Love a crunchy sandwich with a smoky edge and the creamy, nutty flavor of avocado? You’ll enjoy this mouthwatering Vegan Tempeh BLT Sandwich. It’s much healthier than a traditional BLT while still delivering the same satisfying bite.
Sandwiches are one of the most convenient meal ideas—easy to pack for lunch, perfect for a picnic, and quick to make when hunger strikes. But when the usual vegan sandwich options start to feel repetitive, tempeh brings fresh inspiration.
If tempeh is new to you: it’s a fermented soybean product that’s high in protein and nutrients. Tempeh is also rich in fiber and offers beneficial compounds from fermentation, making it a nutritious plant-based staple.
One of tempeh’s best qualities is how well it absorbs marinades and smoke flavors. That makes it an excellent stand-in for bacon in this vegan BLT and a fantastic topping for salads or bowls when prepared with a smoky tempeh marinade.
Tempeh is also versatile as a substitute for ground meat in recipes that benefit from its texture, such as crumbled tempeh sloppy joes or layered dishes like vegan lasagna.
How to Make Tempeh BLT Sandwiches
The foundation of any great sandwich is good bread. While store-bought loaves work, baking a simple homemade loaf elevates the sandwich dramatically. A hearty wholemeal or spelt bread brings extra texture and flavor.
Prepare a batch of smoky vegan tempeh bacon ahead of time. It keeps well in the refrigerator, so you can make a large batch and reheat strips as needed for quick sandwiches.
To assemble: mash ripe avocado until spreadable and spread about a quarter of it onto a slice of bread. Layer with lettuce, a slice of tomato, and 2–3 slices of crispy tempeh bacon. Top with the other slice of bread. Repeat for the remaining sandwiches and serve immediately.
Why this Recipe Works
This simple sandwich excels because:
- It’s quick to assemble using minimal, fresh ingredients.
- You can easily customize fillings and spreads to taste.
- Tempeh offers a nutritious, plant-based alternative to bacon.
- It scales well for serving a group—make extra tempeh bacon and build several sandwiches in minutes.
- It’s entirely plant-based and satisfying.
Cook’s Tips
- Make the vegan tempeh bacon in a large batch—it stores well for up to a month in the fridge.
- Toast the bread for extra crunch and structure, especially if using juicy tomatoes.
- For a different smoky sandwich, try pulled jackfruit on a toasted bun with coleslaw—jackfruit delivers a stringy, pulled texture that works well as a pork substitute.
- Experiment with spreads: chili flakes, a smear of vegan mayo, or a mustard-based dressing add variety.
- Try different breads like wholemeal or spelt for aroma and a more wholesome texture.
Recipe Variations
- Add thin cucumber slices for crunch, or swap the avocado for hummus or mashed roasted peppers.
- Spice it up with chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce, or add a creamy vegan mayo for richness.
- Use your favorite bread—bagels, ciabatta, or a crusty sourdough all work well with smoky tempeh.
Vegan BLT Tempeh Sandwich
$3
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- 8 lettuce leaves
- 1 tomato sliced
- 12-16 vegan bacon strips
- 8 slices wholemeal sandwich bread toasted or not
Instructions
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Slice the avocado in half, remove the pit, and mash the flesh with a fork until spreadable. Spread about a quarter of the mashed avocado on one slice of bread, add a lettuce leaf and a slice of tomato, then top with 2–3 strips of vegan tempeh bacon. Cover with the second slice of bread. Repeat for the remaining sandwiches and enjoy.
Notes
Cook’s Tips
- Make the vegan tempeh bacon in a large batch; it keeps well for up to a month in the refrigerator.
- Toast the bread for extra crunch and structure.
- Try other smoky vegan sandwiches like pulled jackfruit on a toasted bun with coleslaw for variety.
- Explore different sandwich ideas—bagel sandwiches, wraps, or sloppy joes—for new flavor combinations.
- Use a simple tempeh cooking guide to discover more ways to prepare tempeh and expand your recipe repertoire.
Recipe Variations
- Add cucumber for extra crunch, swap spreads, or add chili flakes or vegan mayo to taste.
- Bake or buy a hearty wholemeal loaf to enhance aroma and texture.
Nutrition
Other Vegan Recipes You’ll Love:
- The Best Vegan Tempeh Tacos
- Perfect Vegan Sloppy Joes
- The Best Vegan Bolognese
- Smoky Tempeh Marinade
