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Vegan High-Protein Tempeh Stir-Fry

Vegan High-Protein Tempeh Stir-Fry

A quick and flavorful stir-fry featuring crispy tempeh, tender vegetables, and a glossy soy-maple glaze. Perfect served over brown rice or noodles for a satisfying high-protein vegan meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 2 x 200g blocks of tempeh
  • 3 tablespoons of soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
  • 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or agave nectar
  • 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons of cornflour
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable or sunflower oil divided
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves of garlic finely minced
  • 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and grated
  • 1 large red bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 200 g of tenderstem broccoli trimmed
  • 150 g of mangetout or sugar snap peas
  • 2 spring onions sliced, for garnish
  • Cooked brown rice or noodles to serve

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Tempeh: First, cut each block of tempeh into bite-sized cubes, about 2cm wide. Bring a small pot of water to the boil, then drop in the tempeh cubes. Simmer for 5 minutes. This step removes any natural bitterness and opens up the tempeh's pores, allowing it to absorb more sauce. You'll notice a faint, nutty aroma rising from the pot. Drain the tempeh well and pat it thoroughly dry with a clean tea towel.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Set this aside. In a separate, larger bowl, toss the dried tempeh cubes with the cornflour until they are evenly and lightly coated. The tempeh will look a little dusty and pale.
  3. Crisp the Tempeh: Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering and you see a wisp of smoke, carefully add the tempeh cubes in a single layer. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in two batches if needed. Let the tempeh cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes. You'll hear a satisfying sizzle. When the underside is a deep golden brown and feels firm to the touch, flip each cube. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until all sides are crispy and beautifully browned. Remove the tempeh from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
  4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add the sliced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until it softens and turns translucent. The aroma will become sweet and fragrant. Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for a further 30-60 seconds until they release their scent, taking care not to burn them.
  5. Add the Remaining Veg: Toss in the sliced bell pepper, tenderstem broccoli, and mangetout. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes. The broccoli should turn a vibrant, bright green and the peppers will soften slightly but still have a pleasant crunch. You'll hear the vegetables hissing and popping as they cook.
  6. Combine and Glaze: Return the crispy tempeh to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over everything. Toss vigorously for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to bubble, reduce slightly, and glaze all the ingredients. The sauce will thicken and cling to the tempeh and vegetables, creating a glossy, appetising sheen.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the pan from the heat. Sprinkle the sliced spring onions over the top. Serve immediately over a bed of fluffy brown rice or your favourite noodles. The contrast between the crispy tempeh, tender vegetables, and sticky sauce is absolutely wonderful.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce. The tempeh can be simmered ahead of time and stored in the fridge until ready to cook.