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Tempeh “Bacon”

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks

Protein-packed, fermented tempeh is thinly sliced and infused with a marinade of soy sauce, smoked paprika, and rich maple syrup to mimic the smoky-sweet flavor of the breakfast staple in this easy vegetarian recipe. Serve it with eggs for breakfast, add it to stir-fry, or layer it onto a veggie “B.L.T.”

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 50 pieces

Ingredients

1

/2 cup olive oil

1

/2 cup pure maple syrup

1

/2 cup soy sauce

2

teaspoons smoked paprika

1

teaspoon kosher salt

1

/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1

/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

16

ounces tempeh, cut into about 50 (1/4"-thick) strips

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk oil, maple syrup, soy sauce, paprika, salt, cayenne, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Add tempeh and gently toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 2 hours or up to 4.

    Step 2

    Preheat oven to 400°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange tempeh in a single layer and bake, tossing and basting with marinade after 10 minutes, until tempeh is crispy, 30–33 minutes.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 3

    Tempeh bacon can be made 5 days ahead; wrap tightly and chill.