Tempeh BLT Sandwich Recipe

In the last five years there has been a huge influx of people dabbling with more plant-based eating.  Whether it's health, the environment, saving the animals, or saving money, plant-based eating is on the rise.  In fact, it's become so common that its just as easy to make a plant-based swap in a recipe as it is going from ground beef to ground turkey.  We eat a lot of  plant-based meal in our house.  I am pretty much exclusively plant-based due it an auto immune disease I have, but my husband still loves his meat and potatoes.  So it's been fun for me to create meals that we both can eat, but he will still love!  My Tempeh BLT Sandwich Recipe is one such meal.  

Now, before I get ALL THE HATE COMMENTS, I am in no way claiming that this is a total dupe for bacon, it's not.  IT IS however a great substitution because you get the great smokey flavor that you love in bacon with some amazing plant-based proteins.  And you don't have to be vegan or vegetarian to enjoy it.  maybe you are trying to watch your cholesterol, or trying to save money on groceries, but you still want BLT.  This is the perfect substitution.  Anyway, I digress.  I'm going to let this recipe speak for itself.  

Let's Get Started!  

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THIS RECIPE:

• 1 (8 oz) package of Tempeh
• 1/4 cup No-Beef Broth (or vegetable broth)
• 1/4 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbsp Agave, Brown Sugar, or Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp Liquid Smoke
• 1 tsp Gravy Master (optional)
• 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika (smoked paprika if you don't have the liquid smoke)
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

I know what you're thinking. Mandee, that's a lot of ingredients. Well, yes, but as you will see below, tempeh has no flavor of it's own, so if you want that great bacon flavo,r you have to build it.

WHAT IS TEMPEH?

Originating from Indonesia, tempeh is a fermented soy product that is made from cooked, whole soy beans that are then steamed and pressed into cakes.  The cakes are then aged for 2-6 weeks.  Tempeh has a firm texture and nutty flavor.  It is gluten-free and is often used as a meat substitute because it is PACKED full of protein, a whopping 34 grams!   

WHY DOES TEMPEH WORK FOR THIS RECIPE?

Tempeh is perfect for this recipe because it works a lot like tofu in the sense that it has no real flavor of it's own, but it works like a sponge, taking on the flavor of whatever you season it with.  

It's also a lot more firm that tofu, so it stands up to the shallow fry, bake, or air fry required to get it crispy.  

IS THE TEMPEH SUPER CRISPY LIKE BACON?

No.  It does have a little crisp because of the fry, but it has more chew than crunch.  I still stand by the fact that, if for some reason you don't eat meat or can't eat meat, it's a great substitution.  

IF I'M NOT VEGAN/VEGETARIAN WHY SHOULD I EAT THIS?

Well, one it's WAAAAAY healthier than bacon.  It's high in protein, high in fiber, and low in fat.  Why wouldn't you?

Also, its's much more cost effective than bacon right now.  A pound of bacon, great value brand at Walmart, will cost you around $5.  1 Block of tempeh will cost you under $3.  

Okay, if you have any more questions feel free to ask my in the comments, but for now let me show you how I make it.