Vegan Bacon BLT Grilled Cheese (Printable)

A plant-based take on the classic BLT with smoky tempeh bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomato, and melty vegan cheese grilled between bread slices.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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
07 - 0.5 tsp garlic powder
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Sandwich

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

# How-to:

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 sandwiches in half and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The tempeh gets this crispy, sweet, smoky edge that honestly rivals any bacon Ive ever had.
  • Its messy in the best way, with melty cheese and tomato juice running down your fingers.
  • You can throw it together on a weeknight and still feel like youre eating something indulgent.
  • It uses ingredients you probably already have, or can grab in one quick trip.
02 -
  • Dont cook the tempeh over high heat or itll burn before it crisps, medium heat is your friend here.
  • If your bread is browning too fast but the cheese isnt melting, lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid for a minute.
  • Press the sandwich gently while grilling, it helps the cheese melt into all the layers without squishing everything out the sides.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the tempeh bacon and keep it in the fridge, it stays good for days and makes weekday lunches so much easier.
  • If you want extra crispy bread, brush the outside with a little olive oil instead of butter, it gets even crunchier.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a minute after grilling, the cheese sets just enough that it wont all slide out when you cut it.
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