The vegan tempeh sandwich that encompasses fall and all its flavors! Smoky tempeh, sweet apples and spicy arugula, a perfect dipper for those winter soups.
Fall isn't always about soups and chills, sometimes you want a quick and easy sandwich. Or maybe just a little something to dip in your soup! That's exactly what prompted me to make this fall inspired smoky stack of goodness.
Soup and sandwich, relationship goals
I love soup and all, but often times I feel like I need something with a little chew. Which is why more often than not, you'll see me dipping thinks into my soups. From bread, to crackers (scratch that, crackers get mushy in soup and that makes me gag), to pretzels to sandwiches! And this sammy is no exception.
Not only does it have a flavor bomb so bomby (does that even make sense?) but it pairs perfectly with my Ultimate Creamy Winter Squash Soup. Oh you haven't tried that soup yet? Do it. Stat. Because it's reaaaally cozy and good.
Making sandwich perfection
So let's say we've had a long day. And we are really tired. Like almost grab a bag of chips and call it dinner tired. But we are such food snobs, that flavor is like life and if we don't eat something delicious it could be detrimental.
So we remember that there is a package of smoky tempeh in the fridge (I like this one), and of course we have apples and arugula because all things fall right now. And then all we need to match the flavors of smoky tempeh, sweet apples and spicy arugula is some Caramelized Onion Aioli.
So if you happen to not be able to make this aioli (which I get, but really though, make it), then you could just use some vegan mayo and call it a day. But it would be a very sad day.
If you have all these things (or you are smart enough to plan and get them prepped the day before), then making this tempeh sandwich goes a little something like this:
- Bake tempeh. Gather ingredients.
- Smooth aioli on bread, divide ingredients between bread slices and serve sandwich. Or try to before little hands steal it away (#3 is the cutest little chubby hand model).
Apple, Arugula and Smoky Tempeh Sandwich
Ingredients
- 16 smoky tempeh strips , either prepackaged or make your own(see notes)
- 2 red apples , sliced into thin rounds
- 20 arugula leaves , add more or less for your preference
- 8 slices your favorite bread , gluten free if needed
- 6 tablespoons Caramelized Onion Aioli (or use store bought mayo for easy option)
Instructions
- If using prepackaged smoky tempeh strips, then cook them in a toaster or regular oven or in a pan on the stove until crisp. If making your own, then see notes on the options I have.
- Toast bread, then smooth aioli on 4 of the slices.
- Divide tempeh, apple slices and arugula between the 4 slices of bread. Top with the rest of the bread slices.
- Dig in!
Notes
- You can buy premade smoky tempeh slices (see the link on the one I use in the ingredients) or you can make your own. Be advised that store bought smoky tempeh may have gluten. If you make your own, you can make my BBQ flavored tempeh and slice it into thin strips, or you can also make coconut bacon for a more bacon like flavor. You could also use the marinade from the coconut bacon (I'm guessing you'd need to double it) and rub it on thin strips of tempeh to marinate a bit, then cook it. I haven't tried this but just an idea.
- I used red apples for this but any apples would work.
- The Caramelized Onion Aioli recipe will yield much more than needed here but you can refrigerate or freeze for later use, or you can make less.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Annemarie
Delicious! But not sure where the numbers for the nutrition came from. The actual calorie count is 455 per sandwich.
4 strips of tempeh 100 calories
1/2 Apple 40 calories
Arugula 25 calories
2 slices bread 200 calories
Vegan aioli 90 calories
veggiesdontbite
Hi Annemarie! So glad you liked it! As it says under the nutrition info, it should be considered an estimate. I don't calculate the nutrition myself (I don't believe in numbers when it comes to food so don't worry about this), it is automatically calculated through my recipe card. Unfortunately it isn't always accurate. I did go in and reset it and it changed a little but that's the best I can do. I definitely encourage people to calculate everything themselves if needed due to variances in all the online calculators and also brands people use. Thanks for providing what you calculated!
JD
The flavor combo here is amazing!
Cassie Autumn Tran
Sandwiches are ridiculously easy to make, which I ADORE. I've tried apples in a sandwich for a sweet-style sandwich more often than savory. I keep seeing apples in these salad-style sandwich combinations, so I feel even more incentivized to try them all! Your tempeh apple and arugula sandwich looks fantastic. Perfect to feast on during a cold evening when you're tired and in need of a quick and comforting dinner! YUM!
veggiesdontbite
Yes! They are so easy to throw together. And so customizable! Thanks so much Cassie!
Nicole
I made this tonight and paired it with the winter squash soup. This was a heavenly meal, and so so easy, especially since I made the soup and aioli the night before (on a lazy Sunday). This was my first time trying tempeh (and my husband's too), and we are huge fans! So delicious, fulfilling and healthy-feeling. I think I am going to use the cartelized onion and sage aioli on EVERYTHING this fall.
veggiesdontbite
Oh yay!! I love the pair of these recipes together. Such great and different flavors. Thank you so much and I'm so happy you loved it!
Letty / Letty's Kitchen
Found you via FB veggie sharing group. I love tempeh and this sandwich is right up my alley! Looks like we use the same bread too!
veggiesdontbite
Thanks so much Letty! It's a fall favorite. And love the bread!
Ashley Cox
Wonderful combination of some of my favorite ingredients!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Ashley! The flavors mesh really well. And so easy to make!
Kyra
Oh yum, these sandwiches are the bomb! So easy but bursting with flavour <3
veggiesdontbite
Thank you Kyra!
The Vegan 8
You may have convinced me to try tempeh! Your sandwich looks incredible and I love that you added argula. I LOVE arugula!! I eat it by itself all the time!
veggiesdontbite
Omg I LOVE arugula too!!! I eat it as my green of choice whenever I can. Too bad you don't live closer because you'd love this vegan arugula salad at this local place we go! Definitely try the tempeh. Get in touch with questions because it's good if you do it right!
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I am obsessed with tempeh and cook with it almost every night so this smoky sandwich is just perfect for me to create. Thanks for the great recipe and idea!
veggiesdontbite
Awesome! Let me know how you like it!
M-R
I must say that this looks mouth-watering, Sophia ! Can you dry pan fry the tempeh ? I'm about to start watching weight (for the millionth time), and will be avoiding oil to a degree ...
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! Absolutely! I just put it in the toaster oven though without needing oil. I bake it in there on tin foil. Works great.
M-R
I think I might get one (again). We used to have one, in the days when my husband was alive: we made toast in it and everything ! 🙂
Thanks heaps !
veggiesdontbite
No problem! They are a nice thing to have because it can bake things that are small without using a whole oven and could save a little money on electricity/gas!
M-R
And here in NSW we need to save on both, being, as we are, completely RIPPED OFF by the Pricing Tribunal's allowing them to increase prices whenever they want.
Thanks, Sophia !
cloudthyme
What a wonderful combination! I love the sweet and savory together
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!! Me too!!
theveganmuffinwoman
This sounds like a wonderful fall combination!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! I love the different flavors!
bscartabello
This sandwich sounds fantastic! Need to make this to take to work! xx
veggiesdontbite
Thank you!! It's super easy if you use store bought strips and great for lunch!
Yanic A.
That looks amazing!
veggiesdontbite
Thank you! It's a great fall sandwich and delicious dipped in my winter squash soup!
Yanic A.
I am making hubbard/pumpkin soup this week-end! Looks like we have a meal. 🙂
veggiesdontbite
Absolutely!! It's awesome dipped in the soup too!