How to Make Tempeh

Making your own tempeh is easier than you think. Learn how to make delicious homemade tempeh for fun, for its amazing taste, or just to save money!

This article will guide you through the selection of equipment and ingredients (not just soybeans) and provide an easy soybean tempeh recipe.

Go straight to the section that interests you:

 

What Is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans. You might think of it as a firm Camembert cheese made from soybeans instead of milk.

Tempeh is highly nutritious, high in protein, easy to digest, and tasty. It can be consumed the same way as tofu or meat: marinated, cooked in a variety of ways, and incorporated into many dishes.

Tempeh is prepared with legumes (often soybeans), water, and tempeh starter culture (Rhizopus oligosporus or Rhizopus oryzae). Once the legumes are cooked, the starter culture is added, and the beans are incubated. During fermentation, the culture develops white filaments (a kind of mycelium) that bind the legumes together.

Although you can buy it at the grocery store, it is easy and safe to make tempeh at home!
 

Which Legumes Should Be Used to Make Tempeh?

Traditional tempeh is made with soybeans.

However, any legume can be used to make tempeh.

It is therefore possible to make tempeh from:

  • White beans, black beans, pinto beans, azuki beans, red beans, etc.
  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils
  • Lupines
  • Gourganes (or Broad Bean or Fava Bean)
  • and all the others!

Note that in the FAQ at the end of the article, you will learn that it is also possible to use grains to make tempeh
 

Using Dehulled Legumes

This is by far the easiest option!

To make tempeh, the legume shells (teguments) must be removed! Otherwise, the culture cannot penetrate the seed. Therefore, an important step is saved by using legumes that have already been splited, broken, or dehulled.

You can use:

 Dehulled Soybeans for Tempeh
 

Using Whole Legumes

You can use any whole legume, but they will need to be dehulled by hand, or broken so that the culture can colonize the heart of the legume.

The most common technique for dehulling legumes is to soak them overnight. The legumes are then massaged, and the hulls are removed with finger pressure.

It is not necessary to remove all the hulls, but it is better to remove most of them.

It is also possible to roughly break up the legumes with a flour grinder before soaking, or with a knife after they are cooked.
 

What Equipment Is Needed for Tempeh?

The following items are needed to make tempeh:

  • Large saucepan
  • Large bowl
  • Large spoon
  • Clean dishcloth
  • Ziploc bags
  • Cooking thermometer

 

Bagging Tempeh

During fermentation, tempeh must retain moisture and breathe at the same time. Traditionally, banana leaves are used. However, outside the tropics, this is more difficult to find.

Therefore, the most common solution is a perforated Ziploc bag.
 

Tempeh Incubator

The most important thing is to find a way to incubate the tempeh at the right temperature.

The ideal temperature for incubating tempeh is about 86°F (30°C). If the temperature is too low, the spores will take longer to develop. If the temperature is too high, the spores may die.

It is important to maintain the temperature for the first 12 hours. After that, stop heating, because the tempeh starts to create its own heat and may overheat!

There Are Several Ways to Incubate Tempeh:

  • In an oven with the lights on
  • In a dehydrator
  • With a thermocirculator and a hot water bath
  • With a seedling heating mat
  • In a cooler with containers of boiling water

 

How to Make Homemade Tempeh?

There are five main steps to making homemade tempeh.
 

1. Preparing the Legumes

Legumes should be soaked overnight and dehulled. To simplify the recipe, choose dehulled beans.
 

2. Cooking

The beans should be cooked, but still crisp, as the cooking process will continue during fermentation.
 

3. Inoculating

After cooking, the beans should be drained and dried to remove as much moisture as possible. They do not have to be completely dry, but not wet to the touch.

The vinegar is then added, followed by the tempeh starter.
 

4. Bagging

The simplest technique for bagging the legumes is to use resealable plastic bags with hand-made holes.

This technique allows some moisture to be retained (but not too much!) and air to pass through so that the spores can develop.

