Tempeh Bolognese Crumble

Name: Tempeh Bolognese Crumble
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb fresh tempeh, crumbled; 1 small onion, finely diced; 2 medium carrots, finely diced; 2 stalks celery, finely diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp olive oil; ⅓ cup dry red wine (or 1 tbsp balsamic + ¼ cup water); 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tbsp tamari; 1 tsp each: dried oregano, dried thyme; ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg; salt + pepper

June 19, 2026

Tempeh Bolognese Crumble is a soy-free tempeh weeknight dinner made with fresh, fermented chickpea tempeh instead of soy. A few simple swaps keep it gluten-free, too.

4 servings · About 45 min · Soy-free · Gluten-free option

Why fermented chickpea tempeh

Fermented chickpea tempeh is the backbone here: soy-free, nutty, and protein-dense, with a firm bite that crisps and browns instead of falling apart.

Ingredients

1 lb fresh tempeh, crumbled
1 small onion, finely diced
2 medium carrots, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
⅓ cup dry red wine (or 1 tbsp balsamic + ¼ cup water)
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp tamari
1 tsp each: dried oregano, dried thyme
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
salt + pepper

Instructions

Soffritto. Heat olive oil large Dutch oven medium. Add onion, carrot, celery. Cook 10 to 12 min, stirring occasionally, until deeply soft and caramelizing. Don’t rush.
Add garlic 1 min, stirring.
Brown the crumble. Medium-high. Add crumbled tempeh. Cook 5 to 7 min until lightly browned.
Deglaze. Add wine. Stir, let cook off 2 min.
Simmer. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, tamari, herbs, nutmeg. Reduce to low, cover partially, simmer 20 to 25 min until thickened.

Chef note: Better the next day. Use on pasta, polenta, stuffed potatoes. Add 2 to 3 extra tbsp water during simmer, fresh tempeh has more moisture than commercial.

Make it with

This pairs with Tempeh Chorizo Crumbles. Start from a block of OG Raw Chickpea Tempeh (shop it here). Short on time? Reach for our heat-and-serve Chorizo Rice Skillet.

Allergen swaps

Tamari → coconut aminos. Pasta (if serving) contains WHEAT → use GF pasta or serve over polenta/rice.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tempeh Bolognese Crumble soy-free?

Yes. Our tempeh is fermented from chickpeas, not soybeans, so this recipe is naturally soy-free. Check any packaged sauces or condiments if soy is a strict concern.

How do I make it gluten-free?

The tempeh itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread, tamari, or noodles wherever the recipe calls for the standard version, and confirm any packaged sauces are gluten-free.