Warm Tempeh Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Hi friends! How’s your morning going? Thank you so much to those of you have entered the giveaway (now over). Today I have a tempeh recipe that even the Pilot enjoyed! It’s a delicious warm tempeh salad with mustard vinaigrette. Scroll down for the recipe!

Bella has been itching to do something fun – I can tell when she gets cabin fever – so Livi and I took her to the dog park. It was absolutely beautiful – mid 60s! – and there were so many cute and friendly little dogs there. The fellow dog owners got the biggest kick out of Livi – the dogs were cracking her up, so she belly-laughed the whole time we were there.

The best.

dog park with Livi and Bella

Caro is not quite ready for the dog park yet.

Caro kiss

Something random that Livi and I have done a few times lately: Costco. I kind of have an obsession. It makes no sense because Costco is not really a place one should have to visit often -that’s kind of the point of Costco haha- but it’s fun to walk around. Ok, the samples are fun, too. 😉

I picked out my snowman of the year and texted a picture to the Pilot.

Costco snowman

In my dream world our entire front yard is illuminated with multiple LED snowmen.

We never get many things -thank goodness- but usually someone will need something from Coscto and meet us there. It’s like a family pizza meeting spot 🙂

Costco stuff

(Not pictured: Little Mermaid DVD. Livi was holding it and very excited to watch)

It’s funny because some weeks are so challenging, and others feel much easier. Last week was kind of a rough one -lots of things going on- and this week has been so much fun. Some weeks are on, some are off.

Last week, I didn’t get a chance to do much cooking, and this week I’ve been all over it.

Like with this warm tempeh salad:

Tempeh salad

Warm Tempeh Salad

I had a block of tempeh in the fridge and I knew if I didn’t turn it into bacon, nothing would happen with it.

Tempeh

But instead, I decided to use it as the star of a warm salad, flavored with my current favorite salad dressing. It was really quick to put together and came out extremely well.

Chard

(Beautiful chard!)

The Pilot was watching a movie while I was cooking, and said, “What are you making in there? It smells amazing.” He even ate a huge bowl of it, which says a lot since he isn’t the biggest tempeh fan.

Tempeh and veggies

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

warm tempeh salad

 xoxo

Gina

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Warm tempeh salad with mustard vinaigrette

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A savory warm salad, perfect for the chilly autumn months! Feel free to use your favorite protein instead of the tempeh

  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 block of tempeh, cut into strips
  • 1 red bell pepper, julienned
  • 2 small zucchini, julienned
  • 1 bunch of swiss or rainbow chard (or 2 cups of spinach), ribs removed and leaves pulled into bite-sized pieces
  • Olive oil (or butter), salt, pepper and smoked paprika
  • Olive oil, salt, pepper and smoked paprika

For the vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon
  • Splash of hot sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. 1. In a large skillet set to medium heat, add some olive oil or butter and the tempeh. Sprinkle the tempeh slices with salt, pepper and smoked paprika. Cook until browned, at least 3 minutes each side.
  2. 2. While the tempeh is cooking, prepare your vinaigrette by whisking all ingredients in a small bowl.
  3. 3. After the tempeh is browned, push it aside and add a little more oil and the remaining veggies. Cook until the greens have wilted.
  4. 4. While the veggies are sautéing -remember the keep them slightly crisp and not mushy- use your wooden spoon or spatula to break the tempeh into smaller pieces.
  5. 5. Drizzle the vinaigrette on top -I use about 1/2 the mixture and save the rest for salads- and lightly toss.
  6. 6. Quickly transfer to plates and enjoy!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2

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43 Comments

  1. Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat on November 6, 2013 at 10:11 am

    I have yet to try cooking with tempeh, but this recipe is really making me want to try it out. Yum!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      let me know if you do 🙂
      xoxo

  2. Jackie on November 6, 2013 at 10:23 am

    I’m not a tempeh fan either but it does look good!!!

  3. Megan on November 6, 2013 at 10:50 am

    I’ve never tried tempeh, but the dressing looks super yummy!

  4. Sara on November 6, 2013 at 11:05 am

    I’ve never tried tempeh…not sure my husband would go for it 😉

    Also, are those squeeze pouches with chia seeds mixed into fruit/veggies? My 3 year old loves the applesauce pouches but these look great with the chia seeds in them. I will have to get to Costco ASAP!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      yes! the ones i bought were strawberry banana. liv LOVES them, and i love them stirred into goat greek yogurt

  5. Lisa on November 6, 2013 at 11:07 am

    I love stir fried tempeh, it tastes so amazing. Same with when it’s baked. Can’t get enough.
    Especially with all these warming veggies, I bet it’s awesome.

  6. Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run on November 6, 2013 at 11:07 am

    mmm, that dressing sounds delicious and versatile!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      it’s glorious on salads!

  7. FitBritt@MyOwnBalance on November 6, 2013 at 11:13 am

    That tempeh salad looks so good! I am totally with you on the on/off weeks. Some weeks I am all over things and super productive and everything is going swimmingly and other weeks it’s a struggle to get even one thing on my to do list done. Oh well, I guess that’s life! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      seriously! it ebbs and flows.

  8. Yaara Leve on November 6, 2013 at 11:32 am

    That looks delish! I might try that with fish or chicken. I’m not a huge soy fan.