It is important not to pack the legumes too tightly in the bags, nor to overfill them (max. 1 inch / 3 cm thick) so that the culture can breathe.
 

5. Incubation

The bags are incubated at a temperature of about 86°F (30°C). After 12 hours, monitor the temperature and turn the bags over to allow the culture to breathe.

Incubation can take 24 to 72 hours. Tempeh is ready when the legumes are completely covered with a dense white film.

Soybean Tempeh Recipe

This recipe for soybean tempeh allows you to easily prepare your own homemade tempeh. In 48 hours, you will have delicious tempeh ready to cook or store.
5 of 1 rating
Preparation Time 1 hour
fermentation 2 days
Servings 1 kg

Equipment

  • 1 large saucepan
  • 1 Large bowl
  • 1 Large spoon
  • 1 clean dishcloth
  • 1 strainer
  • 1 fork
  • 1  oven with incandescent bulbs (or another type of incubator)
  • 1 Cooking thermometer
  • 3 Ziploc bags (medium size)

Ingredients
 
 

Steps
 

Preparing the Legumes

  • Place the soybeans in the large bowl and cover with 8 cups (2L) of cold water.
  • Soak the soybeans overnight (or longer). 
  • Drain the beans, rinse, and discard the water. 
  • If you are not using dehulled soybeans, remove most of the hulls by hand.

Cooking the Soybeans 

  • In a large saucepan, bring 8 cups (2L) of water (unsalted) to a boil. 
  • Add the soybeans to the saucepan. 
  • Cook, uncovered, for about 25 minutes or until the soybeans are al dente.
  • While cooking, skim off any foam that forms on the surface. 
  • Drain very well. 

Adding the Starter Culture

  • Spread out well the soybeans on a clean dishcloth and rub lightly to dry them off.
  • When the soybeans are dry to the touch, transfer them to the mixing bowl. 
  • Add the vinegar to the beans. Mix well.
  • Add the spores. Mix very well. 

Bagging

Incubation

  • Place the bags on a tray or directly on the oven rack. 
  • Turn on the oven light and open the door. 
  • After 60 minutes, check the temperature with a thermometer placed on a bag. If the temperature exceeds 90°F (32°C), then open the oven door slightly more to keep the temperature around 86°F (30°C). Check the temperature from time to time.
    Tempeh incubation temperature
  • After 12 hours, turn the bags over and turn the oven light off.
  • The tempeh is ready to be consumed when a white film covers the entire soybeans, and the beans form a solid loaf. Fermentation of the tempeh can take from 24 to 72 hours.
  • Refrigerate or freeze the tempeh to stop fermentation.

Notes

Tempeh can be kept in the fridge for about a week. It can be kept in the freezer for several months.
Have you tried it?Share and tag @revolutionfermentation!

 

How do you eat tempeh?

Here you are, with fresh, beautiful chunks of tempeh ready to be cooked!

Besides being rich in protein, tempeh is also high in fibre. It can easily replace meat or tofu in your meals.

To cook it, be inspired by Indonesian, Asian, vegan, and fusion recipes… or create your own!

Here Are Our Favourite Recipes:

  • Tempeh burger
  • TLT (Tempeh Lettuce Tomato) or TMK (Tempeh, Mayo, Kimchi) sandwich
  • Asian-style glazed tempeh
  • In a dragon bowl
  • In a stew with coconut milk
  • Tempeh ribs in BBQ sauce
  • Simply fried in oil

Is tempeh too strong for your taste? Boil it for a few minutes before adding it to your recipes.

Note: Always cook tempeh before eating it.

Eating Tempeh Salad
 

Avoiding Mistakes and Improving Your Technique

As you can see from the tempeh recipe, making tempeh is relatively simple. However, it is normal to make mistakes at first or to want to improve your technique.

To successfully make tempeh, or to improve your technique, you need:

  • A good starter culture.
  • Perfectly clean equipment.
  • Good control of the incubation: temperature, humidity, and acidity.

