Sesame Maple Tempeh Jerky Recipe

This sweet and savory jerky is a portable, plant-based and protein-packed snack.

Prep Time: 15 minutes and 12 or more hours to marinate
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package tempeh
¼ cup (60 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) maple syrup
2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) water
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon (1 milliliter) liquid smoke
1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions

Before you begin: Wash your hands.

1. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 cup (about 1 inch) water and bring to a boil.
2. Place tempeh in the saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes, flipping it over after 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Remove tempeh from pan, pat dry and with clean cloth or paper towel and set on a cutting board.
4. Slice tempeh in half crosswise, then slice each half lengthwise, making 4 thin pieces (about ¼-inch thick). Cut each piece into 4 triangles (16 small pieces).
5. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine soy sauce, maple syrup, water, garlic powder, ground ginger, cayenne pepper, liquid smoke and sesame oil and set aside.
6. Arrange tempeh pieces in a single layer in a shallow baking dish.
7. Pour marinade over tempeh, then turn over tempeh pieces to coat both sides with marinade.
8. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours, turning over tempeh pieces once or twice while marinating so they absorb liquid evenly.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and set oven rack to the middle position.
10. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay tempeh pieces on the baking sheet in a single layer, reserving any remaining marinade.
11. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sesame seeds over tempeh. Use tongs to flip over tempeh pieces, then sprinkle remaining sesame seeds on top.
12. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip tempeh pieces.
13. Spoon any reserved marinade over the pieces, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until very golden brown.
14. Watch tempeh carefully for the last 5 minutes and flip again if necessary to prevent burning.
15. Best enjoyed warm or cooled on the day of making, jerky also can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information

Serves 8
Serving size: 2 pieces (30 grams)

93 calories, 5g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 239mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate, 0g fiber, 3g sugar, 7g protein, N/A potassium, N/A phosphorus

This recipe originally appeared in Food & Nutrition Magazine^®, published by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.