Crispy BBQ Tempeh Salad

A smoky, tangy, and crispy BBQ tempeh salad that's perfect for a light and refreshing meal. The tempeh is marinated in a flavorful BBQ sauce and then baked to perfection, giving it a crispy exterior and a tender interior. The salad is tossed in a dairy-free ranch dressing and topped with roasted pumpkin seeds, adding a nice crunch and nutty flavor.

This recipe was inspired by my love for BBQ tempeh and my desire to create a salad that was both flavorful and satisfying. I experimented with different marinades and baking times until I found the perfect combination that resulted in crispy, flavorful tempeh. I then paired the tempeh with a mix of fresh vegetables and a dairy-free ranch dressing to create a salad that was both light and refreshing.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 8 oz tempeh, sliced
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce
• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
• 1/4 cup dairy-free ranch dressing

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Marinate tempeh slices in BBQ sauce for 15 minutes.
3. Place marinated tempeh on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
4. In a large bowl, toss salad greens, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and pumpkin seeds.
5. Divide salad among plates and top with crispy BBQ tempeh slices.
6. Drizzle with dairy-free ranch dressing before serving.

Why It Works

• The BBQ sauce marinade gives the tempeh a delicious smoky and tangy flavor.
• Baking the tempeh at a high temperature creates a crispy exterior while keeping the interior tender and juicy.
• The combination of fresh vegetables and crunchy pumpkin seeds adds a nice balance of flavors and textures.