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high protein vegan salad meal prep tempeh

Smoky Lemon Tempeh Protein Salad

A fresh, high-protein vegan salad made with smoky baked tempeh, crisp greens, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Perfect for meal prep, quick lunches, or an easy dinner that actually keeps you full.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 36 minutes
Total Time 51 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 salads

Ingredients
  

Smoky Baked Tempeh

  • 2 packs (227g each) tempeh cut into small cubes
  • 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 ½ tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • ¾ tsp onion powder

Lemon Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 tbsp maple syrup to taste
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • some to taste salt & black pepper

Salad Base

  • 6-8 cups spring mix or greens of choice spinach, arugula, or romaine
  • some optional cherry tomatoes
  • some optional cucumber
  • some optional red onion
  • some optional avocado add day-of

Instructions
 

Prep and Season Tempeh

  • Cut each block of tempeh into small cubes.
  • Optional but recommended: Steam the cubes for 8–10 minutes, then pat dry. This helps mellow tempeh’s natural bitterness.
  • In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
  • Add the tempeh cubes and toss until lightly coated.

Bake Tempeh

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
  • Spread tempeh evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 22–26 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and slightly crisp on the edges.

Make Dressing and Assemble

  • Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, Dijon, salt, and pepper in a jar or bowl.
  • Let the tempeh cool completely before assembling.
  • In 4 containers, add spring mix to the bottom and top with cooled tempeh.
  • Store dressing separately or drizzle lightly if eating within 24 hours.

Notes

Storage
This salad holds well for 4 days when tempeh and dressing are stored separately.
Add-ins
Add avocado or nuts the day of eating for best texture. For extra protein, add shelled edamame or chickpeas.
Nutritional information is approximate values and can vary significantly depending on the specific brands of ingredients used. Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and should not be considered professional nutritional advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 380g | Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 480mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3200IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 140mg | Iron: 4.2mg
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