You’ve never had a stir fry quite like Tempeh Kecap. Protein-packed tempeh is the star of the show while a sweet-and-savory sauce made from kecap manis (sweet soy sauce) and Indonesian aromatics coat each piece. It’s all tossed together in one skillet, leaving you with a surprisingly quick and easy yet gourmet meal!
This unique yet simple dish is a great excuse to make a trip to your local Southeast Asian or East Asian grocery store. Lime leaves, lemongrass, and kecap manis give this Indonesian tempeh stir fry an authentic blend of tangy, fresh, sweet, spicy, and savory flavors.
Every bite will take you on a trip around the world, just like my Vegan Pho and Thai Butternut Squash Curry.
Table of Contents:
1. About tempeh kecap
2. Why this recipe works
3. Ingredient notes
4. Step-by-step instructions
5. Tips for making tempeh kecap
6. Frequently Asked Questions
7. Recipe Card
What is tempeh?
Tempeh is a basically a fermented soybean cake, typically sold in rectangular blocks. It’s originally from Indonesia, where it’s been used in cooking for thousands of years.
Tempeh is a good source of umami thanks to fermentation. The flavor is meaty, nutty, and a little mushroom-y. And its nutrition profile is off the charts (more on that below)!
Note: Sometimes, tempeh will have dark black or blue-ish spots on it. This is not mold or a sign of spoilage. It’s safe to eat and tastes fine.
About tempeh kecap
Tempeh kecap (sometimes called tempeh manis) is an Indonesian tempeh stir fry that’s sweet, salty, a little spicy, and sticky. It’s made primarily from fried tempeh and peanuts, which are coated in an aromatic sauce and flavored with plenty of aromatics.
This dish gets its name from the popular condiment kecap manis, which is a sweet soy sauce that’s used both as a condiment and as a seasoning in Indonesian cooking.
Kecap manis is typically made from soy sauce and palm sugar, boiled down into a syrupy consistency; sometimes aromatics like lime leaves, star anise, ginger, and garlic are added. The texture and taste are similar to molasses with background notes of soy sauce.
Interested in reading more? Learn more about kecap manis over on Serious Eats.
Why this recipe works
Crispy without the excess oil.
In a traditional tempeh kecap (and in similar Indonesian recipes), the tempeh is deep fried. While I’m not opposed to deep frying (as you might know from my epic Gobi Manchurian!), choosing not to deep fry is a low-maintenance and less messy alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or texture.
Instead, the tempeh is pan-fried, making it remarkably crispy and irresistible. It honestly tastes deep fried but is a bit more wholesome.
Tempeh has (truly) never tasted so good.
If my BBQ tempeh or tempeh tacos haven’t turned you into a tempeh lover yet, tempeh kecap surely will. While tempeh has a naturally bitter and dense texture that can be hard to love, a few techniques here make all the difference.
(1) Cutting the tempeh into very small matchsticks, (2) pan-frying the pieces in oil, and (3) coating them in a sweet and sticky sauce masks tempeh’s natural bitterness and converts the dense nuttiness into crispy morsels.
A to-die-for flavor profile.
Unless you’re already familiar with Indonesian cuisine, I can guarantee you’ve never tried anything quite like this. Every bite is zingy uniquely refreshing.
And it’s all thanks to the various citrus flavors. First, fresh lime leaves bring distinctive Southeast Asian flavor right to the tip of your tongue. They perfume the entire dish with refreshingly bright and citrusy notes without the familiar tartness of fresh lime.
Lemongrass also comes into play, adding its intoxicating lemony, minty, and gingery aromas. It’s the secret to lightening up this rich Indonesian stir fry.
Ingredient notes
Tempeh. This is an Indonesian vegan meat substitute made from fermented soybeans. You can find tempeh in most grocery stores these days (next to the tofu!).
Tip: When you’re shopping, look for “original” varieties, as they have the best texture. Skip the “three grain” varieties, as their texture can be quite hard, and anything flavored (like “tempeh bacon” or “buffalo tempeh”).
Substitute: While tempeh is the key ingredient here, if you’re allergic to soy but still intrigued by these flavors, you could try a soy-free sub like jackfruit here.
