Name: Easy Tempeh Bacon
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 Servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package tempeh; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 0.25 cup apple cider vinegar; 2 clove crushed garlic; 1 tsp liquid smoke; 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tablespoons maple syrup

This Tempeh bacon is a delicious alternative to regular bacon with the classic flavors you’d expect. High in protein and super flavorful, this vegan bacon recipe is so easy to make and a MUST for your breakfast and brunch menus!

Breakfast

20 m

American

Food with Feeling

April 22, 2026

Foodwithfeeling.com

From the Cook

1/6

Easy Tempeh Bacon

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Prep the tempeh by cutting it into very thin slices about 1/8- 1/4 of an inch thick. I got about 35 slices out of my tempeh block. The thickness doesn’t matter too much but you do want it to be on the thinner side.

Make the marinade by whisking together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic, liquid smoke, olive oil, and maple syrup in a shallow bowl. Toss in the tempeh strips and let marinate for 30 minutes or even a few hours.

When ready to cook, pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Line the tempeh strips up on the baking sheet and pour about 1/2- 1 teaspoon of the marinade on each strip of the bacon. Bake for 10 minutes, flip and then bake for an additional 10-15 minutes. Watch it the last 5 minutes to make sure that it is not getting too dark.

Let cool slightly and ENJOY!

Notes

Storing leftovers: Tempeh bacon will last for about one week in the fridge. Place leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator. You can reheat it in a toaster oven or regular oven for about 5 minutes. You can also microwave it or reheat it in a skillet on the stovetop. Or feel free to eat it cold, straight out of the fridge!

Nutrition

My Calorie Intake

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Slice Tempeh Thin for Crispy Edges 🔪
Cut tempeh into 1/8-inch thick slices before marinating to maximize surface area for caramelization and achieve that authentic bacon crispness.
Marinate Overnight for Deep Flavor 🌙
Prepare your marinade the night before and let tempeh soak for at least 8 hours so the liquid smoke, maple, and soy sauce fully penetrate the tempeh's nutty texture.
Pan-Fry in Cast Iron for Even Browning 🍳
Use a preheated cast iron skillet to cook your tempeh bacon at medium-high heat, flipping every 2-3 minutes for uniform golden-brown edges and smoky flavor development.
Reserve Marinade as Glaze 🥄
Brush the reserved marinade onto tempeh slices during the last minute of cooking to create a glossy, caramelized finish that locks in all those umami flavors.
Flash-Chill After Cooking for Crispness ❄️
Transfer cooked tempeh bacon to a cooling rack or paper towels immediately after frying to stop the cooking process and allow steam to escape, ensuring maximum crispiness.