Crispy Tempeh Bacon: The Smoky Australian Recipe You Need to Try
Tempeh bacon is one of the best plant-based alternatives to bacon available in Australia — and when you make it right, it's genuinely hard to tell yourself you're missing out on anything. Sliced thin, marinated in a smoky, savoury blend, and crisped up in a hot pan, tempeh bacon delivers everything you love about bacon: the crunch, the caramelised edges, the deep umami hit. Made with Simply Soy Australian-made tempeh from Bayswater, Victoria, this recipe is wholesome, high in protein, completely vegan, and preservative-free.
What makes tempeh such a brilliant base for vegan bacon is its firm, dense texture. Unlike tofu, tempeh holds its shape when sliced thin, absorbs a marinade beautifully, and crisps up at high heat in a way that genuinely mimics the bite and chew of traditional bacon. It's also a fermented whole food, meaning it comes with natural gut health benefits, fibre, and a robust plant-based protein content that most meat alternatives can't match.
Whether you're fully plant-based, flexitarian, or just curious about vegan bacon in Australia, this recipe is your starting point. It takes less than 30 minutes (plus marinating time), uses pantry-staple ingredients, and works beautifully on weekend brunch toast, in BLT-style rolls, crumbled over salads, or tucked into a burger. Let's get into it.
---Why Tempeh Is the Best Base for Vegan Bacon in Australia
Not all vegan bacon alternatives are created equal. Rice paper bacon, carrot bacon, coconut bacon — they all have their fans, but none of them come close to the texture, protein content, and versatility of tempeh bacon.
Tempeh is made from whole, fermented soybeans. Unlike processed meat alternatives that rely on long ingredient lists, additives, and flavour enhancers, tempeh is a whole food. Simply Soy's Original Tempeh, made in Bayswater, Victoria, contains just Australian soybeans and a natural fermentation culture — no preservatives, no fillers, no compromises.
Here's what makes tempeh the superior vegan bacon base:
- Texture: Firm enough to slice thin without crumbling, and it crisps beautifully at high heat
- Protein: Approximately 18–20g of plant protein per 100g — more than most vegan alternatives
- Flavour absorption: The porous texture of fermented tempeh soaks up marinades deeply and evenly
- Whole food credentials: Minimal ingredients, naturally fermented, gut-health friendly
- Australian-made: Simply Soy has been making quality tempeh in Melbourne since 2000, using locally sourced Australian soybeans
If you want a smoky, satisfying vegan bacon that performs on the plate and in the pan, tempeh is the answer — and Simply Soy is Australia's go-to brand for doing it right.
---The Smoky Tempeh Bacon Marinade: What You Need
The marinade is where tempeh bacon goes from "interesting" to genuinely craveable. The key is building layers of flavour — salt, smoke, sweetness, and acid — to replicate the complex, savoury profile of traditional bacon.
Here's the Simply Soy tempeh bacon marinade:
- 3 tablespoons tamari (or soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke (optional, but highly recommended for an authentically smoky result)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Cracked black pepper to taste
Whisk everything together in a shallow bowl or tray. The tamari brings saltiness and umami. The smoked paprika and optional liquid smoke deliver that signature bacon aroma. Maple syrup adds sweetness and — critically — helps the strips caramelise in the pan. Apple cider vinegar lifts the whole thing with a subtle tang that balances the richness.
This marinade also works brilliantly with Simply Soy Garlic Tempeh if you want an extra layer of depth. The pre-infused garlic pairs naturally with the smoky, sweet notes in the marinade.
---Step-by-Step: How to Make Crispy Tempeh Bacon (Australian Style)
Follow these steps for perfectly crispy, smoky tempeh bacon every time.
Step 1 — Slice your Simply Soy tempeh thin
Using a sharp knife, slice your block of Simply Soy Original Tempeh into strips approximately 2–3mm thick. The thinner the slice, the crispier the result. Too thick and you'll get a chewy interior — which isn't necessarily bad, but it won't give you that authentic bacon-strip feel.
Step 2 — Marinate for at least 20 minutes (overnight is better)
Lay your tempeh strips in a single layer in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over. Turn to coat both sides. Cover and refrigerate. Twenty minutes gives you good flavour penetration. Overnight gives you deep, beautifully seasoned strips that are noticeably better. If you're meal prepping for the week, marinate a whole block Sunday night and cook as needed.
Step 3 — Cook hot and dry
Heat a cast iron pan or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. You can use a tiny amount of olive oil or cook dry — the marinade contains enough oil to prevent sticking in a good pan. Add your strips in a single layer without crowding the pan. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until deeply golden, slightly caramelised at the edges, and crisp. Don't move them around too much — let the heat do the work.
Step 4 — Drain and serve immediately
Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel for 30 seconds to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and crispy. Tempeh bacon is best eaten fresh from the pan — it will soften slightly as it cools, though it can be re-crisped in a hot pan or air fryer.
