Vegan Bacon BLT Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Plant-based comfort at its finest: smoky tempeh bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and melty vegan cheese between crispy grilled bread.

# What Goes In:

→ Smoky Tempeh Bacon

01 - 7 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
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 to 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 to 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers all the smoky, salty crunch you crave without any compromise on flavor or texture.
  • The tempeh bacon crisps up beautifully and holds its own against the creamy, melty cheese.
  • It comes together in half an hour, making it perfect for lunch or a quick dinner when you need something hearty.
  • Every bite has that satisfying contrast of crisp, creamy, fresh, and rich all at once.
02 -
  • Don't rush the tempeh marinade, those 10 minutes make the difference between bland and deeply flavorful bacon.
  • Keep the heat at medium-low when grilling the sandwich or the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel to avoid a soggy sandwich, I learned this the hard way.
  • Press the sandwich gently but firmly while grilling to help the cheese melt and everything meld together.
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, it distributes heat evenly and gives the bread the most gorgeous golden crust.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a minute after grilling so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't all ooze out when you cut it.
  • If you're making multiple sandwiches, keep the finished ones warm in a low oven while you grill the rest.
  • Double the tempeh bacon recipe and keep extra on hand, it's incredible crumbled over salads or tucked into wraps.
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