Kecap manis. This is a popular Indonesian condiment that’s basically a sweet soy sauce. It adds a powerful sweet umami flavor to this tempeh stir fry.
You can find bottled kecap manis at Southeast Asian grocery stores and large East Asian markets like Hmart (ABC and Cap Bango being the most popular brands in the U.S.), or you can buy it online (affiliate link).
Make it at home: Alternatively, you can make kecap manis at home using my easy 3-ingredient recipe in the 2nd recipe card (I actually prefer this to store-bought).
Peanuts: Peanuts are an integral ingredient in an Indonesian tempeh kecap, adding a nutty crunch to each bite.
Substitute: Allergic to peanuts? Omit and/or substitute with chopped dry roasted almonds.
Lemongrass. Both East Asian and Southeast Asian grocery stores should sell fresh lemongrass. Some well-stocked grocery stores will sell pre-trimmed lemongrass in packages. If you can’t find lemongrass, leave it out.
Lime leaves. Just like lemongrass, fresh lime leaves should be in stock at most East Asian and Southeast Asian grocery stores. They may be sold as “lime leaves,” “makrut lime leaves,” or “kaffir lime leaves.”
Substitute: If you can’t find fresh leaves, dried makrut lime leaves are a good alternative (affiliate link). Keep the dried leaves whole or snip each leaf to release more flavor.
Fresno peppers. Fried tempeh in sweet soy sauce isn’t an overly spicy dish. However, if you can’t handle spicy food at all, use just 1 Fresno pepper.
Substitute: If you can’t find Fresno peppers, replace them with 1 to 2 Thai chile peppers or 1 serrano pepper (seen in the step-by-step photos). If you love spicy food, feel free to add another pepper.
Step-by-step instructions
Prep the aromatics. Slice the shallots, chile peppers, lime leaves, garlic, and bell pepper. Grate the lemongrass. Make the sauce: mix all of the sauce ingredients together in a bowl.
Cut the tempeh crosswise into very thin slices. Stack several slices on top of each other and cut those into tiny slivers. The smaller the matchstick pieces, the better.
Fry the tempeh. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet (or wok). Once it’s hot, add the tempeh and season with salt. Cook undisturbed until it’s beginning to brown, then stir.
You’ll know it’s ready when most pieces are golden brown and crispy. Transfer the fried tempeh to a paper towel-lined plate while you prepare the rest.
Make the stir fry. Lower the heat and add a little more oil before adding the shallots, garlic, and chile peppers in the pan. Cook briefly, then add the lemongrass, lime leaves, and bay leaf.
Turn up the heat and add the bell peppers, and stir fry for a couple minutes.
To assemble the stir fry, add the fried tempeh back into the pan along with the peanuts.
Pour in the sauce and toss to coat. Keep cooking until the sauce becomes sticky and covers each piece of tempeh.
Remove the lime leaves and bay leaf and season with salt and lime juice if needed. Serve over rice and enjoy!
Tips for making tempeh kecap
You need a nonstick frying pan.
It’s non-negotiable. A nonstick frying pan or wok is essential because the tempeh will stick otherwise.
If you don’t have a large pan (e.g., 12 inches), I recommend cooking the tempeh in two batches for the crispiest results.
To cook tempeh in a wok: Heat over high heat until it just starts to smoke. Add the oil and swirl it in the pan to get it up the lower sides. Add the tempeh and cook for 2 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for a total of 8 to 12 minutes. Stir every 2 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
Thin matchstick slices are key.
The key to super crispy tempeh without deep frying is to slice the tempeh very small (and to use relatively high heat). It takes a few extra minutes to slice the tempeh this way, but the crispy results are worth it, I promise.
Don’t stir the tempeh too often.
Let the tempeh fry undisturbed for a few minutes at a time. This enables it to get golden and crispy without deep frying. If you’re worried about it burning, turn the heat down slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, as they are quite different. Kecap manis is made by cooking soy sauce, palm sugar or brown sugar, and water together until it turns into a thick, pourable syrup. It’s much sweeter than regular salty soy sauce, giving you a sweet umami flavor profile.
Yes! You need just three ingredients: soy sauce, brown or coconut sugar, and molasses. It’s simple to make and more well-rounded in flavors than store-bought options, in my opinion.
