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How to Make Vegan Tempeh Crumbles or Cubes

By Jen

Tempeh is a super versatile, plant-based protein, with a firm texture that provides a satisfying “chew” to your meal. It has a mild, slightly earthy, nutty flavor, but takes on the flavor of whatever spices, sauces, and condiments you add to it.

What is tempeh, anyway?

Tempeh is essetially cooked and slighlty fermented soybeans which have been pressed into a cake-like block form. You can often find this high-protein plant food in many supermarkets, typically stocked near the produce, alongside tofu.

If you are new to adding plant-proteins to your weekly menu, tempeh is a great place to start. It’s easy to prepare, and its almost firm, meat-like chew will satisfy even the most hesitant of meat eaters.

Got chronic inflammation? Tempeh can help!

A 2021 clinical study has demonstrated that diets rich in fermented foods like tempeh increase the diversity of your gut microbes (yay for gut health!) and also decrease signs of molecular inflammation. In this “stunning finding”:

. . . four types of immune cells showed less activation in the fermented-food group. The levels of 19 inflammatory proteins measured in blood samples also decreased. One of these proteins, interleukin 6, has been linked to conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Type 2 diabetes and chronic stress.

STUDY SUMMARY: Stanford researchers discover that a 10-week diet high in fermented foods boosts microbiome diversity and improves immune responses.

prep tip

The first step in preparing the tempeh is a brief simmer (as described in recipe instructions below). Do not skip this step, as it helps remove any potential bitter taste, and it also helps the tempeh take on the flavors of your addtional ingredients more easily.

Here are just a few ideas for adding tempeh to your meals:

  • Tucked into a burrito or breakfast burrito
  • Added to a salad (for a heartier, more filling and protein-rich salad)
  • In a bowl meal with roasted veggies and a starch (like potato, sweet potato, quinoa, rice, etc.)
  • in a skillet breakfast-hash-inspired meal (with sauteed diced sweet potato, greens, red onion, and top with with a fried egg)
  • Over shredded veggies and noodles, drizzled with peanut sauce
  • In a stir fry
  • In chili
Use whatever shape you prefer – cubes, crumbles, etc.

Print Recipe
Vegan Tempeh Crumbles or Cubes
Course Main Dishes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 1 8-ounce block of tempeh, cut into 4 large, equal pieces (FYI, soybean-based tempeh is typically higher in protein than purely grain-based ones)
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 cloves garlic gently pressed
Course Main Dishes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
  • 1 8-ounce block of tempeh, cut into 4 large, equal pieces (FYI, soybean-based tempeh is typically higher in protein than purely grain-based ones)
  • 2 teaspoons avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 cloves garlic gently pressed
Instructions
  1. Combine the spice ingredients (thyme, sage, oregano, smoked paprika, paprika, freshly ground black pepper) and set aside.
  2. Add water to a medium pot to about ⅓ full, and add ¼ cup of soy sauce and the pressed garlic. Bring to a simmer.
  3. Add the tempeh chunks. Simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Drain the tempeh, and discard the garlic cloves (or save to use in something else if you’d like!). Gently pat tempeh dry.
  5. After tempeh has cooled, cut into smaller, bite-sized chunks OR crumble into smaller pieces. Toss with spice mixture.
  6. In a large skillet (I like to use nonstick for this recipe), heat the oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned tempeh, and cook for about 7-8 minutes, stirring often until it’s lightly browned. Add extra oil as needed.
  7. Add the teaspoon of soy sauce, stir gently, and remove skillet from heat.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: batch cooking, meal prep, plant-based, protein, vegan, vegetarian

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About Me:

Hi, I’m Jen, and welcome to Nourished Not Famished. Here you’ll find recipes, meal ideas, and wellness tips to thrive without deprivation or restriction. I like to keep healthy changes simple, and grounded in a real-life approach (the secret to making it stick!).  Find out about more about me here, and how you can work with me!

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So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy So, you're feeling motivated to make some healthy changes. Yay, You! 🎉👏👏👏 The secret to making it all happen is . . . there is no secret. The unsexy truth is real change happens (and sticks!) through long-term consistency with the basics.

Nope, the Six-Week Shred plan isn't the magic bullet some huckster is trying to tell you it is. 

It's all about practicing the basics, with a focus on *making them happen in a way that works for you today, this week, this month*. 

And knowing that "what works right now" will change over time.

