Tempeh & Broccoli Stir-fry
Crispy pan-seared tempeh and tender-crisp broccoli florets tossed in a savory, garlicky sauce. This quick and satisfying stir-fry is nutty, slightly sweet, and packed with satisfying plant-based protein. On the table in under 30 minutes, it's a weeknight dinner hero.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~3 min
Steam the broccoli until tender-crisp.
Place broccoli florets in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and steam until bright green and fork-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
TIPDon't overcook the broccoli — it will finish in the stir-fry and should still have a slight bite. - mix · ~1 min
Whisk together the stir-fry sauce.
1.In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and cornstarch.2.Whisk vigorously until the cornstarch and sugar are fully dissolved with no lumps. - fry · ~5 min
Sear the tempeh until golden and crispy.
1.Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok over medium-high heat until shimmering.2.Add tempeh cubes in a single layer and sear without moving for 2 minutes.3.Toss and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until golden on most sides.4.Transfer tempeh to a plate and set aside.TIPA hands-off sear in the first minute gives the tempeh a crispy crust. Crowding the pan will steam it instead. - saute · ~1 min
Bloom the garlic and ginger.
In the same wok over medium heat, add minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir constantly until fragrant and just starting to turn pale gold, about 30 seconds.
TIPAdd a tiny splash of water if the pan is too dry — garlic burns fast and turns bitter. - simmer · ~2 min
Add the sauce and bring everything together.
1.Give the sauce a quick re-whisk and pour it into the wok.2.Immediately return the seared tempeh and steamed broccoli to the pan.3.Toss everything for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze that clings to each piece. - mix · ~1 min
Finish with sesame oil, chili flakes, and scallions.
Turn off the heat. Drizzle sesame oil over the stir-fry, add the red pepper flakes and most of the sliced scallions, and toss once more to combine.
TIPAdding sesame oil off the heat preserves its delicate, nutty aroma. - garnish
Garnish with sesame seeds, remaining scallion, and serve immediately.
Transfer to a serving platter, scatter toasted sesame seeds and reserved scallion greens on top. Serve hot over steamed rice.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Pat tempeh dry before searing to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- 2Steam broccoli just until bright green; it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- 3Let tempeh sear undisturbed for 2 minutes for maximum browning.
- 4Re-whisk the sauce just before adding; cornstarch settles quickly.
- 5Add sesame oil off the heat to keep its nutty flavor intact.
- 6Use a wide pan or wok to avoid steaming the tempeh.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Pan-fry tempeh without oil using a non-stick pan and 2 tablespoons of water (steam-fry) to reduce fat while still getting a browned surface.
high proteinHigh-protein
Add 100g of shelled edamame along with the broccoli for an extra 10g of plant-based protein per serving.
gluten freeGluten-free
Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos; all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
spicySpicy
Double the red pepper flakes and add 1 teaspoon of sambal oelek or Sriracha to the sauce for a fiery kick.
veganVegan
This recipe is already vegan; ensure brown sugar is certified vegan (some brands filter with bone char).
Why this is on our healthy list.
High in Plant Protein
Tempeh, a fermented soybean product, provides about 20g of complete protein per 250g serving, supporting muscle repair and satiety.
Rich in Gut-Friendly Probiotics
The fermentation process of tempeh introduces beneficial probiotics that can aid digestion and gut health.
Excellent Source of Vitamin C
Broccoli delivers more than 100% of the daily recommended vitamin C per serving, boosting immune function and collagen synthesis.
Low in Saturated Fat
With only 2 tablespoons of oil for the whole dish, this stir-fry is naturally low in saturated fat, supporting heart health.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, but thaw and pat dry first, then reduce steaming time to 1 minute to avoid overcooking since frozen broccoli is already blanched.
