With more and more people switching to a healthier lifestyle, tofu’s previously relatively unknown cousin, tempeh, has started appearing in stores and recipes alike. But, where can you find this plant-based meat substitute in the grocery store?
You can usually find tempeh next to tofu in the refrigerated unit of the grocery store’s natural food/ vegan section. However, in grocery stores with no dedicated health foods section, you can usually locate tempeh beside refrigerated produce.
Keep reading to learn more about what stores carry tempeh and what to look for when buying it.
3 Places To Check In The Grocery Store For Tempeh
If you have never shopped for tempeh at the grocery store of your choice, you may be a little lost at first. So here we cover all the possible places (from most likely to least likely) where you can find this traditional Indonesian food.
1. Natural Food/ Vegan Section
The most likely place where you can find tempeh in any grocery store is the refrigeration unit of the natural food or vegan section (some stores call the vegan section the health foods section too). One trick to quickly locate tempeh is to go where you usually get tofu (which is found in the same section). More often than not, you will see this soy-vegan meat replacer next to the tofu.
Helpful Tip: When asking for assistance from a store employee to find tempeh, you can ask for the location of tofu instead. Both are usually placed together, and tofu’s well known, so the store associate may be able to help you better.
2. With The Refrigerated Produce
If your store does not have a vegan/ vegetarian/ natural/ health food section, or you cannot find tempeh in the refrigerated cases, the next place to look for is where refrigerated produce is stocked.
Many well-known grocery store chains keep tempeh with refrigerated produce that goes bad when placed at room temperature. Bog stores have tempeh in these refrigerated sections where you can find other mock meats and faux bacon.
3. Meatless Freezer Section
Although least likely, some stores also carry tempeh in their frozen food aisles. Tempeh is usually a refrigerated product, but depending on where you are shopping, you may find it (or some meat alternatives that incorporate it) in the freezer with other meatless options.
Where Can You Buy Tempeh?
Despite its rising popularity in recent times, tempeh can be somewhat tricky to find in all grocery stores, especially when compared to tofu. It’s definitely not a staple pantry find everywhere. However, there are certain places where you can be sure to find this superfood.
Natural Food Or Health Food Stores
The most reliable place to get tempeh (previously the only place where you could get this meat alternative form) is natural food or health food stores. Thus, if you have one in your vicinity, you can get tempeh from them.
Moreover, such stores also carry various vegan ingredients and essentials that you cannot find elsewhere.
Most Famous Grocery Chains
Nowadays, most retail big names like Target, Walmart, and Kroger stock tempeh. You can find various famous tempeh brands in these grocery chains, such as Lightlife. However, it can sometimes be challenging to find the Indonesian staple in big-box stores since it is not stored in traditional locations. In such a case, ask the floor staff to help you.
Local Tempeh Maker
You can also skip looking for tempeh in stories and find yourself a local tempeh maker. Some cities have small businesses that make tempeh. For example, in Minneapolis, you can buy this meat substitute from Tempeh Tantrum, available at various stores and restaurants. So, be sure to research local sellers.
Specialty Grocers
Specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts combine health stores, and big retail formats all carry tempeh. Whole Foods and Sprouts have built their business on selling natural organic products, and Trader Joe’s has its own brand of tempeh. Thus, you can be sure to find tempeh in these stores. In fact, their widespread locations have played an essential role in introducing healthy meat alternatives like tempeh to the masses.
Can You Buy Tempeh Online?
All giant retailers and grocers like Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and Whole Foods that carry tempeh sell it online. Another online retailer which sells tempeh in a lot of variety is Amazon.
What Does Tempeh Look Like When Packaged?
If you are someone who is buying tempeh for the first time, knowing what this fermented vegan food looks like in its packaging is essential.
The tempeh block is shrink-wrapped to increase its shelf life. The top side of the wrapper has the nutritional value, while the back is see-through so you can view the product you are buying. Do not be alarmed if you see dark gray spots on the tempeh block. These are spores that indicate the full maturation of tempeh. Any mold that keeps growing or is hairy should not be eaten. Similarly, if your tempeh block starts to smell like ammonia, it’s time to ditch it.
The Bottom Line
You can find tempeh refrigerated next to tofu in the health food or vegan section of grocery stores. Other likely places include the refrigerated produce case or the meatless freezer aisle. In addition, you can find tempeh in shrink-wrapped packages, with the block showing through on one side. Moreover, you can also order this vegan superfood online from Amazon and other big retailers that carry it.