That's where the Practice Mindset helps! 👇
1️⃣ Practice a small change for a set period of time.
2️⃣ Next, pause and reflect: How did it go? What worked, what didn't, and why?
3️⃣ Proceed if it's working, or Pivot if needed (tweak the change to better fit your life).

Those unsexy basics to practice?
👉Eat more whole (or minimally refined) foods,.and less of the highly refined stuff. (Notice that I didn't say "none"?)
👉Balance your plate at meals with protein, healthy fats, and carbs. Keep it colorful, with plenty of plants in the mix.
👉 Sleep, rest, recover.
👉 Do what you can to manage stress.
👉 Move your body daily (walking is great!). Build your strength. #makesomemuscle
👉 Spend some time doing fun things that help you connect with yourself. #selfcare
👉 Get outdoors. Natural light, Vitamin D, fresh air, and nature are key. (You are a living thing, remember? 😉)
👉 Connect with people and experiences that nourish you.

Hit up my blog (link in bio @nourished.not.famished ) for ideas, tips, and resources to help you get cracking on practicing those unsexy basics. 😘

Which of these basics is your practice priority right now? How's it going?
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Reminder📣. . . these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics ge Reminder📣. . .  these un-sexy, SIMPLE basics get the job done! Not just during the holidays, but *all year long*. And simple is just what you need right now, isn't it?

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I invite you to try this:
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👉TIP: Sleep is a great one to start with, because it's the foundation that holds up everything else. 

As you practice these habits, pause and observe:
🤔How do I feel? 
🤔How am I performing, physically and mentally? 
🤔How is my energy?
🤔How do my clothes fit?
🤔How have my longer-term health indicators like blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose levels changed?

If you truly desire healthy changes that
✔️feel sustainable
✔️ yield results
✔️ and STICK,
stop relying on willpower!

🌟Focus your efforts on *meeting your needs*, rather than restricting and depriving.🌟
.
Stay in a groove with these habits this month, and you might just discover come January 1st that you feel ready to tackle the new year, no over-the-top diet and intense workout plans necessary! 

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The most delicious form of self care: meal prep. 💕 (See stories for deets on this Turmeric Pepper Chicken & Asparagus!) 

During this busy holiday season, your needs often end up on the back burner. 
Which can leave you feeling hangry, exhausted, and ravenous by the end of the day. 
(You know, that feeling when you walk in the door and dive head-first into the bag of chips? #beentheredonethat 🤷‍♀️)

Packing up a few nourishing lunches is a surefire way to boost your midday energy during the week, and leaves you feeling *satisfied* at lunchtime. 

👉 You don't have to make fancy, fussy recipes.
👉 Instead, keep it simple & balanced by packing a lunch container of some protein, fat, carbs, and veggies and/or fruit. Leftover dinner is a great shortcut! 
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Is lunch a pain point for you, too?

Would you love the convenience of having it all ready ahead of time?

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'Tis the season for "Now just isn't a good time to 'Tis the season for "Now just isn't a good time to start". 😂 You, me, and everybody else are very susceptible to believing that it's just too dang hard to stick with *any* healthy choices right now (and that you'll revisit your health come January 1). 🤔

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👉Ditch that all-or-nothing thinking that's getting in your way! 

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👉 Remember that something is better than nothing.🙌💪 

What's one small thing you can do *today* to nurture your health? Drop a comment!

TWO STEPS TO GET YOU GOING: 

1️⃣
Name one action that:
✅ is a baby step toward a bigger (or more robust) habit or outcome you *really* want in your life, and aligns with what you value with regard to your health and/or your life.
✅ you actually have the ability to do
✅ feels actionable enough that you can get yourself to do it

2️⃣
Figure out:
✅ When & Where you will do this tiny action
✅ how long you will practice this tiny action

✨*TIP: stacking this new, tiny action onto an action or event that's already in your day can seriously boost your follow through.✨

For example:
👉When I'm waiting in the coffee shop line/school pick-up line/etc., I will spend one minute focusing on my breath. (Mindful moments matter! 😊) .

👉While I brush my teeth in the morning, I will hold a squat position to strengthen my body.

👉Before I return to my desk after lunch, I will move my body for five minutes (a lap around the building? Up and down the stairs? A lap or two around the office parking lot? Do whatever works for you.).

👉In the middle of dinner, I will put my fork down for at least two minutes and check in with whatever signals my body and brain are sending me.

What are your tiny actions today that are bridging you to the life you want to be living? 🌞

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#Juststart #tinyhabits #changeskills 
#holidays

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