Welcome to Plan n Cook — plan meals, shop once, cook with less stress.

Home kitchen plans

Caramelized Tamarind Tempeh

Caramelized Tamarind Tempeh

Cuisine:Asian

Course:Dinner

10m prep 10m cook 20m ready

2 to 3 servings This sticky, sweet-sour dish is one of our favorite ways to prepare tempeh. It comes together as quickly as a pot of rice and Roasted Broccoli for a healthy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Servings:
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced
  • 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated or minced
  • 2 whole star anise
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 8 ounces tempeh (steamed if desired)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or coconut oil
  • (Sesame seeds)
  • 1
    • 1 cup canned coconut milk
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup jasmine rice
    • ¾ teaspoon salt
    • (⅓ cup shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut, toasted)
    • (Cilantro leaves)
    Sub-recipe steps
    1. Bring to a boil in a large saucepan: 1 cup canned coconut milk; 1 cup water; 1 cup jasmine rice; ¾ teaspoon salt
    2. Stir once, cover, and cook over very low heat until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle over the cooked rice: (⅓ cup shredded or flaked unsweetened coconut, toasted); (Cilantro leaves)

Let's Cook

  1. Step 1.

    Combine in a small bowl: 3 tablespoons orange juice; 2 tablespoons lime juice; 1 tablespoon water; 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar; 1 tablespoon tamarind paste; 2 garlic cloves, grated or minced; 1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated or minced; 2 whole star anise; ¼ teaspoon salt or 2 teaspoons fish sauce

  2. Step 2.

    Cut into ½-inch-thick strips: 8 ounces tempeh (steamed if desired)

  3. Step 3.

    Warm in a large skillet over medium heat: 2 tablespoons vegetable or coconut oil

  4. Step 4.

    Add the tempeh to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Flip and brown the second side. Add the tamarind sauce to the skillet and allow it to simmer until reduced and thickened, flipping the tempeh once to caramelize both sides, about 3 minutes. When the tempeh takes on a deep mahogany color, remove from the heat. If desired, sprinkle with: (Sesame seeds)

  5. Step 5.

    Serve with: Coconut Rice

Ratings & reviews

Have you made this? Take a moment and let us know what you think. Sign in to leave a rating.

Get weekly meal ideas

Fresh recipes and planning tips from Plan n Cook.

Plan a week

Drop recipes onto breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every day.

One grocery list

Ingredients combined and scaled to your household servings.

Cook from recipes

Browse the library and public kitchens when you need inspiration.

Keep your kitchen

Save favorites, pantry items, and meal plans in one place.