Tofu, tempeh & plant proteins · Soy products

Tempeh

Firm cake of whole soybeans bound by a white mould culture; nutty, chewy and slices cleanly for frying.

Also called: tempe

Photo: Veganbaking.net from USA, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-2.0)

What it is

Tempeh comes from Java, Indonesia: cooked, dehulled soybeans are fermented with a Rhizopus mould that knits them into a firm, sliceable cake covered in a white bloom. Unlike tofu, the whole bean is kept, so it is denser, chewier and has a nutty, mushroom-like flavour. Some versions mix in grains or other beans.

How it’s used

Sliced thin and deep-fried until crisp (tempe goreng)
Simmered in sweet soy glazes such as tempe bacem or kering
Crumbled into chilli, ragù or taco fillings
Marinated and grilled or baked in strips

Characteristics

Taste: Nutty and earthy with a faint mushroom note; can be slightly bitter raw.
Texture: Firm and chewy with visible bean pieces.
When cooked: Holds its shape when fried, grilled or braised; steaming for 10 minutes first softens bitterness and helps it take up marinades.
Sold as: fermented, frozen
Cooking uses: Commonly cooked, Suitable for frying, Suitable for grilling
Common in: Indonesian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Storage

Refrigerated. Keep chilled and sealed, or freeze for longer storage. Black or grey spots near the vents are normal sporing; pink, yellow or slimy patches and an ammonia smell mean discard it.

Diet, allergens and safety

Contains Soy.

Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy-free
Egg-free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Soy-free
Caffeine-free

Contains soy, a major food allergen; check labels on flavoured or marinated versions for wheat and sesame too.
Tempeh is normally cooked before eating rather than eaten raw.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy: 192 kcal
Protein: 20.29 g
Carbohydrate: 7.64 g
Fat: 10.8 g
Fibre: — g
Sugars: — g

USDA FoodData Central: Tempeh.

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

Tofu — Use extra-firm, pressed tofu; milder and less chewy, so marinate longer.
Seitan / vital wheat gluten — For a chewy, meaty bite; contains wheat gluten instead of soy.