Find my homemade kecap manis recipe in the second recipe card below. You can use it in other stir fries, marinades, dressings, or barbecue sauces. It will stay good in the fridge for a few months.
First cut off the nubby end of the stalk, then cut off the top half (both are quite tough). Remove the papery outer layers of the rest of the lemongrass (there will be several layers). You’ll be left with the tender, bendy inner white core that’s ready for mincing.
I also have video instructions on how to prep lemongrass in a past video if you need more help.
No, but it’s easy to make GF with a few changes: (1) replace the soy sauce with tamari and (2) instead of buying kecap manis, use my homemade kecap manis recipe (and use tamari instead of soy sauce).
Most brands of tempeh are naturally gluten free, but check the packaging to ensure they don’t contain wheat.
Tempeh kecap has a fairly sweet flavor profile. Sweetened soy sauce and brown sugar work together to elevate each bite and balance the strong citrus flavor. I recommend reducing the brown sugar from 1 ½ tablespoons to 1 tablespoon instead of leaving it out altogether.
If you love this unique Indonesian Tempeh Kecap as much as we do, please be sure to leave a rating and review below :) And as always, I love seeing your remakes on Instagram!
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Tempeh Kecap
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks of tempeh
- ¼ cup (56g) neutral-flavored, high-heat oil (avocado, grapeseed, canola, vegetable oil)
Aromatics
- 3 medium shallots, thinly sliced*
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 3 Fresno chile peppers, thinly sliced**
- 1 lemongrass stalk, outer layers peeled, then minced or grated
- 4 fresh lime leaves, finely chopped (or 10 to 12 dried makrut lime leaves, left whole)
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 medium red/orange/yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup (90g) dry roasted unsalted peanuts (salted peanuts are fine too)
Sauce
- 3 ½ tablespoons kecap manis (Indonesian sweet soy sauce)***
- 1 ½ tablespoons organic brown sugar or cane sugar****
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
For serving
- Lime juice to squeeze on at the end (optional)
- Cooked white/brown/sticky rice for serving
Instructions
- Cut both blocks of tempeh crosswise into very thin slices, almost as thinly as you can. Then stack several slices on top of each other and cut crosswise into tiny slivers.*
- Fry the tempeh. Heat a 12-inch nonstick** frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the ¼ cup oil and heat for a few minutes until hot. Add all the tempeh and season with a couple pinches of salt, and stir to coat the tempeh into the oil. Spread out the tempeh into an even layer as much as possible and cook undisturbed for 2 minutes to allow browning, then stir. Repeat this process (cook for 2 minutes undisturbed, then stir) for a total of 10 to 12 minutes, or until most of the tempeh is golden browned and crispy. Lower the heat a touch if the tempeh starts to burn.
- Mix together the Sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Make the stir fry. Return the frying pan to medium heat and allow to heat up again. Add a touch more oil (or cooking spray). Add the shallots, garlic, and chile peppers. Season with a pinch of salt. Cook until shallots and garlic start to turn color, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in the lemongrass, lime leaves, and bay leaf, and cook for 1 minute, tossing frequently.Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the bell peppers and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the fried tempeh and peanuts to the pan, and toss to coat. Pour in the Sauce, and stir for a couple minutes, until the sauce clings to the tempeh and coats it well.
- Remove the bay leaf (and dried lime leaves, if used). Taste, adding salt as needed. Finish with a squeeze or two of lime juice, if desired.
Notes
Big Vegan Flavor
Techniques and 150 recipes to master vegan cooking.
Homemade Kecap Manis
Ingredients
- ½ cup (140g) soy sauce (use tamari to keep gluten-free)
- 1 cup (152g) organic brown sugar (or coconut sugar), loosely packed
- ½ cup (120 mL) water
- 1 tablespoon molasses*, (regular molasses, not blackstrap molasses)
Instructions
- Add the soy sauce, sugar, and water to a medium or small saucepan. Stir occasionally as it comes to a boil to prevent sugar from burning, about once a minute. Once it starts bubbling, reduce the heat to medium-low or low. Simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens a bit (small bubbles and frothing are okay, you just don’t want lots of big bubbles, or it can quickly bubble over).
