Tasty Baked Tempeh (4 Ingredients + The Best Cooking Tricks)

Name: Tasty Baked Tempeh Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces tempeh; 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons sriracha ((optional)); 2 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce (preferably low sodium))

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This recipe and guide show you the two tricks that make tempeh taste its best-crispy, flavorful, and packed with protein. Once you try this method, you'll be a pro at preparing this high-protein staple for bowls, salads, soups, wraps, and more. You'll also find more tempeh recipes you'll love. As a Registered Dietitian, I consider tempeh one of the most nutritious plant-based protein options.

Easy baked tempeh meal prep in a white container.

This tasty baked tempeh uses only 4 ingredients and takes just 25 minutes!

Jump to:

🤷🏽‍♀️ What is Tempeh?
🍴 What Does Tempeh Taste Like?
⚕️ Health Benefits of Tempeh
👩🏼‍🌾 Things to Know About Ingredients
🍶 Substitutions
📝 How to Cook Tasty Tempeh in 25 Minutes
Tasty Baked Tempeh Recipe
⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)
✔️ Make Ahead & Storage Tips
🥗 Ways to Enjoy Baked Tempeh
🎛️ More Baked Tempeh Recipes
🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs
🛒 Shop Recipe Cookware and Ingredients
👩🏽‍🍳 Made this recipe?
🍽️ Related Recipes
💬 Comments

🤷🏽‍♀️ What is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian plant-based protein made from fermented soybeans pressed into a firm cake. The fermentation process binds the beans together, giving tempeh its hearty texture and mild, earthy flavor. It also enhances the nutritional profile of the soybeans by introducing beneficial probiotics that support gut health.

You'll find it in the refrigerated section near tofu and other plant-based proteins.

🍴 What Does Tempeh Taste Like?

Tempeh has a nutty, savory flavor and a firm texture that holds up well when cooked. Because of the fermentation, some people notice a slight bitterness at first. A quick simmer before seasoning is the easiest way to mellow that taste and improve its ability to absorb flavor.

⚕️ Health Benefits of Tempeh

Tempeh is a nutrient-dense plant-based protein made from whole soybeans. Because it's minimally processed and fermented, it offers a mix of protein, fiber, and naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. Many people enjoy tempeh as part of a balanced diet for its combination of nutrition, versatility, and satisfying texture.

Here are some general qualities people appreciate about tempeh:

• Provides plant-based protein from whole soybeans
• Contains dietary fiber, which supports overall balance in meals
• Naturally offers vitamins and minerals present in soybeans
• Fermentation gives it depth of flavor and a hearty texture
• Makes plant-forward meals more substantial and satisfying

👩🏼‍🌾 Things to Know About Ingredients

Below, I've included notes on the ingredients from the perspective of a nutrition expert and a trained chef. For a complete list of ingredients and quantities, please refer to the recipe card below.

Tempeh, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and sriracha.

Tempeh: Tempeh has a firm, hearty texture that holds up well when baked. The fermentation gives it a mild nutty flavor. Simmering softens it and removes any slight bitterness, allowing the seasonings to be absorbed more easily.
Tamari or Soy Sauce: Adds salty, savory depth and seasons the tempeh throughout. Low-sodium versions work well, too.
Garlic powder: An easy way to add warm, savory flavor that coats the tempeh evenly. It blends well with the tamari for a simple, balanced seasoning.
Nutritional Yeast: Adds a slightly cheesy, umami-rich flavor and helps create a light crust on the tempeh as it bakes. It also allows the seasoning to cling to the torn edges. Fortified nutritional yeast includes added B12, and non-fortified is just the pure flakes. Both work well-use whichever you prefer. My tested favorite brands are linked here.

See the printable recipe card below for quantities.

🍶 Substitutions

Tamari or soy sauce: Use coconut aminos for a soy-free option. It adds a slightly sweeter flavor but works well.
Seasonings: Use your choice of seasonings, including onion powder, chipotle powder, paprika, or poultry seasoning
Nutritional yeast: Leave it out if needed. Add smoked paprika or a pinch of chili powder for a more savory flavor.
Olive oil: Add a drizzle to get the tempeh even more moist and crispy
Sriracha: Use any hot sauce you enjoy, or skip it entirely if you prefer a mild version.

📝 How to Cook Tasty Tempeh in 25 Minutes

This is an overview. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.

Simmering two blocks of tempeh in a saucepan.

Simmering tempeh helps remove its natural bitterness and improves its texture. A quick 7-minute simmer in water or broth softens the tempeh, allowing it to absorb marinades more effectively. For extra flavor, some people use vegetable broth or add a splash of vinegar during simmering.