---How to Serve Tempeh Bacon: Australian Brunch Inspiration
Melbourne's brunch culture is world-class, and tempeh bacon belongs right in the middle of it. Here are some genuinely great ways to serve your smoky strips:
- Classic Aussie brekkie plate: Smashed avo on sourdough, tempeh bacon strips, roasted cherry tomatoes, and a handful of baby spinach with lemon
- Vegan BLT: Thick-cut sourdough, cashew mayo, crispy cos lettuce, sliced tomato, and a generous stack of tempeh bacon
- Breakfast burger: Soft bao bun or brioche roll, fried egg (or vegan scrambled egg), tempeh bacon, sriracha, and pickled jalapeños
- Salad topper: Crumble cooled tempeh bacon strips over a Caesar salad, pasta salad, or a simple green salad for an instant protein hit
- Pasta: Chop into pieces and toss through a creamy vegan carbonara or a simple tomato and basil pasta
- Loaded baked potato: A Melbourne café classic in the making — top with vegan sour cream, chives, and crumbled tempeh bacon
Can You Make Tempeh Bacon in an Air Fryer?
Yes — and it's arguably the easiest method. Marinate your Simply Soy tempeh strips as above, then lay them in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. The air fryer produces an evenly crisped strip with minimal effort and no oil needed. It's an excellent weekday option when you want something fast without standing over a hot pan.
---Is Tempeh Bacon Healthy? The Nutritional Picture
Compared to traditional bacon, tempeh bacon is a significantly cleaner, more nutritious option — without sacrificing the satisfaction factor. Here's a quick breakdown:
- High in plant protein: Simply Soy tempeh delivers approximately 18–20g of complete protein per 100g
- No preservatives: Unlike most packaged bacon products, Simply Soy contains zero preservatives or artificial additives
- Gut-friendly fermentation: The natural fermentation process makes tempeh easier to digest than other soy products and supports a healthy gut microbiome
- Rich in fibre: Whole soybean fermentation retains the natural fibre content, supporting digestive health
- No cholesterol: 100% plant-based, so naturally cholesterol-free
- Lower in saturated fat: Significantly less saturated fat than traditional pork bacon
The marinade does add sodium (from tamari) and a small amount of natural sugar (from maple syrup), but nothing close to the sodium levels found in cured, processed bacon. Overall, tempeh bacon is one of the most nutritionally sound bacon alternatives available in Australia.
---Where to Buy Simply Soy Tempeh in Australia
Simply Soy has been making Australian-made, preservative-free tempeh in Bayswater, Victoria since 2000. Their tempeh is available at health food stores, selected supermarkets, and specialty grocers across Melbourne and Victoria, as well as online for delivery across Australia.
For tempeh bacon, we recommend starting with Simply Soy Original Tempeh — its firm, clean flavour profile makes it the perfect marinade canvas. The Garlic Tempeh variant is also excellent for those who want extra flavour depth from the very first bite.
👉 Shop the full Simply Soy range here: simplysoy.com.au/products-simply-soy-tempeh
---Frequently Asked Questions: Tempeh Bacon in Australia
What is tempeh bacon made from?
Tempeh bacon is made from thinly sliced tempeh — a fermented whole soybean product — marinated in a smoky, savoury blend typically containing tamari, smoked paprika, maple syrup, and apple cider vinegar. When pan-fried or air-fried at high heat, it develops crispy, caramelised edges that closely mimic the texture and flavour of traditional bacon. Simply Soy's Australian-made Original Tempeh is one of the best bases for tempeh bacon available in Australia.
Does tempeh bacon taste like real bacon?
Tempeh bacon doesn't taste identical to pork bacon — but with the right marinade, it delivers a deeply satisfying smoky, salty, slightly sweet flavour with a genuine crunch. Many people who try well-made tempeh bacon find it just as craveable as the real thing, especially in the context of a loaded brunch plate or BLT. The key is thin slicing, adequate marinating time, and a very hot pan.
Can you buy tempeh bacon ready-made in Australia?
While pre-marinated and ready-to-cook tempeh products are becoming more common, the most flavoursome and preservative-free option is to make your own using Simply Soy's Original Tempeh. It takes less than 30 minutes of active cooking time (plus marinating), and the result is far superior to most packaged alternatives. Simply Soy tempeh is available online at simplysoy.com.au and at health food stockists across Melbourne and Victoria.
How long does tempeh bacon last in the fridge?
Marinated, uncooked tempeh bacon strips will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days — and the flavour actually improves the longer they marinate. Cooked tempeh bacon is best eaten fresh for maximum crispiness but can be stored cooked in the fridge for 2–3 days and re-crisped in a hot pan or air fryer before serving.
Is tempeh bacon vegan and gluten free?
Tempeh itself is 100% vegan and, in the case of Simply Soy, completely preservative-free and dairy-free. The standard tempeh bacon marinade can easily be made gluten-free by using tamari (which is naturally gluten-free) rather than regular soy sauce. Always check individual product labels, but Simply Soy's Australian-made tempeh is a clean, whole food suitable for vegan and plant-based diets.
