Tempeh vs. Tofu: Which Is Better for Your Health? Karen Ansel, MS, RDN Replay Video Tempeh vs. tofu What's old is new again. We're not talking about mom jeans. Both tempeh and tofu have been around for hundreds of years, and their popularity is skyrocketing today. In 2020, tempeh and tofu sales jumped 41 percent, according to the Plant Based Foods Association. They're great sources of healthy plant-based protein, and unlike, say, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, tempeh and tofu have short, simple ingredient lists. Nutritionists love them because they're incredibly healthy, versatile, and surprisingly inexpensive. But when it comes to tempeh vs. tofu, which is the best bet? Here's how they compare nutritionally and the potential health benefits they can offer.