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Tempeh vs Tofu (firm)

Tempeh vs Tofu (firm) compared per 100 g — use protein density, fat profile, and the goal of the swap to pick.

Macro table

Metric Tempeh Tofu (firm)
Calories 192 kcal 144 kcal
Protein 20 g 17 g
Carbs 9 g 3 g
Fat 11 g 9 g
Fiber — —
Protein per 100 kcal 10.4 g 11.8 g

Reference macros from AskCalories food pages (USDA FoodData Central where available). Your plate still needs portion and cooking-fat edits.

Decision rule

Pick tempeh when you want denser plant protein and a firmer, nuttier bite. Pick firm tofu when you want a milder blank canvas that takes on sauces.

Plant bowls where tempeh’s density replaces a meat portion more closely.

Scrambles, soft stir-fries, and silken-adjacent textures (still use firm tofu data carefully).

Caveats

  • Tempeh is often marinated and fried — log oils. Flavored tofu products vary.

Food notes

🥢 Tempeh

More protein and fewer carbs than tofu. Fermentation makes it more digestible than other plant proteins.

🥢 Tofu (firm)

Press before cooking for better texture. 17g protein per 100g — comparable to most animal proteins per calorie.

Track meals with editable AI estimates

Use a photo, type what you ate, or dictate into chat. Review the estimated portions, calories, protein, carbs, fat, and fiber before saving.

FAQ

Is tempeh higher protein than tofu?
Yes in typical cooked/reference entries — tempeh is denser. Tofu still works; you may need more grams for the same protein.
Tempeh or tofu for calories?
Tempeh is denser (more calories and protein per 100 g). Tofu is lighter per gram but you may eat more of it for the same protein.