This vegan tempeh burger recipe makes the full-flavor, meaty veggie burgers you've been waiting for! Simmered tempeh crumbles, mushrooms, onions, spices, and vital wheat gluten team up for hearty burger patties that can be baked, air-fried, or pan-fried.
Table of Contents
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- An easy prep for tempeh gives it a soft, meaty texture, like ground beef, and great taste.
- Make these delicious vegan burgers with a handful of ingredients.
- Tempeh and vital wheat gluten make this a high-protein veggie burger.
- Bake, pan-fry, or air fry without added oil for a healthy burger.
Ingredients, Notes, and Substitutions
Tempeh. Tempeh is usually made from fermented soybeans but can be made from other legumes like black beans or chickpeas. Brown rice or wheat is sometimes added to tempeh. It's a great meat alternative with a chewy texture and has a bonus of both a protein and dietary fiber boost.
Vital Wheat Gluten. Although not technically flour, vital wheat gluten is powdery and flour-like. It's the secret ingredient for making vegan meat because it has a chewy texture when cooked.
Mushrooms. The umami flavor of mushrooms is an essential ingredient. I used inexpensive button mushrooms (4-6) to make 1 ½ cups. Substitute with a cup of chopped dried mushrooms.
Vegan Worcestershire sauce. If you can't find vegan Worcestershire sauce, use a tablespoon of soy sauce. Or create your own with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, plus ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder, respectively.
Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients with measurements plus recipe instructions.
Recipe Variations
- You can modify the spice profile easily with a pinch of homemade chili powder, ground cumin, or a dash of sriracha chili sauce. Add ½ a teaspoon of liquid smoke or smoked paprika for smokey burgers.
- Add more garlicky flavor by replacing garlic powder with 1-2 garlic cloves.
- What a cheesy burger!? Add a tablespoon or more of nutritional yeast.
- Make crunchy breaded burgers by pressing your vegan patties in panko breadcrumbs before cooking them.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Crumble the tempeh into a medium pot.
Step 2: Add vegetable broth and a tablespoon of soy sauce. Simmer over medium heat for 20 minutes.
Step 3: Drain the tempeh. Use the back of a spoon to press out the moisture.
Step 4: Add the tempeh crumbles and other ingredients (except vital wheat gluten) to a food processor. Pulse a few times to mix the ingredients.
Step 5: Transfer the burger mixture to a medium or large bowl and mix in ½ a cup of vital wheat gluten using your hand.
Step 6: Test the mixture by forming a ball. If it falls apart, add more vital wheat gluten.
Step 7: Make 4 large patties or 6 mini burgers. If baking, place them on a lined baking sheet.
Step 8: Bake in a preheated oven (425 F). for 15-20 minutes until brown and firm. Flip and bake for another 10 minutes.
Pro Tips
For veggie burgers that are firm in the middle, always start with a preheated oven, air fryer, pan, or grill (whatever you use).
Tempeh crumbles can be made ahead. Wait to add vital wheat gluten until you are ready to cook the burgers. In my experience, it expands, making the texture super-chewy, with many air pockets.
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Cooking Methods
Bake. Bake at 425 F. Baking is my preferred method because it's easy. Line the baking tray with parchment paper or a silicon mat so the burgers are easy to flip. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Air Fry. Preheat the air fryer to 375 F. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Fry for 11 to 13 minutes, flipping the burgers halfway through.
Pan Fry. Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium heat. Add the burger patties and cover them for the first 5 minutes or so to help the middle cook. Flip the burgers and cook until both sides are brown and the middles are firm.
Serving Suggestions
Serve tempeh burgers with our favorite vegan condiments like quick vegan mayo, sriracha BBQ sauce, sriracha mayo, or garlic aioli. Stuff homemade whole wheat hamburger buns with tomato slices, lettuce leaves, red onions, or for a sweet flavor, try quick-pickled red onions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep leftover, cooked tempeh burgers in an airtight container, or wrap them in foil. Keep them in the refrigerator for 4 days.
