Teriyaki Tempeh Burgers

Makes 2-4 burgers from 2 blocks of tempeh

This recipe is intended for those who wish to make burgers with their own marinade out of whole blocks of tempeh. For the recipe for our pre-marinated burgers (Santa Fe, curry, miso, etc), click here.

Step 1: Cut Out the Patties

Ingredients:

2 Blocks of tempeh 

Preparation:

Use a 4-inch biscuit cutter, or glass cup that is about that diameter to cut out the shape of a circle in each block of tempeh. Depending on the thickness you prefer, you could also cut the tempeh circles horizontally to make four thinner patties. Save your scraps for another use!

Step 2: Create a Soaking Brine

Ingredients:

1/4 c Soy sauce or tamari 

1/2 c Rice vinegar or Apple cider

1/4 c Water

1/4 c Sugar or honey

2 tbsp Mirin 

2 tbsp Sesame oil

1 tbsp Chile flakes

1 tbsp Finely minced garlic

2 tsp Grated ginger

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until combined, then either add your tempeh patties to the bowl, do so in a deep dish like a hotel pan or casserole dish, or a gallon-sized ziplock bag. The goal is to get a good even soak. You only need to soak for no more than 30-45 minutes. Make sure to flip the patties once or twice during that time. Preheat your oven to 400.

Step 3: Turn Your Brine to Glaze

Preparation:
After your tempeh patties have soaked in the brine, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Remove the patties to a plate, and add your brining liquid to the saucepan. Reduce this liquid to about half (if you go a little too far just add a few tablespoons of water at a time to adjust the consistency). This won’t take long over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the glaze from the heat and place off to the side.

Step 4: Cook up the Burgers

Ingredients:

Sesame oil, enough to coat your pan

1/4 c Water

Buns and burger toppings of your choice

Preparation:

Heat up a cast iron pan without oil, right until its about to smoke. Add your tempeh patties and cook on each side for about 30 seconds, until they start to blacken and brown. Add your oil then, just enough to cover the pan and turn down the heat to medium-low and cook until you get a good dark brown and slight blackened look. (Just like a meat burger!) Add your glaze to the pan with 1/4 cup water. Put the pan into the oven for about 3-5 minutes until the burgers look sticky and the sauce has further reduced.

Take the pan out, evenly coating the burgers with the glaze on all sides. Feel free to sprinkle some sesame seeds onto the burgers at this point. You now have a sticky-icky burger to add to your favorite bun and with you favorite toppings—like sauteed onions, mushrooms, and greens!