Name: Tempeh Stir-Fry With Honey Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil; 8 ounces tempeh (chopped into bite-sized pieces); 3 cloves of garlic (minced); 2 tablespoons of honey; 2 tablespoons of water; 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

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With only 6 ingredients, basic cooking equipment, and 15 minutes – you’ll have Tempeh Stir-Fry With Honey Garlic Sauce ready in no time.

Another perk? This recipe pantry-friendly, using affordable ingredients.

These tempeh bites are gently tossed with a thick coating of honey, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, and minced garlic.

If you’re into garlic – you’ll be licking the bowl after you’re done. Garlic and honey are both the winners in this dish.

So, I thought about this recipe when I was taking a look at what I had around the kitchen. I spotted a few bulbs of garlic laying out on my dining table like it was a beach party.

I knew it was time to get them swimming with sweet-and-salty flavors.

In any stir-fry recipe, it’s best to use a wok – as it distributes heats more evenly, however, if all you have is a non-stick pan, that will work fine.

What Is Tempeh?

Tempeh is a soy-based product that is made with cooked, fermented beans. Similar to tofu, it’s packed and formed into a block or “cake.”

It’s an Indonesian soy product that has gained popularity in the United Staes.

It has become a plant-based protein staple – bringing in about 20 grams of protein per serving (84g/3oz). Cheers to plants knocking out the myth that a plant-based diet isn’t rich in protein!

Since we’re on the topic protein, check out my affordable, plant-based protein list if you’re looking for more muscle-building options.

Tempeh has a mild, nutty flavor. It is relatively bland but can soak up flavor and marinades. Unlike tofu, tempeh has more of a bite – also perfect for a tempeh bacon recipe.

Tempeh can be used in other ways including as a “meat” in pasta sauce, in tacos, or in chili.

Tempeh cut into cubes and pan-fried with a bit of oil. A close up to one piece.

In this recipe, we’ll be transforming a tempeh cake into golden bite-sized pieces, to then be wrapping and folded in a thick honey garlic sauce.

How To Make Honey Garlic Sauce?

For the sauce, we’re only using 5 ingredients: garlic, honey, water, reduced-sodium soy sauce, and oil.

Minced garlic mixed with soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, honey, and water

You’ll first whisk together the above-mentioned ingredients, excluding the minced garlic. Garlic will be added later into the rest of the sauce.

The garlic will first need to cook for 30 seconds over medium heat. We’re only doing 30 seconds because we want the essence of the garlic to hit its peak and not burn.

Any longer and you risk your garlic burning and turning bitter – removing that garlicky flavor we all know and love.

Once the garlic has been lightly fried, we’ll merge the other ingredients for the sauce. Then there you have it: an easy honey garlic sauce for a tempeh stir-fry.

Honey garlic sauce can be made with a variety of ingredients and spices, but at the core – it’s made with both honey and garlic.

Depending on your stance on honey and its place in a vegan diet, you may have to opt-out and switch for a different kind of sweetener.

If that’s the direction you want to go into, you can instead use maple syrup. Or, explore vegan “honey” options and use those instead.

Mind you, I’ve never tried the vegan honey – so try it at your own risk.

So, moving on to the soy sauce. It is important to use reduced-sodium soy sauce because otherwise, the dish will be too salty.

Trust me, one tablespoon of reduced-sodium soy sauce goes a very long way in this recipe.

How To Thicken The Sauce

When you whisk together the sauce ingredients, it may look water down. However, it’s important to note that once it simmers overheat, it will thicken up.

Chopped tempeh cubes stir-fried and cooked in a honey garlic sauce

There is no need to use flour or any other thickener. The heat will take care of that.

To make this meal complete, add a serving of creamy, garlic mashed potatoes.

More Stir-Fry Recipes

For more quick and easy plant-based dinner recipes, check out 30-Minute Plant-Based Dinner Ideas.