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These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto!

These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #quinoabowls #vegandinnerideas

Spring is here and pesto is on my brain. And one of my favorite pesto sauces is my Vegan Kale Pesto. You get all the flavor of traditional basil pesto AND a good kick of raw greens. You’ll never know there’s kale in there. Plus when you serve it over this crispy tempeh the flavors become even more vibrant.

How to make the crispy tempeh?

I LOVE this tempeh! It is charred, crispy, goodness that is seasoned with olive oil, lemon pepper and agave. The perfect amount of sweetness and spice.

I will say that I am personally not sensitive to a bitter taste that some people taste in tempeh. If you have ever had this issue, I recommend steaming your tempeh before baking. Again, not a necessary step, but it is an option.

I also charred this tempeh to crispy perfection. You don’t have to bake it as long as me, if you prefer less crust. But I 100% recommend it!

These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #quinoabowls #vegandinnerideas

How to assemble Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls

While the tempeh is baking you can prepare the rest of the ingredients. Cook up the quinoa, blend the pesto and grab the veggies.

To assemble, layer each bowl with quinoa, cherry tomatoes, avocado, tempeh, pesto and a drizzle of olive oil. Grab a fork and dig in.

These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #quinoabowls #vegandinnerideas

How to meal prep Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls

If you are making these for meal prep, you can either keep the hot & cold elements separated, then heat and assemble right before eating. OR, you can assemble the bowl in individual containers and eat the bowls cold.

Either way, hold off on adding the avocado until right before serving.

These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #quinoabowls #vegandinnerideas

Need more recipe inspo? Check these out:

Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto!
5 from 4 ratings

Ingredients

FOR THE TEMPEH

  • 8 oz tempeh cut in strips
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp agave or maple syrup
  • 2 tsp lemon pepper

FOR THE BOWLS

  • Vegan Kale Pesto or pre-made pesto
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 4 cups spinach or greens of choice
  • 2 avocados
  • olive oil for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine the olive oil, agave and lemon pepper in a bowl. Add the tempeh and toss to coat. Place in an even layer on the baking sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.*
  • While the tempeh is cooking, prepare the quinoa, pesto & veggies.
  • To assemble, add equal amounts of quinoa, tomatoes, spinach, avocado & tempeh to each bowl. Top with pesto and a drizzle of olive oil. This can be served hot or cold.

Video

Notes

*I cooked my tempeh for the full 20 minutes because I wanted it extra charred. You can cook for less time for a more tender texture. 
**Nutrition values do not include pesto – see that recipe for nutritional value.
Calories: 393kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 47mg, Potassium: 980mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 5g, Iron: 5mg
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Course: lunch, Main Course
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below or take a photo and share it on Instagram @thissavoryvegan with #thissavoryvegan.

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These Crispy Tempeh & Pesto Quinoa Bowls are filled with greens, cherry tomatoes, lemon pepper tempeh, avocado and vegan kale pesto | ThisSavoryVegan.com #thissavoryvegan #quinoabowls #vegandinnerideas