As the seasons change, so do the foods that tend to appear on our plates. Autumn brings cooler weather, darker evenings and a natural shift towards heartier, warming meals.
Seasonal eating is a simple way to connect with what’s available at different times of year. Autumn produce is often more robust in flavour and texture, lending itself well to slow cooking, comforting dishes and cosy evenings in the kitchen.
What is seasonal eating?
Seasonal eating refers to choosing ingredients that are naturally harvested at certain times of year. In the UK, this often means lighter, fresh produce in summer and more earthy vegetables as the weather cools.
Many people enjoy seasonal cooking because it:
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Encourages variety across the year
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Makes use of readily available produce
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Inspires different cooking styles and flavours
Rather than focusing on nutrients or outcomes, seasonal eating is about working with what’s in season and enjoying food in its natural rhythm.
Autumn ingredients to cook with
As autumn arrives, you may find your preferences shifting towards warmer, more filling meals. This is also the time when vegetables such as:
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Squash and pumpkin
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Cabbage and leafy greens
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Celeriac
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Potatoes and root vegetables
become more widely available. These ingredients are commonly used in soups, stews, bakes and tray-roasted dishes, making them ideal for autumn cooking.
Cooking with tempeh in autumn
Tempeh is a fermented product where whole soybeans are held together by fermentation, giving it a firm, easy-to-cook texture. It originated in Indonesia, where it has been eaten for centuries as part of traditional cuisine.
Its structure makes it particularly suited to autumn dishes — it can be crumbled into sauces, baked into pies, or simmered gently in stews and curries alongside seasonal vegetables.
Four autumn recipes to try
To make seasonal cooking easy, we’ve pulled together four of our favourite autumn-ready recipes from the Tiba Tempeh kitchen. These dishes are comforting, flavourful and well suited to cooler evenings.
1. Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie
Few dishes feel more autumnal than a shepherd’s pie straight from the oven. This plant-based version features a rich filling made with tempeh, lentils, walnuts and vegetables, topped with golden mashed potato.
A great option for relaxed weekends or make-ahead meals.
👉 Find the full Tempeh Shepherd’s Pie recipe here.
2. Tempeh Rendang Curry
Inspired by Indonesian flavours, this rendang-style curry uses aromatic spices, coconut milk and tempeh for a deeply savoury dish that’s perfect for cooler nights.
Serve with rice and your favourite toppings for a comforting, flavour-packed meal.
👉 View the Tempeh Rendang Curry recipe here.
3. Creamy & Spicy Tempeh Pasta
This creamy pasta dish is ideal when you’re craving something warming and indulgent. Cashews create a smooth sauce, while sweet chilli tempeh pieces add a gentle kick.
It’s a great example of how tempeh works just as well in cosy comfort food as it does in lighter dishes.
👉 Get the Creamy Tempeh Pasta recipe here.
4. Hearty Lentil & Tempeh Stew
Perfect for batch cooking, this stew combines lentils, vegetables and crumbled tempeh in a rich tomato-based sauce. It freezes well and is ideal for busy weeks when you want something ready to reheat.
A reliable, one-pot option for autumn evenings.
👉 Find the full Lentil & Tempeh Stew recipe on our site.
Making the most of the season
Autumn is a great time to slow down in the kitchen, try new recipes and enjoy meals that bring warmth and comfort. Cooking with seasonal ingredients and versatile foods like tempeh makes it easy to adapt dishes to what you have on hand.
If you try any of these recipes, don’t forget to tag @tibatempeh — we love seeing what you cook.
Lots of love,
The Tiba Tempeh Team