- Once it starts to thicken, start stirring frequently. And once it almost reaches a thin syrupy consistency, about 10 minutes in, add the molasses. Stir frequently and continue cooking for another 5 minutes, until it has thickened to a maple syrup consistency.
- Take off the heat. Carefully pour into a heat-proof jar. Once cooled to room temp, (it will thicken a fair amount as it cools), seal the jar and store in the fridge for several months.
Notes
Amazing as all RPL recipes! I haven’t found many tempeh recipes I like but this was incredible -great textures and the flavors were complex and satisfying – sweet, spicy, and then the lime and lemongrass brighten it up. Loved it!
I made this for dinner tonight and OMG!! It was awesome! So flavorful with the homemade Kecap Manis! Definitely a keeper!
That’s so great to hear, Wanda! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating alongside your review? Star ratings are big help to readers who are thinking of making the recipe. Thanks!
Thank you thank you thank you for the photo of how you cut your tempeh! I never understand people’s written directions when they try to explain that, so that was super helpful.
Made this for a friend’s b’day last night and it was a hit! She doesn’t do spicy, so I did leave out the peppers, but it was still so good. Can’t wait to make it again for just me so I can add that heat back in. Couldn’t find lime leaves at first until I asked at my local Asian market — they had them tucked away in a freezer. So glad I asked because it definitely made the dish!
Hi Erica, thank you so much for your kind review! We’re happy to provide detailed step-by-step photos for you! And good tip on the lime leaves, I’ve had the HARDEST time tracking them down! Let’s hope I can find some now :)
This was my first time cooking with tempeh and it was absolutely delicious! I’m looking forward to leftovers tomorrow 😋
Hi Paula, thank you so much for your kind review! Awesome to hear you enjoyed it!
I was curious about this recipe after I saw your video on making tempeh taste good so I went for it, and loved it!! I couldn’t find lime leaves so I used lime zest instead. Small modifications still give you an excellent result, as I’ve now come to expect from Nisha and RPL!
Your positive feedback is the best reward for our hard work. Thank you, Nicola!
Hi Nicola! Could you share how much lime zest you used in place of lime leaves? I can’t find lime leaves but want to make this recipe!
Hi Molly, when substituting lime zest for lime leaves, it’s important to keep in mind that the two ingredients have different flavors and textures. Lime leaves have a unique citrus flavor with hints of spice, and lime zest has a bright zesty flavor. I would start with 2 teaspoons of lime zest, taste, and add more to your taste. Enjoy the tempeh kecap!
Loved this recipe. I definitely cut out a bit of the sugar after watching the video. It was sweet, salty, spicy, and crunchy. Loved!!!
Oh wow, this was incredible! Even my 3yo gobbled it all up and asked for seconds! I did leave out the chilli and added some finely chopped bok choy and broccoli. I have been converted to tempeh, and will make this part of my regular recipe rotation. Thank you!
Amazing, Ella! Thanks for trying the recipe and letting us know how it went!
Hi Nisha, I was wondering, it’s a good idea to fry the tempeh in the air fryer?
thank you in advance absolutely love your work.
Hi Sharon, we haven’t tested these in the air fryer. I think pan fried is probably best, I’m thinking the tempeh may dry out in the air fryer.
I always use the airfryer for tempeh. It does reduce the amount of oil needed. Just toss the pieces in a small amount of oil before putting it in the airfryer. Of course, as Nisha says, it will be not be as moist as when frying. When feeling indulgent, I fry but when watching my oil/calorie intake, I prefer to use the airfryer.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Tess! Glad to hear making tempeh in air fryer method works well for you!
This was a hit with the whole family (I left out spicy chilis and subbed a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on adult portions), and easy to prepare. My girls even requested that I add this to our regular rotation. Pretty amazing turnaround for kids who previously disliked tempeh!
I am so glad I tried this recipe because I’ve never had anything like it. It was spicy, sweet, salty and fresh all at once. Plus, my hubby had no idea it was tempeh, so big win! Thank you for sharing unique dishes with us!
That’s music to our ears, Sharda! Glad you liked it so much (and hubby, too!).
This was so good! I made this for my family, and everybody loved it. I added more peppers for extra veggies, and it was really delicious!
