Maple Miso Tempeh Vegan Bowl (Printable)

Caramelized maple-miso tempeh with sesame greens over wholesome grains for a perfect sweet-savory balance.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Tempeh & Marinade

01 - 14 oz tempeh, sliced into 0.4 inch strips
02 - 2 tbsp white miso paste
03 - 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
04 - 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
05 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
06 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 clove garlic, minced
08 - 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated

→ Sesame Greens

09 - 7 oz baby spinach
10 - 7 oz kale, stems removed and chopped
11 - 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
13 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds

→ Grain Base

14 - 2 cups cooked brown rice or quinoa (1 cup dry)

→ Garnishes

15 - 1 small carrot, julienned
16 - 2 radishes, thinly sliced
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - 2 tbsp chopped scallions
19 - Extra sesame seeds for sprinkling

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together miso paste, maple syrup, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
02 - Place tempeh strips in a shallow dish and pour marinade over, ensuring pieces are evenly coated. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, turning once halfway through.
03 - Cook brown rice or quinoa according to package directions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm until assembly.
04 - Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add marinated tempeh and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Drizzle reserved marinade over tempeh during the final minute of cooking.
05 - In the same skillet, add 2 tsp sesame oil. Sauté kale for 2-3 minutes until beginning to wilt. Add spinach and soy sauce; cook 1-2 minutes until just wilted. Stir in sesame seeds.
06 - Divide cooked grain base among 4 bowls. Arrange sesame greens, caramelized tempeh, carrot, radish, avocado, and scallions on top. Sprinkle with additional sesame seeds.
07 - Serve immediately while warm, or allow to cool to room temperature. Bowls can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The maple miso glaze creates caramelized edges that make tempeh feel genuinely luxurious
  • You get that perfect sweet savory umami trifecta in a single bowl
  • Everything comes together in under an hour with mostly pantry staples
02 -
  • Dont skip steaming the tempeh first if you want the best texture and flavor absorption
  • The marinade will burn if your heat is too high so keep it at medium and watch closely
  • Overcooked greens turn into mush so pull them when they are just barely wilted
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create those beautiful carrot ribbons instead of julienne for a more elegant look
  • Let the tempeh marinade while you prep everything else to maximize flavor without extra time

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