This Vegan BLT Sandwich with tempeh bacon is a delicious plant-based twist on the classic, made with smoky tempeh bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy tomatoes. Perfect for a quick and easy vegan lunch or dinner, this healthy sandwich is packed with protein and flavor.

Why is tempeh a good bacon substitute?

Tempeh makes a great plant-based bacon substitute because it has a firm, chewy texture that crisps up nicely when sliced thin and cooked. Tempeh’s natural mild flavor also absorbs marinades well, making it easy to infuse with smoky, savory seasonings that mimic the taste of traditional bacon. In this recipe, the marinade is a simple combination of soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and smoked paprika.

Tempeh BLT Sandwich Ingredients

For this tempeh bacon recipe, you only need 5 ingredients for the marinade! Here is what you will need:

Tempeh
Soy sauce
Maple syrup
Apple cider vinegar
Liquid smoke
Smoked paprika
Additionally, you will need sandwich fixings such as sourdough bread, vegan mayo, and fresh lettuce, tomato, and optional (but delicious) avocado.

Feel free to get creative with this vegan sandwich and add any fillings you like. I have tried it with peperoncinis, roasted red peppers, and vegan spicy mayo.

How to Make Tempeh Bacon for a Vegan BLT

Slice the tempeh into strips that are 1/4-inch thin.
Prepare the marinade in a shallow dish with a lid by combining the soy sauce, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and smoked paprika. Mix well.
Add the tempeh strips to the marinade, cover, gently shake to coat the tempeh, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If you do not have time to marinade, you can cook the tempeh in a non-stick skillet with the marinade over medium heat, however the flavor will not be as strong.
Preheat the oven to 350F (180C) and spread the tempeh out on a lined baking sheet, making sure that the tempeh strips are not touching.
Bake for 15 minutes, flip each strip, and bake another 10 minutes.
Assemble your vegan BLT on toasted sourdough bread with plant-based mayo, the tempeh bacon, tomato slices, and lettuce. Make it a BLTA by adding avocado.

Equipment Needed

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Other Uses for Tempeh Bacon

While the tempeh bacon recipe is the perfect item for a vegan BLT sandwich, the bacon substitute can also be eaten with a Tofu Scramble, on a bagel, in salad, or try it crumbled on top of my Vegan Mac and Cheese, Baked Mac, or Oil-Free Vegan Alfredo. It is just so good that it will bring any meal to the next level!

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

Tempeh bacon is great for a high-protein meal prep because it can be made in batches, stores well in the fridge for a whole week, and adds a smoky, protein-packed boost to sandwiches, salads, and wraps all week long.

To simplify your meal prep, store sliced tomatoes, lettuce leaves and tempeh bacon in separate containers in the fridge. Then you can prepare a quick and easy high-protein lunch or dinner in minutes by just spreading mayo on bread and layering the fillings. Super easy and satisfying!

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This vegan BLT sandwich with tempeh bacon is the perfect balance of smoky, savory, and fresh flavors, all stacked between toasted sourdough bread for a satisfying bite. Whether you enjoy it for lunch, dinner, or a high-protein vegan meal prep, this plant-based version of a signature sandwich proves that comfort food can be both healthy and delicious!

Vegan BLT Sandwich