I’m sorry, but i didn’t like this dish. i blame it on the tempeh. i couldn’t get over the bitterness. This is the second time i’ve tried to cook tempeh and both times, the bitterness killed it. I have made many of the dishes on this website and it’s been a homerun. However, i couldn’t make this one work. I am about to give up on tempeh.
I did cut it up into matchsticks but pan-frying it only fixes the outside. The inside? Bitter.
Hi Aashish, sorry to hear you’re not a huge fan of the tempeh. You can try steaming it before frying it next time to see if it helps! Have you tried this BBQ Tempeh recipe yet?
I saw someone from Indonesia reply on the YouTube video saying tempeh is bitter when it’s not fresh, like it should be bought the same day it’s made 😱 Maybe it would help to try to find a fresher source for it?
Yeah unfortunately you haven’t found a decent brand of tempeh. In the UK, the main brand is Tofoo company and it wasn’t bitter, just bland like tofu. It does have a long shelf life, and comes in vacuum pack. Hope that helps :)
Hi,
Thanks for your comment! It’s better if it’s bland like tofu (& not bitter) because then you can focus on just making it flavorful! :) I hope you enjoyed this recipe!
This recipe is fantastic! My partner and I are not vegans, and before trying this recipe, I’d never cooked with tempeh before. I have to say, I definitely prefer it to tofu. I’m excited to try your other tempeh recipes. Two big thumbs up! 🙂
Awesome, Jennifer. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
I watched Nisha’s video on this and that’s what drew me in. I’ve never tried any Indonesian food but all these ingredients sounded delicious. DID NOT DISSAPOINT! I used one jalapeño pepper instead of 3 Fresno peppers, cause, yikes! Amazeballs, will make again.
Awesome, Alheli. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Good recipe! I didn’t have most of anything, so I improvised. I made a soy free version as well. Which unfortunately is very important I keep soy free/ I love tamari and tempeh and such, but I had to take soy out of my diet this year, sigh! So I used Hempe instead and this really made the Hempe taste way better. I ended up using cabbage and carrots and roasted pepper as I said I didn’t have much of the ingredients. Also I ended up using coconut aminos with some much needed mushroom seasoning enhancements and a small amount of sesame oil. It was filling too! Never thought to make tempeh crispy when I did eat it, so it was a nice texture even with boring Hempe ☹️. Thanks! Best
Romeo, So glad to hear you loved this recipe despite all the modifications! Thanks for sharing!
Amazing, Nisha! I used mushrooms instead of tempeh (because I needed to use up the mushrooms before we lose power from Hurricane Ian!) And it turned out great! Loved it so much! Please do share more Indonesian recipes from your trip to Indonesia!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Maneesha! Stay safe out there! And we will relay the message to Nisha :)
Delicious! This will become a staple in our household.
Thanks for the lovely feedback, Linda!
I have never liked tempeh but decided to give this a try – so glad I did! Delicious
Awesome, Kelsey. Thanks for your comment and for taking the time to review!
Seeing as this recipe serves 5, can it be re-heated? If not, can you freeze lemongrass as they come in a packet of two stalks here.
Hi there, yes you can re-heat it. I like reheating best in a frying pan to revive some of the crispiness.
And you can freeze lemongrass. Trim off the tough ends and tops, and pull away any tough outer leaves. Cut the remaining stalk into segments and freeze in freezer bags. Thaw it beforehand so it’s easy to mince.
Thank you for the quick reply. Finally gone to a supermarket for ingredients. I’m not vegan and have only used tempeh once and not enjoyed it (when it first came onto the market I think). So I can only assume they’ve changed the recipe because I enjoyed the tempeh straight out of the pan without salt and not very crispy. Need to up the oil next time. Anyway I swapped a packet of tempeh and a bell pepper for a 250g packet of pak choi and we ate it over 2 because it was just that good! Definite repeat. Oh and I appreciate the homemade kecap manis recipe! I had no idea how bad shop bought was until the comparison. How can sweetened soy sauce not taste of sugar or soy sauce lol. It’s shocking. Anyway REPEAT RECIPE.
Of course! So good to hear the recipe was a hit :)
I’ll have to bake them soon, they look so yummy.
Thanks for the grams!
Many greetings,
Jesse Gabriel
Thanks Jesse-Gabriel, enjoy!