Easy Creamy Peanut Tempeh Curry has both comforting and exciting flavors. With the combination of protein-rich tempeh, delicious seasonings, and a creamy peanut butter it creates a symphony of taste that’s satisfying.
This Asian inspired vegan tempeh curry has exotic and comes together in about 30 minutes only. Its simple to cook and a delight to the taste buds.
About Tempeh
It is a traditional Indonesian plant-based food made from fermented soybeans. Along with being a great source of plant protein, tempeh also provides prebiotic fibers which are excellent for gut health. It has a dense chunky texture and has a strong fermented and earthy flavor.
I love to cook tempeh and my air fryer tempeh bacon is one of my favorites.
For a quick lunch or weeknight dinner my family loves tempeh stir fry. I also use as stuffing in my wraps. For appetizers, I like to serve tempeh crostini and tempeh stuffed mushrooms.
Why you will this recipe
Healthy and protein packed
Simple and Quick
One pan meal
Ready in 30 minutes
Ingredients
Ingredients notes
Oil – sesame oil or olive oil both works great.
Tempeh – original tempeh meaning uncooked and unflavored tempeh works here. it is easily available in any store.
Bell peppers – I used red and green bell peppers in this tempeh curry recipe but you may use any colored bell peppers.
Peanut butter – Creamy peanut butter works best here. If desired chunky peanut butter can also be used but make sure its unflavored and unsweetened.
Vegetable broth – this gives a nice texture and taste to the curry.
Coconut milk – I like to use beverage style coconut milk instead of full flat coconut milk in my recipes. It keeps my recipes low in calories yet has the same comfort taste.
Tomato puree – just a little tomato puree gives a nice taste to this curry.
Soy sauce – low sodium soy sauce works great. You may use tamari for gluten free option.
Sriracha – this gives a nice kick along with some extra flavor.
For detailed measurement of ingredients please scroll down to the bottom of this post.
How to make
Firstly I heated a nonstick pan and greased it with cooking spray. Then, I placed the tempeh slices in it in a single layer and cooked from all sides until each slice was golden brown in color. With the help of tongs, I took each slice out in a plate and kept aside.
Secondly, in the same pan, I heated oil and sauteed scallions and garlic.
Next, I tossed in bell peppers and sauteed for 30 seconds.
Thereafter, I added peanut butter, vegetable broth and coconut milk to it. I whisked it with the spatula at high flame until peanut butter blended well. This takes about 4-5 minutes
Afterwards, I added soy sauce, tomato puree, sriracha sauce, salt and pepper. I mixed everything well and cooked again for 4-5 minutes over medium flame.
After that, at a low flame, I folded in cooked tempeh. I turned off the flame and let it rest covered for 2 minutes.
Lastly, I garnished with green onions and served over the bed of steamed rice.
This was the best tempeh curry and we all loved it. In fact my family wanted me to make it more often.
Hence, I promise this peanut tempeh curry will be on your favorite list.
Serving tips
- Rice – Serve it over the bed of steamed rice or boiled brown rice. Even quinoa tastes great with it. You may even serve it with mushroom fried rice or schezwan fried rice also.
- Noodles – Stir fry noodles pairs amazingly with it.
- Salad – Enjoy it with cabbage salad as a side.
Storage tips
This tastes best when served immediately but the leftovers can be refrigerated in an air tight glass container for about a week. Warm it well in the microwave before serving. If you feel it has thickened a bit then add little vegetable broth to it and warm it on the stove top. Adjust its salt and spice as per taste.
Expert tips
- Do not overcook the bell peppers. They should be crunchy and cooked but not mushy.
- It is important to let the curry cook until peanut butter blends well in it for the best results.
- While cooking tempeh, make sure to keep flipping each slice to all the sides so they are evenly cooked from all sides.
It has a nice spicy, tangy and nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness from peanut butter. It also has subtle Asian taste to it also. Tempeh has its own chewy texture and earthy taste which adds to the nice texture.
I have sauteed tempeh in this recipe before adding to the curry. This helps in mellowing down the bitter taste.
Yes! Its packed with protein, prebiotics, good fats, fiber and antioxidants.
