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Tempeh

Fermented soybean product.

Tempeh — illustrative ingredient image

About Tempeh

Tempeh is a compact cake made by fermenting cooked, usually dehulled soybeans with a cultured mold, which binds the beans into a firm sliceable block. It is commonly sliced, cubed, crumbled, steamed, simmered, sautéed, fried, grilled, or baked.

Its flavour is nutty, earthy, and mildly mushroom-like. The interior has a firm, substantial, pleasantly chewy texture and absorbs marinades and sauces. Commercial versions may include grains, seeds, or other legumes, which can change the flavour and structure.

Tempeh has a pale interior with a visible network of fermentation growth and is sold fresh, chilled, frozen, pasteurized, or shelf-stable. Slicing or crumbling changes its surface area; steaming, simmering, frying, grilling, or baking changes moisture, firmness, acidity, and flavour while it can retain a substantial texture.

Ingredient type
derived ingredient
Form
fermented

Forms & related ingredients

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Where tempeh appears

7 linked foods

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Showing 1–7 of 7

Main dishes

Sides

Salads

Rice dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for tempeh

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Tempeh

tempeh

English

Tempeh, cooked

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Tempeh nutrition & diet

Tempeh nutritional value

Tempeh

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the recorded food form.

Calories
192kcal
Protein
20.3g
Carbs
7.6g
Fat
10.8g

Reference values for the specific food form shown. Other varieties, brands and preparations can differ.

Portions & preparation

Use the specific tempeh product and serving form, distinguishing plain fermented soybean cake from cooked, marinated, seasoned, breaded, or flavored versions. Slicing, steaming, frying, and baking alter water content and added ingredients. Review the ingredient list for grains, oils, sweeteners, sauces, and processing cultures.

Compare the right form: Match references to plain fermented soybean tempeh or the exact prepared product, specifying grain additions, cooking method, marinade, and serving state.

Diet considerations

Tempeh is commonly a plant-derived fermented soybean product, but formulations may include cereal grains or other ingredients. Compatibility changes with egg, dairy, meat-based sauces, animal fats, coatings, marinades, and mixed dishes. Portion and preparation determine its carbohydrate pattern, especially for grain-containing varieties.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Depends on the version
  • Paleo
    Typically incompatible
  • Low-carb
    Depends on the version
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Paleo · Typically incompatible
This profile falls outside the conventional paleo pattern used here (grains and pseudograins, legumes, dairy or refined sugar).
Low-carb · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central — Tempeh ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .