Vegan Bacon BLT Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Plant-based BLT featuring smoky tempeh bacon, fresh vegetables, and melty vegan cheese grilled to golden perfection.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 - 1/2 tsp liquid smoke
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Sandwich Assembly

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 Steps:

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 2-3 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. Layer each with vegan cheese, half the tempeh bacon, tomato slices, lettuce, and another slice of vegan cheese. Cover with remaining bread slices buttered side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-low heat. Place sandwiches in the skillet and cook for 3-4 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 Tips:

01 -
  • It delivers that salty, smoky crunch you crave without any compromise on flavor or texture.
  • The tempeh bacon marinade is so simple you'll wonder why you ever bought the store bought stuff.
  • It comes together in half an hour, making it perfect for lazy weekend lunches or quick weeknight comfort.
  • Every bite gives you creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory all at once.
02 -
  • Don't skip the marinating time, those 10 minutes let the tempeh absorb all the smoky, sweet, salty flavor.
  • Keep the heat at medium low when grilling the sandwich or the bread will burn before the cheese melts.
  • Press gently with the spatula but don't smash the sandwich flat, you want to keep all those layers intact.
03 -
  • Make a double batch of tempeh bacon and store it in the fridge, it's perfect for quick breakfasts, salads, and snacking.
  • Use a heavy skillet or place a second pan on top of the sandwich while grilling for an even crispier crust and faster cheese melting.
  • Let the sandwich rest for a minute after grilling so the cheese sets slightly and doesn't ooze out when you slice it.
Go Back