Smoky Tempeh Sandwich
Hearty and packed with plant-based protein, this smoky tempeh sandwich is perfect for a quick lunch or lazy dinner. Vegan, gluten-free, and so satisfying!
This is my new favorite sandwich filling. To be honest, I haven’t eaten many sandwiches after switching to a plant-based diet. I was always at a loss as to what to put in my sandwich. I love my veggies but know that without a good amount of protein I’ll be hungry again in an hour. Tofu always seemed too soft, like it would just get smushed if I wanted to take it on the go. Beans have to be mashed otherwise they’ll fall out all over the place — but chickpea salad sandwiches are always an easy go-to, maybe I’ll make that next 😛
Tempeh though, if you cook it right, it can be a deliciously wonderful plant-based protein. If you find it has a sour, bitter sort of taste, you’re not cooking it right! Now, I don’t claim myself to be a tempeh queen. I still struggle cooking with tempeh. However, this smoky tempeh turned out delicious! Smoky and savory instead of bitter, crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, mmm.
It can be a little dry if you overcook it though, so watch out. However, coating it in additional sauce after cooking will fix that right away! So if you have leftover marinade, don’t throw it out! And if you don’t have any/enough left for coating, you can use your favorite bbq sauce. Or add some additional condiments/sauces to your sandwich. Play around with different fillings for your sandwich and have fun!
INGREDIENTS
The smoky tempeh requires just 8 ingredients:
- soy sauce ⟶ sub tamari for gluten-free
- Rice vinegar ⟶ sub with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Ketchup ⟶ adds a little sweet umami flavor
- Garlic Powder & Paprika
- Liquid Smoke ⟶ If you don’t have liquid smoke, make sure to use smoked paprika to achieve a “smoky” flavor.
- Olive Oil ⟶ Feel free to try other oils as well (though I don’t recommend coconut or toasted sesame oil as they have strong flavors).
- Tempeh
And then of course you’ll need your sandwich fix-ins. I kept mine pretty basic and used sourdough, lettuce, and tomato. But avocado, mayo, mustard, and pickles are all great options too!
I decided to air-fry the tempeh, (I air-fry everything because it’s so convenient and quick!) but you can also bake or even pan-fry. However, I’ve only tested it with an air-fryer so I can’t give exact instructions for other cooking methods.
More Tasty Tempeh Dishes!
If you try out this recipe, don’t forget to leave a comment down below or tag me on instagram @ellielikes.cooking and let me know what you think! I’m always thankful for any feedback. Happy cooking! And don’t forget to peep the quick and fun video below 🙂
*Recipe updated 11/13/2020.
Smoky Tempeh Sandwich
Ingredients
Smoky Tempeh
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp liquid smoke optional
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 8oz block tempeh
Sandwich
- 4 slices whole grain bread
- 4 tomato slices
- 4 lettuce leaves
- 1 avocado
- condiments of your choice (mustard, mayo, salt & pepper, etc.)
Instructions
Smoky Tempeh
- Optional: Fill a saucepan with an inch of water and bring to a boil. Add tempeh and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes to remove any bitterness and soften the tempeh. Rinse and dry the tempeh, then cut into strips.
- Mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, garlic powder, paprika, liquid smoke, and olive oil in a large bowl or dish for marinating.
- Soak the tempeh in the marinade while you preheat the air fryer to 350°F. If you have time, allow the tempeh to marinate for 30 minutes or even overnight. Save any leftover marinade.
- Once the tempeh has marinated, air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes, flip and brush on some marinade, and cook for another 5-10 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Sandwich
- Toast bread slices if desired. Slice or mash avocado and assemble each sandwich with 1/2 the avocado.
- Place lettuce, tomatoes, and tempeh slices on top. Add any additional condiments as desired, then top with bread slice. Enjoy!
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