Nasi Goreng Tempeh: Amazing Vegetarian Fried Rice

Welcome to another great rice recipe! Nasi goreng tempeh is a wonderful and vegetarian version of nasi goreng. Definitely try it out if you’re into vegetarian food!

To make nasi goreng tempeh, simply make nasi goreng as usual. Stir-fry vegetables, spices and cooked rice, add fried tempeh and enjoy this wonderful creation. Try it out yourself!

What is nasi goreng tempeh?

If you’re a fan of southeast Asian cuisine, you likely already know about nasi goreng – a fragrant, flavorful fried rice dish popular in Malaysia and Indonesia.

But have you tried nasi goreng tempeh? This vegetarian version uses tempeh – a fermented soybean product that is widely used in Southeast Asian cuisine – instead of meat, creating a delicious and meat-free rice dish.

Step 1: Collect the ingredients

What to consider when choosing the ingredients

One of the benefits of nasi goreng tempeh is that it’s a vegetarian (and even vegan) dish that is packed with nutrients. Tempeh is a good source of protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. It’s also relatively affordable, making it a great option for those on a budget.

When it comes to the other ingredients, feel free to mix and match to your liking. For example, if you don’t have tempeh, you could use tofu instead.

You could also add other vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers or broccoli. The kecap manis adds a sweet and savory flavor, and the white pepper gives it a subtle kick. Adjust the salt to taste.

Mix in any spices you’d like, I wanted to experiment using a bit less spices than usual, like in my nasi goreng cina or nasi goreng ayam recipe. The results turned out great!

Step 2: Perfectly cook the rice

To begin making nasi goreng tempeh, you’ll want to start with perfectly cooked rice. This is important, as the rice serves as the base for the dish and needs to be cooked just right.

Start by washing the rice thoroughly, then add the rice, water and the kaffir lime leaves to a pot, the water should reach above the rice with about the height of your fingertip.

Bring this to a boil uncovered, then once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Leave to simmer until the water has evaporated, about 10-15 minutes depending on the set up and type of rice.

Timing is important so perfect it for your set up, you want to remove the heat as soon as the water has evaporated. The next very important step is to quickly stir the rice with a fork and immediately cover again.

Leave this for at least 15 minutes before adding it to stir-fry, this will greatly enhance the outcome. For the best result, prepare the rice a day in advance.

Learn more on how to perfectly cook rice in a pot or using a rice cooker in my previous posts.

Step 3: Fry the tempeh

In the meantime, begin chopping the tempeh in bite sizes. Heat up a lot of sunflower oil in a frying pan, enough to partially cover the tempeh. Fry the tempeh until golden brown and set aside.

Step 4: Fry the vegetables

Next, chop the onions and garlic, then start frying them lightly in a heated frying pan with some oil for about 5 minutes. Add the rest of the vegetables and stir fry on high heat until the carrot and tauge soften.

Add the rice and spices and stir fry for 5-10 minutes. Finally, add the tempeh. The vegetables and spices will add a lot of flavor to the dish, with the tempeh providing a chewy and satisfying texture.

Step 5: Serve and conserve nasi goreng tempeh

Finally, nasi goreng tempeh is traditionally served with a variety of side dishes and sambals. Some recommendations I have:

• Pangsit
• Bakso goreng
• Terong balado (vegetarian)
• Sambal jahe
• Sambal oelek
• Sambal manis

I personally served with sambal kacang, sambal andaliman, sambal dabu dabu and carrot sambal.

I hope you’ve liked this recipe, let me know what you think and please leave a rating!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is tempeh made out of?

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian product made from fermented soybeans. The fermentation process binds the soybeans into a cake-like form, giving it a distinct nutty flavor and firm, meaty texture. It’s highly nutritious, rich in protein, and a common choice for vegetarian and vegan diets.

How is nasi goreng different from fried rice?

Nasi goreng and fried rice actually refer to the same food! Fried rice is simply the english translation of nasi goreng, which originates from Indonesian and Malaysian languages.