either frying or baking. Aficionados of raw food also use coconut meat as a bacon substitute. Seitan can also be formed into vegetarian bacon.

Tempeh bacon is a good source of protein and fiber. It is also low in fat and calories, making it a healthy option for those who are watching their weight. Tempeh bacon is also a good source of iron and magnesium.

Tastes so much like bacon!

Here, a blend of pantry-staple ingredients is used to give you a tangy, sweet, spicy, salty, and smoky marinade. The result? Tempeh bacon with the same rich, smoky flavors as traditional bacon. Another factor in creating a vegan bacon alternative is the texture.

Since tempeh is plant-based, it is both vegan and vegetarian-friendly, making it a common food to include in alternative diets. Below we'll cover everything you need to know about this unique food, including how to cook and use tempeh, and how it compares to similar plant-based food options.

Whether you're a vegetarian or not, it can be a nutritious addition to your diet. Tempeh is a versatile ingredient that comes with a variety of health benefits. It's high in protein, prebiotics, and a wide array of vitamins and minerals.

Plant-based meats tend to be lower in saturated fat and calories compared to their traditional counterparts. They tend to be high in sodium, but are generally healthier than animal-derived meat when eaten in moderation, as part of a balanced diet.

Vegan bacon could therefore be seen as a better alternative to pig bacon, but that's not to say it's a healthy food product. Plant-based meats are ultra processed foods, and they also tend to be high in salt. They are, however, lower in saturated fat, and don't contain the same preservatives as pig bacon.

Yes, vegan bacon is typically lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than regular bacon. It also often contains fewer calories and is free of animal products.

We like their smart bacon – it cooks easily, gets crispy; however, it does lack some of that traditional bacon flavor. With the Smoky Bacon Tempeh, the flavor was so much more there, but we don't seem to like tempeh personally.

Is it OK to eat tempeh everyday? ›

“It's completely safe and healthy to eat up to two to three servings of soy products, such as tempeh, daily,” says Palmer. Of course, if you're allergic or sensitive to soy, you'll want to avoid it.

Start by sticking to a single three-ounce serving a few days per week, and slowly increase your intake as tolerated. Because tempeh is made from soybeans, those with a soy allergy should avoid tempeh altogether.

You should avoid tempeh if you have a soy allergy. There is some concern that soy may affect how your thyroid works or how you absorb thyroid medication. To be safe, you should talk to your doctor about eating tempeh or other soy products if you have a thyroid disorder.

Food Safety at Home

Raw tempeh should be handled with care before cooking, just like raw chicken, beef, or shellfish, so that bacteria doesn't get on ready-to-eat ingredients. To be eaten safely, raw or unpasteurized tempeh must be thoroughly cooked.

As a result of their different production processes, tempeh and tofu have differing textures. While tofu is smooth and soft, tempeh is firm, dense, and chewy. The taste also differs: tofu is bland and neutral and tempeh is a little more earthy and nutty.

It is high in protein and less processed than tofu, making it a perfect whole food, plant-based ingredient.

Tempeh is made out of fermented soybeans. I know what you're thinking: fermented soybeans don't sound delicious! But trust me when I say that they are. Tofu is also made out of soybeans, but tempeh is a lot different.