 

Good Tempeh Starter Culture

It may sound obvious, but to produce good tempeh, you need a good starter!

This means:

  • Having a tempeh starter with a high concentration of active spores (example: 8 million spores/g).
  • Having a tempeh starter with an unexpired Best Before date.
  • A tempeh starter stored in a cool and dry place (ideally in the freezer).

If your tempeh starter is a few weeks past its Best Before date, add more when inoculating.

It is not recommended to reuse a portion of tempeh as a starter culture (backslopping), as there is a risk of contamination.
 

Clean Equipment

To limit the risk of contamination, it is recommended to thoroughly wash and sanitize the equipment that will be in contact with the tempeh culture. Sanitizing destroys microorganisms that are still present after cleaning.

This is especially true if you reuse incubation material (Ziploc bag or other reusable containers), as these may still contain microorganisms after cleaning.

You should pay particular attention to the cleanliness of:

  • The spoon used to take the culture.
  • The cloth used to dry the beans.
  • The incubation bag or container.

Sanitation can be done with:

For full details, read How to Clean and Disinfect Your Equipment
 

Environmental Control

Temperature

The incubation temperature should be between 80°F and 92°F (27°C and 33°C) to allow for proper growth of the tempeh.

A temperature that is too high could favour the development of pathogenic bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus.

Since tempeh produces its own heat after a few hours of fermentation (it is said to be exothermic), it is important to monitor the temperature. Generally, 12 hours after the start of incubation, the heating is stopped, as the tempeh itself produces enough heat to reach the desired temperature.

Acidity

Acidity protects against harmful bacteria. It is therefore important to add vinegar when preparing tempeh.

Vinegar can be added at two different times: when soaking the legumes, or when adding the culture.

Even if the acidity of the tempeh decreases during fermentation, it will still be safe, as the enzymes and molecules created by the culture will carry on protecting against harmful bacteria.

Oxygen

Tempeh culture needs oxygen to grow, otherwise, it will suffocate! However, tempeh must not be allowed to dry out during fermentation.

A good level of oxygen is obtained by punching holes in a small Ziploc bag. You also want the beans to have a good texture and not be overcooked and allow air to circulate between the beans.

Depending on the type of incubator, more or fewer holes can be made in the bags or no bags at all.

Moisture

When bagging, the legumes should not be wet to the touch. Too much water on the legumes promotes the growth of bacteria and slows down the colonization of the tempeh culture.

To remove as much moisture as possible, drain the legumes as much as possible after cooking, then spread them out on a clean cloth and rub them lightly. A fan may be used.

Waiting for the legumes to dry in the open air is not recommended. Too long a waiting time between cooking and inoculating opens the door to contamination.

If you see drops of condensation in the bags during incubation, the beans were probably too wet.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about Tempeh

 

Can tempeh be made from grains?

Yes, tempeh can be made from a variety of cereals and grains such as rice, quinoa, millet, barley, buckwheat, sunflower, etc.

You can make tempeh from grains only, or you can mix grains and legumes. Cook the grains al dente in a separate saucepan and drain them well. Add them to the legumes along with the vinegar.
 

Can Tempeh Be Made Without Starter?

No. Unlike other fermentations such as fermented vegetables, you need a starter culture to make tempeh. You cannot make tempeh without tempeh spores.

It is not advisable to use tempeh as a starter culture (backslopping), as there is a risk of contamination (and intoxication). We recommend always using tempeh spores from a reliable source to start a new recipe.
 

Can Canned Legumes Be Used to Make Tempeh?

No. Canned legumes are not suitable for making tempeh. They are overcooked and make tempeh taste mushy.

In addition, they contain added salt or additives, which slow down and hinder the fermentation process.
 

Can I Make Tempeh Without Plastic Bags?

Yes, it is possible to make tempeh without plastic bags!

Resealable plastic bags (such as Ziploc) with holes create an environment that is neither too wet nor too dry, with good air flow.

