Marinated Grilled Tempeh Recipe with BBQ Sauce
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Marinated and grilled tempeh is a delicious and versatile plant-based protein. Its nutty flavor combined with the smokiness from the grill is a wonderful way to enjoy this vegetarian protein.
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If you are looking to add more plant-based options to your diet, tempeh is an excellent choice. It is a flavorful, healthy, and versatile addition to any plant-based meal. This grilled tempeh recipe is perfect for adding to salads, rice bowls, and more!
Why you will love this recipe
- Its a versatile and customizable and simple recipe that can be adapted to suit various flavor profiles.
- Grilled tempeh is healthy! It’s rich in protein and nutrients and perfect for a plant-based diet.
Here is what you will need
This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this tempeh recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.
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How to make grilled tempeh
Prepare: Cut the tempeh into strips, mix the marinade ingredients and preheat the grill to medium heat.
STEP 1. Place the tempeh pieces in a shallow dish, pour the tempeh marinade over the tempeh, and marinate for 30 minutes. Remove the tempeh from the marinade.
STEP 2. Place the tempeh strips onto a heated grill grate or grill pan in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes brush with barbecue sauce and flip over. Brush with sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Tempeh – If tempeh is not available, you can use frim or extra firm tofu as a substitute. Be sure to press the tofu to remove excess water then marinate and grill it.
Soy Sauce – This can be replaced with tamari sauce or coconut aminos which are both gluten-free alternatives with similar flavors.
Barbecue Sauce – I like to use homemade BBQ sauce, to make this easy bbq tempeh recipe, but any type of sauce will work.
How to store leftovers
Leftover grilled tempeh can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use leftovers in salads or sandwiches.
Freeze leftover grilled tempeh after allowing it to cool off completely then place it into an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. It can be frozen for up to three months.
Recipe variations
Spicy BBQ Tempeh – Add a kick with a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the barbecue sauce. Consider adding a dash of maple syrup or honey for a sweet and spicy version.
Smoky BBQ Tempeh – Add an extra smoky flavor by adding a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to the barbecue sauce.
Asian Inspired BBQ Tempeh – Add a dash of soy sauce and sesame oil to the barbecue sauce.
Smoky Chipotle BBQ Tempeh – Add a chopped chipotle chili pepper in adobo sauce to the barbecue sauce for a smoky, spicy kick.
Tex-Mex BBQ Tempeh – Add a touch of Tex-Mex flavor with a splash of lime juice, a dash of chili powder and a few diced jalapeno peppers to the barbecue sauce.
Serving suggestions
Serve grilled tempeh as a main dish with a baked sweet potato or brown rice and roasted vegetables or sauteed cauliflower.
Tempeh also tastes great in a salad like this chopped Greek salad or kale salad or make tempeh bbq sandwiches with it.
Try this! Place slices of cooked tempeh on in a soft taco shell or tortilla with chopped red onion, chopped jalapeno peppers, shredded lettuce, and guacamole for bbq tempeh tacos.
Tips
- Be sure that the tempeh is cut into uniform-sized slices to ensure even cooking.
- Use a grill topper or basket to cook the tempeh, it will make it easier to flip and the tempeh will not fall through the grates on the grill.
- Add the barbecue sauce at the very end to prevent the tempeh from burning.
- Tempeh will soak up most of the marinade, but if you have any leftover marinade, brush it on the tempeh just before grilling.
Tempeh is a soybean product that has gone through a fermentation process. It has a nutty and earthy flavor with a unique texture that is slightly crumbly.
To prevent the tempeh from sticking to the grill, make sure the grill grates are well-oiled before you add the tempeh.
The marinade adds a little bit of flavor and moisture, but you can grill tempeh without a marinade. The tempeh may have a drier texture and a milder flavor.
Yes, you can easily make grilled tempeh on top of the stove. After marinating the tempeh, place the tempeh cubes or slices in a heated skillet or grill pan and cook over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes on each side.
You might like these air fryer recipes
Click on serving size to scale this recipe
Find process photos and variations in the blog post:
Grilled Tempeh RecipeEquipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Tempeh
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 tablespoons Barbecue Sauce
Instructions
- Prepare: Cut 8 ounces Tempeh into strips or chunks that are similar in size.
- Mix the 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce, 1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder together in a small bowl.
- Place the tempeh pieces into a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the tempeh and marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Drain the marinade from the tempeh and place them on a preheated grill in a single layer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, brush with barbecue sauce and flip over. Brush with more sauce and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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Great bbq tempeh recipe! We grilled the tempeh on the bbq over 1/4 thick onion slices to avoid the tempeh from sticking to the grill and help make sure it didn’t dry out. We find that there isn’t extra marinate to drain off – it all absorbs into the tempeh. We also put fresh in-season locally grown vegetables (put olive oil on the veggies before grilling, except corn which you can leave the husks on, rinse, pull hanging leaves and silks off, and toss on the grill to let the corn cook in their husk, yum) on the bbq with the tempeh. Have made this recipe twice, we love it, thank you!
Thank you for your comment Leola, I love the idea of grilling the tempeh over onions!
Thank you for your comment Zee, I like to freeze them too for chili in the winter