‘It’s Actually a Superfood!’ Why Tempeh Is Suddenly on Every Menu – and Coming to a Supermarket Near You

People seem to have had their fill of mock-meat burgers, veggie sausages and fake chicken. Last month, the Grocer reported that Quorn and Linda McCartney’s, the UK’s leading meat-free brands, lost a combined £15.7m in 2024. Overall sales of meat substitutes fell by 6%, or £30m.

But that doesn’t mean meat is back on the menu. According to Eating Better, an alliance of environmental, animal welfare, public health and social justice charities, meat consumption in the UK has been on a downward trend for more than a decade. Its 2024 survey found that fewer people eat meat every day, 61% are willing to eat less and 24% reduced their consumption in the past year.

Enter tofu and tempeh, which are flying off supermarket shelves. The Grocer says tofu sales are up 15.3% in the UK, while tempeh is one of the fastest-growing foods. Tiba Tempeh, the UK’s biggest producer, has announced a 736% increase in sales year on year. Its main rival, Better Nature, increased sales by 128% in the same period. Both have recently raised more than £1m in funding to expand internationally.

Tofu has been in supermarkets for years but, despite its burgeoning popularity, tempeh remains relatively unknown. So what exactly is it, and why has it suddenly taken off?