Best Tempeh Meatballs Recipes

VEGAN MEATBALLS WITH TEMPEH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. ​
• In a small sauté pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and thyme and sauté for another minute, stirring often, until fragrant. Set aside
• In a food processor, blend together the tempeh and walnuts until they are broken down into a moldable texture.
• Transfer tempeh/walnut mixture to a large bowl. Add sautéed onions and garlic, along with the remaining ingredients. Stir together until well combined. You may find that using your hands is best.
• Roll the meatball mixture into balls 2 heaping tablespoons in size and place on the prepared parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until meatballs are browned and crispy on the outside.
• Remove from oven and serve as an appetizer, in your favorite sandwich, or over pasta.

SIMPLE VEGAN MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 C) and prepare flax egg in a small dish by mixing flaxseed meal and water and let it rest for a few minutes.
• In a large, deep skillet, sauté onion and garlic in 1/2 Tbsp olive oil (as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) over medium heat until soft and translucent - about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Add tempeh to food processor and pulse to break down. Then add sautéed garlic, onion, and remaining ingredients (except olive oil) and mix, scraping down sides as needed. You want it to form into a moldable "dough."
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. The tempeh will come across as a little bitter, but once coated, baked and served with marinara it's not nearly as apparent.
• NOTE: Depending on how salty your vegan parmesan cheese is, you may need to add a little salt and pepper at this point. However, I didn't find it necessary.
• Scoop out 1 Tbsp amounts of dough and roll into balls. At this time, heat the same skillet you used earlier to medium heat.
• Mix remaining bread crumbs and parmesan cheese together in a shallow dish. Add tempeh balls one or two at a time and roll to coat.
• Add enough olive oil to form a thin layer on the bottom of your hot skillet, then add your coated tempeh balls in two batches, as to not crowd the pan. Brown for about 5 minutes total, shaking the pan to roll them around to brown all sides.
• Add browned meatballs to a baking sheet and add to the oven to bake for about 15 minutes, or longer if desired for a crispier result.
• At this time, prep any pasta your want to serve with your meatballs, as well as your favorite marinara sauce (I love this pizza sauce).
• Once meatballs are deep golden brown and fairly firm to the touch, remove from oven.
• To serve, top cooked pasta with meatballs and pour over marinara sauce. Top with another sprinkle of vegan parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to a few days, though best when fresh.

SIMPLE TEMPEH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place the tempeh into a wide, deep skillet or frying pan. Add the broth and tamari. Bring the liquid to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the tempeh crumbles until they've absorbed all of the liquid, about 10 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
• In a food processor fitted with the S blade, process the walnuts, fennel, oregano, and nutritional yeast till the mixture is a fine meal. Add the crumbled tempeh. Pulse to combine all of the ingredients well. The mixture should be dense and a bit sticky.
• Roll the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. You should have 22-24 total. Place the balls onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes. Flip them over, then continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until they're lightly browned.
• If you have the time, allow the meatballs to cool for at least 1-2 hours before using. To simmer the meatballs in marinara sauce, bring 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce to a simmer in a sauce pot. Add the tempeh meatballs and simmer for 5 minutes. Otherwise, serve the tempeh meatballs with pasta, in vegan subs, in grain or pasta bowls, or pop one or two as a savory snack!