Vegan Bacon BLT Grilled Cheese (Printable Version)

A delicious plant-based BLT featuring smoky tempeh bacon, fresh lettuce, tomato, and melty vegan cheese grilled until golden.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Smoky Tempeh Bacon

01 - 7.1 oz tempeh, sliced into thin strips
02 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
03 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 0.5 tsp liquid smoke, optional
07 - 0.5 tsp garlic powder
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Sandwich

09 - 4 slices sourdough or sandwich bread, vegan
10 - 4 slices vegan cheese
11 - 1 medium tomato, sliced
12 - 4 leaves crisp lettuce, romaine or iceberg
13 - 2 tbsp vegan butter or margarine

# How to Make It:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, olive oil, smoked paprika, liquid smoke, garlic powder, and black pepper. Add tempeh strips and marinate for 10 minutes.
02 - Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add marinated tempeh and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and slightly crispy. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - Spread vegan butter on one side of each bread slice.
04 - Place two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface. Top each with a slice of vegan cheese, half the smoky tempeh bacon, tomato slices, lettuce, and another slice of vegan cheese. Cover with remaining bread, buttered side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
06 - Slice in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tempeh bacon gets crispy and sweet with a smoky depth that rivals any diner breakfast.
  • Everything melts together into gooey, crunchy, tangy perfection in under half an hour.
  • It feels indulgent but fuels you with real protein and vegetables tucked inside.
  • You can prep the tempeh ahead and assemble sandwiches whenever a craving hits.
02 -
  • Dont rush the tempeh marinade, those 10 minutes make the difference between bland and deeply flavorful.
  • Keep the heat medium-low when grilling or the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Press gently with the spatula but dont smash the sandwich flat, you want it crispy, not compressed.
03 -
  • Steam the tempeh for 10 minutes before marinating to mellow any bitterness and help it absorb flavor faster.
  • Use a cast iron skillet for the most even, golden crust and that perfect crunch.
  • Let the sandwich rest for 30 seconds after grilling so the cheese sets just enough to hold everything together when you cut it.
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