Tempeh is an incredible plant protein and there are so many recipes you can make with tempeh. However, tempeh is also incredibly delicious on it's own and in my opinion, there are really only 4 ways to cook and eat tempeh. Today, I’m going to show you four distinct methods for cooking tempeh. Whether you want a lightning-fast weekday meal or have time to let something simmer to perfection, these techniques will completely change your tempeh game!
🎥 Watch the video tutorial
If you want to see three of these methods in action, check out my viral "how to cook tempeh" Instagram reel or youtube short below where I break them down visually!
1. Marinated Tempeh (Baked or Air Fried)
Marinating is a very modern twist and a highly popular way to cook tempeh for Western audiences. For sure, no Indonesians or Southeast Asians are marinating and baking their tempeh—but it is undeniably delicious!
- How to do it: Infuse your protein by soaking it in a savory marinade for a few hours or even overnight. Once it has absorbed all those rich flavors, you can choose to either pop it in the air fryer or bake it in the oven.
- Get the Recipe: For the full breakdown on the ultimate flavor soak, head over to my step-by-step guide on Marinated Tempeh. I also have Marinated Tempeh Skewers that you can check out!
2. How To Cook Tempeh in an Air Fryer
If you want to drastically reduce the amount of oil you use without sacrificing texture, making air fryer tempeh is the best way to cook tempeh. Because air frying can occasionally dry out the protein, this method shines brightest when you pair it with a vibrant salad dressing or a rich, sticky sauce.
- How to do it: Cut your tempeh into cubes, toss with a touch of oil and seasoning, and air fry until golden.
- Where to use it: It is the absolute perfect addition to a fresh salad recipe like my Vegan Tempeh Salad Bowl or it’s also brilliant for making a crispy base for a traditional Tempe Orek recipe.
- Get the Recipe: For the full breakdown on the easy air fryer method, head over to my step-by-step guide on Air Fryer Tempeh.
3. How to Cook Tempeh the Traditional Way (Shallow Fried)
The most traditional method is shallow frying, and in my honest opinion, it is easily the most tasty! I don’t have a standalone recipe page for this one yet because it is just so beautifully simple.
- How to do it: Add enough oil to a frying pan or skillet to cover about half of your sliced tempeh. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the tempeh and fry for approximately 2 minutes on each side. As soon as it turns beautifully brown and crispy, remove it from the heat and wipe off any excess oil with a paper towel.
- Why try it: I personally love shallow fried tempeh because it becomes so wonderfully crunchy. You can eat it hot right out of the pan with a pinch of salt or toss it into literally any dish you are making!
4. Braised Tempeh (Tempeh Bacem)
If you want an authentic, deeply flavorful experience, braising is a spectacular tempeh recipe technique to add to your rotation. A prime example of this is Tempeh Bacem, which is an incredibly popular Indonesian dish.
⚠️ Take Note: Unlike the quick methods above, this recipe isn't a fast one! It takes some time and patience to let the flavors develop, but the rich, mouthwatering result is entirely worth the wait.
- Get the Recipe: Dive into the authentic, slow-cooked flavors of Indonesia with my detailed Tempeh Bacem (Braised Tempeh) recipe.
- How to do it: Simmer the tempeh slowly in a fragrant mixture of coconut water, palm sugar, and aromatic spices until the liquid reduces into a thick, sweet, and savory glaze.
💡 Bonus: Looking for more Tempeh Recipes?
While you are mastering your cooking techniques, you absolutely have to check out another one of my all-time favorite recipes: Jalan Lombok Tempeh. Watch how I make this mouthwatering dish over on my Jalan Lombok Tempeh Instagram Reel!
Leave a Reply