How to Cook Tempeh: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tempeh has a reputation for being tricky. It's not. Cooking tempeh is genuinely one of the easiest things you can do on a weeknight and once you know the basics, it behaves pretty much exactly like chicken.

Here's everything you need to know.

How to cook tempeh: 4 methods

1. Pan-fry (the everyday method)

Slice or cube the tempeh and cook in a little oil over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes each side until golden. That's it. Works perfectly for a quick tempeh stir fry, wraps, or grain bowls.

2. Tempeh air fryer method

One of the fastest-growing ways to cook tempeh, and for good reason. Place slices or pieces in an air fryer at 200°C for 5–7 minutes. You get a crispy exterior with minimal effort. Works brilliantly with our Smoky straight from the pack.

3. Marinate, then cook

Soy sauce, garlic and olive oil for 10–30 minutes before cooking gives the deepest flavour. The longer you leave it, the more it absorbs. Treat it exactly like chicken, same marinade, same pan, same result.

4. Crumble or grate

For bolognese, tacos or chilli, crumble or grate the tempeh into the pan to create a mince-style texture. Fry in a little oil before adding your sauce so it browns properly.

How to flavour tempeh like chicken

The same marinades you'd use on chicken work on tempeh. Teriyaki, jerk, peri peri, honey and mustard — it absorbs them all. For the easiest option, the Better Nature pre-seasoned range (Smoky, Mediterranean, Peri Peri) handles the flavouring for you. Slice and cook — nothing else needed.

A note on cooking time

Tempeh cooks faster than chicken. Most methods take 10–15 minutes total. There's no need to rest it, no pink to worry about, no thermometer required. It's genuinely lower-effort once you've done it once.

Step-by-step: tempeh air fryer guide

Prep tempeh however you want for example slice, tear or crumble

Toss in a little oil and your chosen seasoning (or use it pre-seasoned)

Air fryer at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway

Done — crispy outside, tender inside

FAQs

Does tempeh need steaming before cooking? No. Some older recipes recommend steaming tempeh to remove bitterness, but Better Nature tempeh doesn't need it. Slice and cook straight from the pack.

Can tempeh be eaten raw? Technically, yes, but we highly recommend cooking as it improves the flavour and texture significantly. A quick pan-fry or air-fry makes it golden and far more enjoyable.

What's the best way to cook tempeh for beginners? The tempeh air fryer method is the most foolproof, minimal oil, no flipping required, consistently crispy. Start there.

Better Nature Tempeh is available in Tesco and Asda. 44g protein per pack, similar to a chicken breast. 100% natural. Fermented for gut health.