How to Cook Tempeh for Beginners: A Simple Guide to cooking the Delicious, Plant-Based Protein

Written By Jason Kurniawan

Tempeh is a powerhouse of plant-based nutrition, but let’s be honest — if you’ve never cooked it before, it can feel a little daunting. With its firm texture, earthy aroma, and fermented character, it’s not always clear where to start. Should you steam it first? Marinate it? Fry it straight out of the pack?

If you're unsure how to get tempeh tasting delicious, you’re not alone — we’re here to help.

In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to cook tempeh so it’s crispy, flavourful, and ready to elevate any meal. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or just tempeh-curious, Simply Soy Tempeh makes it easy with organic, Australian-made soy goodness.

What is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian soy product made by fermenting whole soybeans. It has a firm, chewy texture and a nutty, earthy flavour. Unlike tofu, tempeh retains the whole bean, making it richer in fibre, protein, and nutrients.

At Simply Soy, we produce tempeh in Australia with no artificial additives — just clean, whole-food goodness.

Why Cook Tempeh?

Tempeh is:

  • High in protein (perfect for vegans and vegetarians)

  • Rich in gut-friendly probiotics

  • Extremely versatile — you can grill it, fry it, bake it, or marinate it

  • A great meat substitute in stir-fries, wraps, burgers, and salads

How to Cook Tempeh for Beginners (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a few common methods to cook Tempeh - we will dive into some of our favourite Tempeh recipes in our next few blogs!

1. Steam it (Optional but Recommended)

  • Slice your Simply Soy Tempeh into strips, cubes or even crumble it (for a nice mince texture).

  • Steam for 10 minutes in a steamer or over a saucepan

2. Marinate It

  • Tempeh loves bold flavours — try tamari, garlic, lemon juice, or your favourite spice blend

Quick marinade idea:

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

  • 1 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 crushed garlic clove

Let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for stronger flavour).

3. Pan-Fry It (Crispy edges, chewy centre)

  • Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat

  • Add marinated tempeh pieces

  • Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown

4. Serve and Enjoy

  • Add to Buddha bowls, wraps, sandwiches, salads or serve with rice for a protein-packed meal.

Jason Kurniawan