Marinated Peanut Butter Tempeh

Tempeh is a soy product that originated in Indonesia. It is made by taking whole soybeans, soaking them until softened, slightly cooking them, and then fermenting them so that they form a solid block. Unlike tofu, tempeh is minimally processed, so the soybeans are intact in the final product. The outside texture of the tempeh has a white film which is totally normal.

A 1/2 cup serving of tempeh has 160 calories, 15 grams of protein, 7 grams fiber, and 2 net grams of carbohydrate.

Tempeh has a slightly nutty flavor and crumbles easily so it makes a great substitute for ground meat in recipes. Tempeh is sold in the refrigerated section of the store near the rest of the meatless options and tofu.

To remove bitterness from the tempeh, add to a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Steam tempeh for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point. Then rinse and pat dry.

Mix marinade by adding sesame oil, peanut butter, tamari, lime juice, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine.

Add the sliced tempeh to the marinade and toss to coat.

Use tempeh the same way you might use tofu or other meat alternatives in recipes like salads, casseroles, soups, etc. Tempeh holds its form well when sliced or cubed. You can also crumble it into smaller pieces and cook it up as an alternative to ground meat in dishes.

Enjoy !

Are you a vegetarian or vegan? What are your favorite plant-based protein foods? Please share this recipe if you like it. 

Marinated Peanut Butter Tempeh

Marinated tempeh coated with a rich and creamy peanut sauce. Serve over rice with leafy greens for a complete meal!

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Prep Time 1 day d

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 day d 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegeterian

Ingredients

  

• 8 ounces tempeh (if GF, ensure gluten-free friendly)

SAUCE

• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil (if avoiding oil, leave this out and add a bit more lime, soy sauce, and maple syrup)
• 2 tbsp unsalted peanut butter (or almond, cashew, or sunflower butter)
• 2 tbsp gluten-free tamari (or soy sauce if not GF)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 3 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

 

• Cut into bite-size pieces. I prefer cutting into small triangles. (The smaller the pieces, the better they can soak up the marinade.)
• To remove bitterness from the tempeh, add to a saucepan filled with 1 inch of water and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Steam tempeh for a total of 10-12 minutes, flipping once at the halfway point. Then rinse and pat dry. Set aside.
• Mix marinade by adding sesame oil, peanut butter, tamari, lime juice, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, lime juice for acidity, or tamari for saltiness. Don’t be shy – you want this extremely flavorful!
• Add the sliced tempeh to the marinade and toss to coat. Then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 24 hours. I found that 24 hours infused the most flavor! While marinating, toss/stir occasionally to ensure even coating. (Tip: Just before baking, drizzle with a bit more maple syrup and tamari for extra flavor. Optional but recommended!)
• Once marinated, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add tempeh and reserve any leftover marinade to brush/coat the tempeh once baked.
• Bake for 22-30 minutes or until caramelized and deep golden brown. Remove from oven and brush/coat with any remaining marinade.
• This tempeh is delicious for adding to Asian-inspired dishes like spring rolls, salads, and noodle dishes! Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Best when fresh.