  9. Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl on November 6, 2013 at 11:45 am

    This sounds delicious! I am a big time fan of tempeh, and I LOVE finding new recipes to utilize it in. Tempeh is so underrated!

  10. april on November 6, 2013 at 12:38 pm

    i’ve never cooked with tempeh before (i’ve only tried it at a vegan restaurant), but this warm salad looks so delicious and satisfying! it doesn’t hurt that i’m currently on the biggest zucchini kick either 😉

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      looooove zucchini too 🙂

  11. Livi on November 6, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    I love tempeh but never know what to do with it!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      tempeh bacon is another delicious option 🙂

  12. Captain Comptition on November 6, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    This is the first I have heard of tempeh. That dressing sounds amazing. I love to have an easy to make at home dressing rather than the store bought bottles.

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      let me know if you give it a try!

  13. Ashley on November 6, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    Ahh too cute, The Little Mermaid is the movie I used to always watch with my mom!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:12 pm

      we’ve watched it 3 times already. she loves it!

  14. shelby on November 6, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    Livi is such a cutie! And that tempeh looks really good. I never know what to do with it….now I do!

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:11 pm

      let me know if you try it! 🙂

  15. Kellie @ keeprunninkellie on November 6, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Am I the only one who doesn’t know what tempeh is?

    • Melissa C. on November 6, 2013 at 3:27 pm

      No, because I was wondering the same thing!

      • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 4:03 pm

        i feel bad- i should have included a little blurb about what the heck it is! tempeh is made using fermented soybeans. it’s an awesome veggie protein option and has a mild, nutty taste. it works great in any recipe you’d usually use ground meat

  16. Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs on November 6, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    That salad looks great — simple & delicious!

  17. Kailey on November 6, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    Between the Chia Squeeze and The Little Mermaid, I am quite envious of your Costco purchases 😉

  18. Christine @ BookishlyB on November 6, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    The only time I can ever get to Costco, since I work all day, is on the weekends. The massive amounts of people that randomly stop in the middle of the aisles for no obvious reasons make me border-line homicidal.

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      hahaha! it’s SO TRUE. i’m thinking, “walk! just walk!!!”
      costco shopping is very intense

  19. kyla on November 6, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    I use to pretend I was Ariel at the pool and hold myself up on the side and sing ” Part of Your World”. The joy’s of childhood!

  20. Hazel @ The Comfort Zone and Beyond on November 6, 2013 at 9:21 pm

    I’ve challenged myself to a month as a vegan and I’m struggling 6 days in! Will definitely give this a shot (with maple syrup instead of honey).. looks delicious, thanks for sharing 🙂

  21. Erin on November 6, 2013 at 9:53 pm

    Did you get the tempeh at Costco?

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 10:06 pm

      no, that was a whole foods find. i wouldn’t be surprised if they had it at costco, though!

      • Erin on November 7, 2013 at 4:49 am

        Thanks! I’ll keep an eye out at WF for it.:)

  22. Kristina g. on November 6, 2013 at 10:01 pm

    so you dont eat the red part of the chard stalk?

    • Fitnessista on November 6, 2013 at 10:06 pm

      i don’t love it -too chewy for me!- but many people still eat it

  23. Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate on November 7, 2013 at 4:16 am

    I always seem to forget about warm salads since I tend to associate salads with warm weather, but they are so perfect for fall! I have a block of the same tempeh, but it got moved to the freezer when I made the same realization that is wasn’t going to be used any time soon, my solution was just much less creative (and delicious) than yours. 😉

  24. Alex @ Kenzie Life on November 7, 2013 at 8:56 am

    It’s not even 7 am where I am right now, but I could definitely eat this in like, two hours. I haven’t had tempeh in a while (I really have to be in the mood for it), but combined with a mustard vinaigrette it sounds heavenly!

  25. Katrina on November 7, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    LOVE your post, and always look forward to trying out all the yummy recipes! There is a wealth of information here and I love picking on your ideas. We are actually moving to Tucson in March. Wondering if you could recommend a good yoga studio and/ or gym? On my last visit there I noticed LA Fitness? But I’m sure there are hidden jewels in Tucson 🙂 Thanks in advance!

  26. Katrina on November 7, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Also, wondering if you wouldn’t mind sharing your favorite kitchen brands in one of the posts? We are newlyweds and I’m stocking up on pots, pans, tableware, kitchen must haves etc etc. Any advice/thoughts would be appreciated, by other readers too I’m sure! Sorry for all the requests 🙂

  27. Anna @ Fitness à la Anna on November 7, 2013 at 2:16 pm

    I haven’t quite ventured into the land of tempeh yet – I use firm tofu all the time, though, so I def have to check this out soon! Thanks for sharing the recipe, looks delish 🙂

  28. Mike Luque on November 10, 2013 at 10:32 am

    I never think of making salads. If I was a bit more creative with them I might eat them more often.
    Have you ever tried boiling your tempeh for 10 minutes before frying it? It changes the tempeh, smooths out the flavor and consistency. It’s my preferred way of preparing it. Cut it into the slices you’ll be using, put it in a pot of water with 2 tbsp of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce if you prefer), bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and continue on with the recipe.

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