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5.0 from 42 votes

How To Marinate Tempeh (Ultimate Flavor Guide!)

This guide will show you how to marinate tempeh the right way! With 8 different flavors to choose from, you'll never get bored of tempeh again. This easy-to-make protein is perfect for baking, sautéing, air frying, or grilling!

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian , American , Mexican

Ingredients

  • 1 oz pack tempeh 226 g
Smoked Bacon
  • ¼ cup oil 60 mL
  • ¼ cup soy sauce 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup 30 mL
  • 2 tsp liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
Sesame Ginger
  • ¼ cup soy sauce 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp sesame oil 30 mL
  • 2 Tbsp unflavored oil 30 mL
  • 2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar
BBQ
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce 120 g
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 30 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt
Herby Balsamic
  • ¼ cup oil olive oil is great here, 60 mL
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar 60 mL
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp dried basil
Fajita
  • ¼ cup oil avocado oil is great here, 60 mL
  • ¼ cup lime juice 60 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp each cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika
  • ¼ tsp salt
Garlic & Herb
  • ¼ cup oil olive oil is great here, 60 mL
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 30 mL
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
  • ¼ tsp salt
Tandoori
  • ½ cup canned coconut milk 120 mL
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp each paprika, ground coriander
  • 1 tsp each garam masala, garlic powder, cumin, turmeric
  • ¼ tsp salt
Cilantro Lime
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro 20 g
  • ¼ cup oil coconut oil is great here, 60 mL
  • ¼ cup lime juice 60 mL
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cut: Cut tempeh into your desired shape (triangle or cubes are common!)
  2. Steam (optional): To remove the bitterness from the tempeh, place the cut tempeh into a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water, cover, and steam for 10 minutes.
  3. Mix: Choose your desired flavor and stir together all ingredients.
  4. Assemble: Add tempeh to a bowl or plastic bag, along with the marinade. Allow tempeh to marinate anywhere from 1 to 24 hours.
  5. Cook: Fish the pieces of tempeh from the marinade and cook as desired (baked, air fried, or sauteed all work well with marinated tempeh!)