What is Tempeh + Best Tempeh Recipes - Love and Lemons (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook tempeh so it tastes good? ›

Simmer the tempeh to soften the flavor.

Before using tempeh in any recipe, you can soften its bitter flavor by simmering the cubes for a couple minutes in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove. An alternative to simmering: set a steamer basket in a pot and steam the cubes for 10 to 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.

Serve over rice! So good. Add crispy baked tempeh or tempeh bacon to salads or sandwiches. Serve in tacos, burritos, grain bowls, fried rice, stir fries, pastas, and so much more!

It's basically a soy block you can find in grocery stores sold as an unflavored or pre-flavored rectangle, strips, or crumbles. Just like tofu, tempeh is often used as a plant-based meat alternative. It soaks up flavors like a sponge, is easy to cook, and is always welcome in a sandwich, on grain bowls, or in tacos.

Cooking tempeh kills the bacteria on the outside, but the probiotics on the inside should remain intact. If you want to maintain maximum probiotic benefit, keep your tempeh's internal temperature below 115˚!

To remove bitterness from the tempeh, add to rimmed skillet or 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, pat dry, and cut into thin, bite-size pieces.

It is a complete source of plant-based protein, provides prebiotic fibres and offers a wide range of vitamins and minerals as well as protective plant compounds. Unless you have an allergy to soy, tempeh offers a nutritious option to include as part of a balanced and varied diet.

Tempeh, along with other fermented soy products, is generally considered safe for most people. However, some individuals may want to consider limiting their intake of tempeh. Those with a soy allergy should avoid tempeh altogether. Eating tempeh may trigger an allergic response for these people.

While people with inflammation should generally avoid dairy, soy protein products like tofu and tempeh have been found to reduce pain in joints according to a study from Oklahoma State University. An easy way to add soy to your diet is using soy protein powder.

In Java, tempeh is often traditionally prepared by cutting it into pieces, marinated in a mixture of ground garlic, coriander and turmeric, salt and water; then deep fried, and often served with sambal ulek chili paste.

How long does tempeh keep? Tempeh will keep practically indefinitely in the freezer. In the refrigerator it will keep for about a week before it starts degrading. An easy way to remember: 10 days in the fridge, 10 months in the freezer (hopefully you'll eat it before then though).

Can you eat tempeh straight from the package? ›

Bottom line is, tempeh that is cooked or pasteurized is extremely safe. Raw tempeh can be harmful and has no nutritional benefit compared to cooked tempeh. In Indonesia, the birthplace of tempeh, hundreds of years of experience have shown that tempeh should always be cooked or pasteurized before consumption.

Both tempeh and tofu are highly nutritious and an AMAZING addition to any meal. Tempeh has a higher protein content than tofu (over 40g of protein per pack!) and is higher in fibre (since the whole bean is used). Whereas tofu is slightly lower in calories and fat.

Adding vinegar lowers the pH and prevents the growth of unwanted bacteria. Add the tempeh starter: Sprinkle the tempeh starter over the beans and mix for about a minute to distribute evenly.

As they point out, if tempeh ferments for even just a little too long the bitter flavours of lactic acid bacteria and acetobacter (a microbial companion to vinegar) overwhelm the mushroomy flavour of the rhizopus oligosporus used to make tempeh.

Luckily, throwing tempeh into a steam bath before cooking with it helps to purge the flavours these food-fermenting organisms can leave behind. Which means that your steamed tempeh will be ready to take on whatever flavours you want to give it through marinades, rubs, or sauces!

Our tempeh is totally safe to eat as it is as it has already been pasteurised, we just think it tastes better cooked. So, don't be worried about any health risks to not cooking it thoroughly enough - just cook it to your taste.

While you can't go wrong with either plant-based protein, tempeh is generally considered to be the healthier option due to its rich nutrient profile. It contains more protein, fiber, and vitamins than tofu. Tempeh is also fermented, and fermented foods are easier to digest and provide healthy gut bacteria.