Is Tempeh vegan?
Yes — tempeh is whole soybeans fermented with a Rhizopus culture.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Vegan
- Category
- Meat alternatives
- Also listed as
- Tempeh
- Best swap
- Certified vegan alternatives
Why
Plain tempeh contains only soybeans, a starter culture and usually a splash of vinegar. Marinated and smoked versions can include honey or non-vegan flavourings, so check flavoured packs.
What to check on the label
- The ingredient list on your own pack — Tempeh recipes differ by country and change over time
- Milk, whey, casein, lactose, egg, honey, gelatin, carmine (E120) and shellac (E904) in the list
- "May contain milk" is an allergen cross-contamination note, not an ingredient — most vegans still buy it
Swap it for
Questions people ask
Is Tempeh certified vegan?
Certification is separate from the recipe. Many products with no animal ingredients carry no vegan mark because the maker will not rule out shared production lines. Check the pack for a registered vegan trademark, and treat the ingredient list as the primary evidence.
Does the answer change between countries?
Often, yes. The same brand name can use different fats, emulsifiers, colours or whey depending on the plant that made it, so always read the local label rather than an answer written for another market.
More meat alternatives checks
Reviewed 2026-08-24 by the Veg.ac editorial team · Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.