Break the tempeh into chunks by hand rather than cutting it with a knife. This creates more texture and flavor. The uneven edges and natural grooves help marinades and seasonings to penetrate even more, making each bite more flavorful. This method also gives the tempeh a more rustic, hearty feel, perfect for absorbing sauces and crisping up beautifully when baked or pan-fried.

Crumbled tempeh with seasonings in a glass bowl.

Marinating tempeh in tamari, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and sriracha creates a bold, umami-rich flavor with the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and slightly cheesy notes. You can add a drizzle of olive oil for extra crispiness and moisture-a little goes a long way in helping the tempeh brown beautifully while keeping it tender inside.

Baking is a healthy way to enjoy tempeh, but be careful not to overcook it, as burning can lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). For a quicker, crispier option, air fry at 380°F for about 10 minutes instead.

Enjoy immediately, or once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Baked tempeh cubes, shredded red cabbage, ribbon carrots, edamame, chopped green onion, quinoa, chopped mint, and peanut dressing in a white bowl.

Use tempeh to transform your soups, salads, and grain bowls into high-protein meals. This Crunch Salad with Tempeh has 35 grams of protein per serving!

⚖️ Convert the Recipe to Metric (g & mL)

Use these AI tools to do this:

✔️ Make Ahead & Storage Tips

Here are some tips for making Baked Tempeh ahead of time and keeping it fresh:

Make Ahead: For a deeper flavor, marinate the tempeh for a longer time. After seasoning it with tamari, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, and sriracha, let it sit for an hour-or overnight.
Storage: Store baked tempeh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp edges.

🥗 Ways to Enjoy Baked Tempeh

Salads: Toss crispy tempeh into leafy greens, cabbage salads, or veggie bowls for protein and crunch.

Cooked quinoa, crispy tempeh pieces, edamame, grated carrots, chopped yellow bell pepper, sliced red and yellow grape tomatoes, and kale mixed in a white bowl.

Three mason salad jars layered with dressing, chopped yellow bell peppers, grape tomatoes, shredded carrots, baked tempeh, quinoa, and baby kale.

Grain Bowls: Serve with quinoa, quinoa-rice, or farro, roasted veggies, and a healthy dressing.

Wraps & Sandwiches: Layer into lettuce wraps, veggie flatbreads, or sandwiches for a hearty, plant-based filling.

Soups & Stews: Add to vegetable soups and stews to boost protein and texture.

Stir-Fries & Curries: Toss into stir-fries or simmer in curry sauces.

🎛️ More Baked Tempeh Recipes

A classic way to use tempeh is to cook it bacon-style, like in this High-Protein Plant-Based Tempeh Sandwich with crispy, smoky tempeh bacon.

Vegan tempeh sandwich with tomato, lettuce, wholegrain bread, and avocado with a plate of tempeh bacon, one half avocado, and vine tomatoes in the background.

This 35g Protein Crunch Salad with Tempeh doubles as a warm grain bowl. It is delicious both warm and chilled.

Try my High-Protein Steamed Vegetable Bowl (Gado Gado) with 32 grams of plant-based protein per serving, combining tender-crisp vegetables, edamame, and baked tempeh.

This High-protein Tempeh Quinoa Salad with crunchy baked tempeh is healthy and delicious. It's packed with iron, vitamins, and longevity-boosting ingredients.

Vegan Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with crispy roasted chickpeas and baked tempeh, massaged kale, and a creamy tahini dressing is a healthy, easy, and budget-friendly meal.

For more healthy tempeh ideas, visit my Vegan Tempeh Recipes page.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Recipe FAQs

Is tempeh healthier than tofu?

Tempeh offers more protein and more fiber per serving than most tofu. A typical serving has about 18g protein and 6g fiber, compared to super-firm tofu's 14g protein and 2g fiber. Tempeh is also fermented, and while cooking reduces some of the live cultures, many of the fermentation-related benefits remain. Both are nutritious, but tempeh is the higher-protein, higher-fiber, more gut-healthy option.

Do I need to simmer tempeh before baking?

Simmering tempeh before baking or cooking is a simple technique that helps remove its natural bitterness while enhancing its texture and ability to absorb marinades. Tempeh has a slightly earthy, sometimes bitter flavor due to the fermentation process, but a quick simmer in water or broth for about 10 minutes mellows this taste. This step also softens the tempeh, allowing it to soak up seasonings more effectively, resulting in a more flavorful final dish. Some people prefer simmering in vegetable broth or adding a splash of vinegar to enhance the flavor. Whether steaming or simmering, this extra step can make a big difference in creating a delicious, well-seasoned tempeh dish.