This environment can be recreated in various ways:

  • Banana leaves (traditional technique)
  • Reusable silicone bags with holes
  • Closed and perforated plastic containers

Open containers can also be used. However, the tempeh may dry out quickly, which may affect the fermentation process. This technique is ideal if you use a hot water bath to ferment the tempeh, or if you can maintain a high level of humidity in your incubator.

Under these conditions, you can use:

  • A shallow glass dish
  • Silicone moulds
  • Stainless steel catering dishes

If necessary, cover one side with a lid or with perforated aluminum foil to allow air flow.
 

Why Didn’t My Tempeh Ferment?

If even after 48 hours, your tempeh still doesn’t show any signs of fermentation, there’s a problem!

There are several possible causes:

  • The legumes were not shelled enough
  • The incubation temperature was too low or too high
  • There was not enough air flow
  • The spores were no longer good or too weak

Don’t be discouraged! With a few adjustments, you can make delicious tempeh.
 

Why Is My Tempeh Black?

When tempeh ferments too long, black spots appear.

This is perfectly normal and edible! These are tempeh spores.

In Indonesia, very ripe, black tempeh is called Tempe bosok. It is prized for its stronger taste and smell compared to fresh tempeh.

Ripe tempeh may have a stronger ammonia smell. This is normal and safe. Next time, remove the tempeh a little earlier from the incubator.

Tempeh with black spots
 

Why Is the White Part of My Tempeh Uneven?

Sometimes the mycelium does not grow evenly everywhere and leaves parts of the legumes untouched.

Poor air flow in this section or insufficient mixing of the spores may be the cause.

Discard the uncolonized parts and eat the rest.
 

How Do I Know if My Tempeh Is Good?

Well-fermented tempeh is covered with a white mould and has a mushroom and undergrowth smell with a hint of ammonia.

It is easy to identify tempeh that has not succeeded:

  • Rancid garbage smell
  • Slimy or sticky texture
  • Bright-coloured mould (green, pink, orange, etc.)

It is then recommended to throw it all away.
 

Are There Any Risks in Eating Tempeh and How Can I Avoid Them?

Some fermentations, such as sauerkraut or kombucha, are protected from pathogens by their natural acidity. However, tempeh does not have this natural defence and precautions must be taken to ensure that there is no contamination.

Don’t panic! Tempeh is much safer to eat than many foods in your fridge (especially if they contain animal products).

Bacillus Cereus Bacterium

The health risk with tempeh is mainly due to the Bacillus cereus bacterium. This can cause indigestion which resolves spontaneously within 24 to 48 hours (ref.).

How to Prevent the Development of Bacillus Cereus?

  • The optimal incubation temperature for Bacillus cereus bacteria is 98°F (37°C), so it is important not to overheat tempeh during incubation to prevent the growth of the bacteria.
  • Bacillus cereus does not tolerate acidity, so the addition of vinegar is essential.
  • Cleanliness of the equipment is required to prevent contamination. Sanitation is recommended, especially if incubation containers are reused.
  • Having a quality culture also helps to protect against contamination.

For more information, read How to improve your technique.
 

What Is Better Between Rhizopus Oligosporus & Rhizopus Oryzae?

There are two main strains for tempeh making: Rhizopus oligosporus and Rhizopus oryzae.

Both cultures can be used to make tempeh at home, but they are slightly different.

The more common culture is Rhizopus oligosporus, which colonizes faster tempehs made from various legumes. However, Rhizopus oryzae is excellent for creating amino acids and processing complex fats from legumes, especially soybeans.

Both strains offer comparable quality results and can be used in any recipe.
 

Can I Eat Raw Tempeh?

No. We do not recommend eating tempeh raw. Always cook it before eating it.

Most store-bought tempeh is pasteurized and therefore safe to eat raw. Homemade tempeh, on the other hand, should always be cooked to avoid infection by harmful microorganisms.
 

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