Freeze tempeh burgers for 3 months. I find it easiest to separate the burgers with a small piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap so they don't stick together.
Vital wheat gluten is the main ingredient in seitan (often called wheat meat). The terms are often used interchangeably, but one, vital wheat gluten, is an ingredient in the other, seitan.
It's difficult to mimic vital wheat gluten (wheat gluten) for making vegan meats; however, a few burger binders will work for this recipe. The texture won't be quite the same, but chickpea flour or ground oats are good gluten-free substitutes. If gluten isn't an issue, high-gluten wheat flour can also be used in conjunction with a tablespoon of xanthium gum.
To grill tempeh burgers, start with a hot grill. Depending on the grilling rack material, you may need to spray some oil to prevent the burgers from sticking. Grill the patties over medium heat, flipping them at least once.
More Vegan Burger Recipes
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👩🏻🍳 Recipe
Vegan Tempeh Burger Recipe
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Ingredients
- 10 ounces tempeh - 1 block
- 5 cups vegetable broth - or use water and a few veggie cubes
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce - or Tamari
- 1 small onion - diced
- 1 ½ cups mushrooms - sliced, (about 5 button mushrooms)
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce - or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce - see notes for options
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ - 1 cup vital wheat gluten - (seitan)
Instructions
- Crumble the tempeh into small pieces (aim for thumbnail size) and place it in a medium pot.
- Cover the tempeh with vegetable broth and soy sauce.
- Over medium heat, simmer the tempeh for 20 minutes. Use this time to prep the rest of the ingredients.
- Drain the tempeh crumbles over a colander or mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to press the moisture from the tempeh.
- When the tempeh is done, drain it being sure to press it down a bit to get as much moisture out as possible.
- Preheat the oven to 425 F (220 C).
- Add the tempeh and all the ingredients except vital wheat gluten to a food processor. Pulse a few times to mix the ingredients. Leave a little texture rather than blending it smoothly.
- Transfer the burger mixture into a medium bowl and add ½ a cup of vital wheat gluten. Use your hands to knead in more vital wheat gluten until you can form a ball or patty that will hold together.
- Make 4 burger patties (or 6 small patties), about ½ inches thick, and place them on a parchment-lined baking tray.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until firm in the middle and slightly brown. Flip and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
- Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and bake another 10 – 15 minutes more until the burgers are slightly brown on the top and are firm, but not hard.
- Air Fry. Preheat the air fryer to 375 F. Place the patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Fry for 11 to 13 minutes, flipping the burgers halfway through.
- Pan Fry. Heat a large skillet or frying pan to medium heat. Add the burger patties and cover them for the first 5 minutes or so to help the middle cook. Flip the burgers and cook until both sides are brown and the middles are firm.
Video
Notes
- If you can't find vegan Worcestershire sauce, use a tablespoon of soy sauce. Or make a quick sauce of 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar, plus ½ a teaspoon of garlic powder and onion powder, respectively.
- Keep leftover, cooked tempeh burgers in an airtight container, or wrap them in foil. Keep them in the refrigerator for 4 days. Freeze for 3 months.
- Reheat burgers in the microwave or wrap them in foil and steam them in a steamer basket or reheat them in the oven.
- It's difficult to mimic vital wheat gluten (wheat gluten) for making vegan meats; however, a few burger binders will work for this recipe. The texture won't be quite the same, but chickpea flour or ground oats are good gluten-free substitutes. If gluten isn't an issue, high-gluten wheat flour can also be used in conjunction with a tablespoon of xanthium gum.
- To grill tempeh burgers, start with a hot grill. Depending on the grilling rack material, you may need to spray some oil to prevent the burgers from sticking. Grill the patties over medium heat, flipping them at least once.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
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Hugh
These are the best home-made vegan burgers yet. We have made them several times. Love them with the Ranch Dressing or Chilli sauce. Thanks.
Denise
Thanks so much. This is one of our favorites. Ranch dressing is such a winner.