More related recipes
Tofu Meatballs Curry
Thai Red Curry
Butternut Squash Curry
Mushroom Masala Curry
Black Bean Curry
Asian Tofu Curry
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Easy Creamy Peanut Tempeh Curry
Ingredients
- 8 oz original tempeh (sliced length wise)
- cooking spray
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
- 2 tbsp scallions
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 cup green + red bell peppers (sliced length wise)
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk (in tetra pack beverage style)
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
- Salt as per taste
- 1/2 – 1 tsp crushed black pepper (as per taste)
Instructions
- Heat a nonstick pan and grease it with cooking spray. Place the sliced tempeh in a single layer. Keep flipping them with the tongs so that they are evenly cooked to golden brown from all sides. Take them out on a plate and keep aside. (This may take about 4-5 minutes).
- In the same pan add olive oil or sesame oil and sauté scallions and garlic in it for 30 seconds.
- Toss in bell peppers and sauté again for 30 seconds – 1 minute. Do not overcook. Bell peppers should be crunchy and not mushy.
- Add vegetable broth, peanut butter and coconut milk to it. Whisk or stir over high -medium flame until peanut butter melts very well. (This may take about 3-5 minutes).
- Stir in soy sauce, tomato puree, sriracha sauce, salt and black pepper. Cook over medium flame for 4-5 minutes.
- Bring the flame to low heat and fold in the cooked tempeh. Turn it off and let it rest covered for 2 minutes. Do not cook at this stage.
- Remove the lid, gently mix everything and garnish with greens of green onions/scallions. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- This tastes best when served immediately but the leftovers can be refrigerated in an air tight glass container for about a week. Warm it well in the microwave before serving. If you feel it has thickened a bit then add little vegetable broth to it and warm it on the stove top. Adjust its salt and serve.
- While sautéing tempeh as mentioned in the first step, you may use 1 tsp of olive oil instead of cooking spray if desired. The nutritional value may vary slightly.
- If sriracha sauce is spicy for you, feel free to skip it or add its quantity as per taste.
- After folding in all the ingredients as mentioned in step 6, do not cook. Just cover the pan with a lid and let it rest in its own heat and steam.
suja md says
Delicious and tremendous recipe.
Gunjan says
Thank you Suja!
Charah says
I have tried this recipe and this is very easy to make, so delicious as well! thanks for sharing
Gunjan says
So glad you liked this curry Charah!
Shelby says
The tempeh and peanut work really well together here! It’s a great combination of flavors, and so healthy too!
Gunjan says
Thank you Shelby!
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this curry for dinner last night and it was delicious! So easy making it in one pot, and so flavorful!
Gunjan says
Thank you Taylor for trying this recipe and loving it so much.
Heather says
Such a tasty and quick curry, delicious and perfect for busy days!
Gunjan says
Thank you Heather!
Ashley Dedeaux says
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I love peanut butter, and I like there are not a ton of ingredients to gather.
Gunjan says
Thank you Ashley!
Sheila K. says
Oh MY, it looks great! Can’t wait to cook em this Sunday!
Gunjan says
Thank you Sheila!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
This is perfect for days where you need a quick and easy meal. I will need to look up tempeh and where to buy it around me!
Noel Lizotte says
Who doesn’t love one-pot meals?! This is a versatile recipe, you can add whatever additional spices or veggies you want to change up the menu – eat this dish several nights a week and have it a bit new every time.
Danielle Wolter says
peanut butter curry? i am sold! this sounds incredible. great flavors and of course i’m super excited about the peanut butter!
Diane says
I thought this looked rather bland. I used a can of coconut milk instead of the 1 1/2 cups of water and added some turmeric, cumin and coriander. It smells good and I expect we’ll enjoy it!
Thanks!
Joanie @ One Dish Kitchen says
What a delicious sounding dish, I love all the spices and flavors.
Gunjan says
Thank you Joanie.
Shannon says
Love anything with a peanut butter touch! YUM!!
Gunjan says
I totally agree with you Shannon. I love peanut butter too.
Joan says
This looks very delicious and is perfect for vegetarians.
Gunjan says
It indeed is.
Belle says
Yum! that looks really good!
Belle | One Awesome Momma