To make this tempeh bacon recipe, you only need a skillet, bowl, and no more than 15 minutes of your time. You’re going to LOVE it. Ready to get started?
When vegans look for a protein substitute, the spontaneous choice is usually tofu. But tempeh is getting more popular, and for good reasons.
If you’re not sure what tempeh is yet, tempeh is another soy product made by partially cooking soybeans and then aging them. The end result is a nutrient-packed product with a nutty, mushroom-like flavor. The best part? Tempeh bacon has tons of health benefits.
Health Benefits
Eases Pelvic Pain
One of the more remarkable benefits of tempeh bacon is that it may help with pelvic health. Dietician Jennifer Cohen states that you should choose a diet that is high in anti-inflammatories, fiber, and healthy fats to take care of pelvic-related pain. Want to guess what has all of those? You’ve guessed it, tempeh.
Tempeh is also considered a low-glycemic food. High-glycemic foods, such as sugar, cake, and processed carbs like white bread, are linked to inflammation. On the other hand, high-fiber and healthy-fats foods with high-quality proteins, like tempeh, will help stabilize your blood sugar and lead to less inflammation.
Tempeh Is Full of Nutrients
Tempeh can be classified as a superfood. World’s Healthiest Foods ranks tempeh’s top nutrients in terms of daily value percentages, and it’s impressive:
- 41% protein
- 73% manganese
- 68% copper
- 48% fiber
- 41% phosphorus
- 31% vitamin B2
- 22% magnesium
Now that you know what tempeh bacon is and its nutrient values, you can see that it is a great food and an excellent way to start your day.
Cooking Tips
- You can use any type of oil.
- Feel free to use other sweeteners, although it’s better if they’re liquid.
- If you have soy sensitivity, you can opt for seitan instead of tempeh and coconut aminos or salt to substitute for tamari or soy sauce.
How to Eat Tempeh Bacon?
Tempeh bacon is the vegan version of real bacon. Although this ingredient is optional, the secret to giving it a fantastic kick is to add liquid smoke or smoke powder when you’re preparing it. Tempeh bacon is just like regular bacon; you can add it to dishes like eggs, salads, or sandwiches to give them that extra protein boost.
Can You Store Tempeh Bacon?
Absolutely. Simply store the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge, and it will last for up to a week.
Ingredients
Making the Marinade:
- 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 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
Making Tempeh Bacon:
- 8 oz tempeh (250 g)
- Extra virgin olive oil for frying the bacon
- A bit of salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl until well blended. Set aside.
- Cut the tempeh as thinly as you can without breaking the slices.
- Dip the tempeh slices in the marinade for a couple of minutes.
- Heat some extra virgin olive oil in a skillet, add the tempeh, and cook for a couple of minutes on each side over high heat until golden brown and crispy.
- Add a pinch of salt and pepper for taste.
- Serve immediately with your dishes of choice.
- Seal the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and store them for 1 week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice of 10
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 109 mg
- Fat: 5.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.6 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
Where Can I Buy Tempeh?
Tempeh can usually be found in the natural section of your local grocery store, in the refrigerated section. It’s not a new product, so they should have it. Lightlife is one of the best brands, but there are a few more to choose from, depending on your area. You can also find it at Trader Joe’s.
Takeaway
There you go! Now get out there and make us proud by making some delicious tempeh bacon. Feel free to add your touch to it – experiment, get creative. Tempeh bacon is tasty and cholesterol-free. It has a fantastic texture, and it’s stuffed with lots of protein, has substantial health benefits, and can be prepared in only 15 minutes!
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