Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon

Mmm, Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon. This gluten-free vegan bacon is one of my favorite recipes yet. In my opinion, anything that tastes like bacon is a good thing. 

Tempeh bacon my favorite of all vegan bacon alternatives. It is what finally convinced me I could go vegan. I had the most amazing BLT with vegan bacon at a local restaurant and it hit all of the right *joy* centers in my brain that I knew I wouldn’t ever miss real bacon again.

Fast forward a few months and I was CRAVING that BLT only to find out it was discontinued….. I was so sad. I was determined to make my own vegan bacon recipe at home. And this Smoky Maple Tempeh Bacon was born.

This crispy “bacon” is vegan and gluten-free with just a touch of sweetness. 

This bacon is a great option for added protein in dishes like Vegan Baked Potato Soup or Vegan Corn Chowder. Or serve it along side these super fluffy Vegan Banana Pancakes or classic Vegan Belgian Waffles for the perfect addition to your vegan breakfast. 

For more easy vegan protein options, try this Crispy Air Fried Sesame Tofu.

Why You’ll Love Tempeh Bacon

• High protein – Only 4 small strips of this crispy vegan bacon gives you over 6g of protein, making it a great way to add protein to any meal, not just breakfast! Another bonus is that this bacon has way less fat than traditional bacon.
• Eat solo or add to recipes – This tempeh bacon is delicious as a finger-food snack, breakfast main or side, or even as a topping for other recipes like Vegan Baked Potato Soup. The options are endless!
• Customizable – Adjust the flavors to add more of a smoky flavor or less maple flavoring – get creative to make it your own!
• Easy meal prep – This recipe makes a big batch, and you can store them for meal prep throughout the week!

Ingredients

• Tempeh – Tempeh is a staple in any plant-based diet. It is made from fermented soy beans and packed with vegetable protein. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Swap for white or rice vinegar if you don’t have apple cider vinegar.
• Maple Syrup – Swap for agave or brown rice syrup to balance the acidity of the vinegar and soy sauce flavors. Note that you will lose the maple flavor, but it will still be delicious!
• Soy Sauce or Tamari – Make sure to select tamari or swap for coconut aminos to keep this recipe gluten-free
• Sesame Oil – You can swap for olive oil, but I think the toasted sesame oil really adds some awesome flavor.
• Liquid smoke – This is responsible for the bacon-y flavors, so don’t omit it!
• Salt – You can reduce or omit this especially if you are not using reduced sodium soy sauce.
• Spices – Garlic powder and smoked paprika add extra flavor to this marinade.

Helpful Equipment

• Airtight container (for marinating in the fridge)
• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper (optional)
• Cutting board

How to Make Tempeh Bacon

First, remove the tempeh from the packaging and slice it into thin strips. You can go as thick or thin as you’d like with these strips, just note that the cooking time may increase for thicker cuts. Thinner cuts will give you a more crispy texture.

Add the cut tempeh strips into an airtight container or shallow dish that is large enough that the pieces can lay mostly in a single layer.

In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, add all of the ingredients for the marinade together and mix. Once evenly mixed, pour the marinade over the tempeh and seal the container. Refrigerate for at least one hour. You can let it marinate overnight for maximum flavor.

After it is done marinating, lay the bacon strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer.

Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip each strip then bake another 8-10 minutes or until crispy.

That’s it! Take the bacon out of the oven, let cool a few minutes (it will get crispier as it cools), serve, and enjoy!

How to Store

• Fridge: Store in an air tight container for up to 7 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months in flat layers separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.

More Tips

• Not Vegan? Use this marinade for chicken or other meats.
• Not a fan of tempeh? Use this marinade for tofu or seitan.
• Gluten-free? As long as you stick with a gluten free tempeh variety (varies by brand), and choose tamari or coconut aminos, you’re all set!
• Want a kick? Add 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper to the marinade for some heat.

FAQ