½blocktempeh (4 ounces), cut into 4 triangles or rectangles (depending on your bread surface shape)
1mediumsweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch slices
1teaspoongrapeseed oil
¼onion, grated
1small clovegarlic, minced
¾cupketchup
2tablespoonsapple cider vinegar
1tablespoonsriracha, or other hot sauce
2tablespoonsmaple syrup
1tablespoonvegan worcestershire sauce
Assembly
2lightly toasted rolls of your choosing(I went the crusty multigrain route)
½ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
big handful of sprouts
thin red onion slices
Instructions
Make the sauce: heat the grapeseed oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the grated onion and garlic and saute until very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ketchup, vinegar, sriracha, maple syrup and worcestershire sauce to the pot and stir to combine. Bring mixture to a light boil, stirring here and there. Simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 7-10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside (leftover sauce will keep for one week in the fridge in a sealed, non-reactive container).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Place the tempeh pieces and sliced sweet potatoes in a medium-large saucepan. Cover with water by about an inch and simmer until sweet potatoes are soft, about 7-8 minutes. Carefully remove tempeh and sweet potatoes to a plate. Pat dry with a kitchen towel. Place tempeh and sweet potatoes on lined baking sheet.
Heat your barbecue to medium-high or set your oven to broil. Brush tempeh and sweet potatoes with barebecue sauce. Place under the broiler or onto the barbecue. Flip and baste with sauce every minute or so, until coated to your liking and there's a bit of char on the outside.
Place warm tempeh and sweet potatoes on to bread of your choice with desired toppings. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
I always simmer/steam tempeh for a bit before I apply a final cooking treatment just to tamp down the bitterness a bit.
Tofu would also apply beautifully here if tempeh is unavailable.
Vegan BBQ tempeh sandwiches are a perfect plant-based option for all of your summer cookouts. Sticky, flavourful and hearty!