This Homemade Vegan BLT with Maple Tempeh Bacon is quite possibly the best sandwich you’ll ever taste! Its smoky, juicy, crispy goodness in every bite. Perfect for a quick & easy lunch or dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Have you ever had a sandwich moment? (yup, it’s a thing) When you take a bite of something so delicious your entire world melts away and all you can think about is taking another bite. Get ready my friend. This Homemade Vegan BLT with Maple Tempeh Bacon is your sandwich moment!

It’s been unusually warm here on the Peninsula and we find ourselves, more often than not, taking meals outside. Even with all the recipe testing and cooking happening in the kitchen, I prefer straightforward dinners. The kind you can easily plunk on a tray and serve family style. A well-crafted BLT sandwich is all that.

It’s the best kind of smoky, sweet, salty, juicy, crispy goodness with a side of healthy tossed in just for good measure. I’ve become slightly obsessed with this recipe and can’t stop making it for family, and friends, and offering bites to the casual passerby. Here’s why you’ll love it:

No marinading! Get all the flavor by simmering tempeh strips right in the bacon-flavored sauce. The sauce and all its flavor fully absorb into the tempeh in under 10 minutes.
Quick & easy- Tempeh bacon is made on the stovetop in a few simple steps instead of a lengthy oven bake.
Customizable- Choose your favorite sandwich bread. Use any fluffy lettuce and ripe tomatoes that are in season. Add avocado slices or vegan cheese to make it extra filling.
Very very delicious- Each mouthful is a balanced sensory experience. Creamy vegan mayonnaise offsets the crunchy toasted bread and crispy lettuce. A layer of juicy tomato combined with umami tempeh bacon is pretty much sandwich perfection.

Vegan BLT sandwich sliced in half on a plate.

FAQ’s

What is tempeh bacon?

Prepare to have your mind blown because maple tempeh bacon may be the most satisfying plant-based bacon alternative on earth! It’s meaty and smoky with a hint of sweetness that tastes *just* like bacon!

If you haven’t met tempeh, it’s a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans, typically pressed into a dense, cake-like block. It has a firm, meaty texture and soaks up flavor like a thirsty sponge.

Can you buy tempeh bacon?

Although I highly recommend making it at home, (it’s so easy!) you can purchase ready-made tempeh bacon. Click here for my favorite brand.

Is tempeh bacon healthy?

We all know lettuce and tomato are healthy. But what about maple tempeh bacon? Well, I’m here to tell you, yes, yes it is! Unlike traditional bacon, tempeh has loads of fiber, is great for gut health, and is naturally cholesterol and gluten-free. Plus, it’s a good source of plant-based protein.

Can this recipe be made oil-free?

You bet! When I first tested this recipe back in 2020 all my recipes were oil-free. Simply swap out oil for water and follow the same directions. My Tofu Aioli recipe is oil-free and can be used in place of store-bought vegan mayonnaise.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find the complete ingredient list with measurements and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. But here are the key players.

Tempeh- the star of the show and what we use to keep this BLT vegan. Both regular and 3-grain tempeh work well.

Bacon-flavored sauce - Olive oil, tamari (similar to soy sauce), and maple syrup mixed with concentrated liquid smoke and spices give the tempeh bacon a realistic flavor.

Sandwich bread- A great sandwich starts with good bread. Choose any sturdy sandwich bread that can hold up to fillings and spreads.

Vegan Mayonnaise- Just like my Tofu Egg Salad, this recipe uses vegan mayonnaise for creaminess and to help the sandwich stick together.

Lettuce- for a fresh crunch and to prevent soggy bread.

Tomato- an essential juicy layer that adds a hint of acidity to balance the other flavors.

How to make this recipe (with photos)

When you’re ready to make this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post. You’ll find the complete ingredient list with measurements there.

Make the Maple Tempeh Bacon

1. Starting at the short end of the slab, slice the tempeh into ¼ inch strips. If they are thinner than ¼” they will break apart in the pan as you flip them. If they are too thick, they won’t season all the way through.

2. Whisk all the ingredients except the tempeh in a small bowl until cohesive and smooth.

3. Pour the sauce into a large (10”-12”) skillet over medium-high heat. Lay all the slices in the sauce, turning them over with a fork to coat each side. Once the sauce begins to bubble up, adjust the heat in order to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Then flip the tempeh over.

4. Simmer for 3-5 more minutes. The sauce will absorb into the tempeh leaving some of the oil behind in the pan. You will need to scootch the pieces around, so they brown evenly. They will begin to caramelize with browned bottoms.

5. Transfer the browned tempeh to a sheet of parchment paper in a single layer while you assemble your sandwiches.

Assemble the Vegan BLT

1. Spread 1 tablespoon of vegan mayonnaise on one side of each toasted bread slice. Lay the slices mayonnaise side up as you go.

2. Next place a lettuce leaf on the bread slice that will be the bottom of the sandwich. This will keep the bread from getting soggy from the tomato.

3. Now add 4 tomato slices on top of the lettuce followed by a generous layer of tempeh bacon. Top each sandwich with a slice of bread, mayonnaise side down. Enjoy sliced in half or whole!

How To Store

Store leftover maple tempeh bacon in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place leftover sandwiches in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. I highly recommend eating them right after you assemble them.

Expert Tips

Use concentrated liquid smoke. This comes in a small bottle, drips like water, and has a powerful smoky flavor. (See recipe card for the brand I use). Avoid sauces labeled liquid smoke that are thick and resemble BBQ sauce.
Choose a sturdy sandwich bread that can hold up to all those fillings. Sourdough bread, ciabatta, or whole wheat have a denser texture and won’t get soggy. Toasting the bread adds a delicious layer of crispness.
Seal the toasted bread with vegan mayonnaise. This keeps it from getting soggy and helps the sandwich stick together.
Layer strategically. Place the lettuce against the bread to create a barrier between the bread and moist tomatoes. Then place the maple tempeh bacon on top of the tomatoes, sandwiching them in the middle. Top with another slice of bread and dig in!
Secure with toothpicks or skewers. This is especially helpful for tall sandwiches and to keep those fixings from falling in your lap!

What to Serve with Vegan BLTs

You can’t beat the OG salad and sandwich combo. Serve with one of these vegan salads with a side of Crispy Cheesy Kale Chips for a complete meal!

Southern Vegan Potato Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Massaged Kale Salad

Or pair your sandwich with any of these comforting vegan soups!

I feel the sandwich obsession will continue well into the summer. At least that is until I’ve fed everyone within a mile radius of my kitchen a bite. Feel free to stop by or make your own. I promise you won’t be disappointed! 😋

X,o,

Homemade Vegan BLT with Maple Tempeh Bacon

Table of Contents