Teriyaki Tempeh and Broccoli
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Published Jun 01, 2021, Updated Feb 27, 2024
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A vegan version of beef and broccoli, this one-skillet teriyaki tempeh and broccoli recipe is loaded with flavor and perfect for weeknights when you need to get a healthy meal on the table fast!
This here is an oldie but goodie tempeh recipe back from my early days of blogging. The photo I originally posted to share the recipe is pretty terrible. <– Feel free to check it out if you need a laugh today.
But despite the photo, several readers still had faith in me, made the recipe and commented about how good it turned out. I remade it just last month, was reminded of its greatness and decided it needed a little upgrade. Beyonce style.
15 Minute Miracle
This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in your home! It’s packed with flavor and has a ton of plant-based protein. I’m glad the pictures now reflect how absolutely delicious this recipe is!
Vegan Beef and Broccoli
This is a healthy, vegetarian/vegan take on beef and broccoli, my Chinese take-out dish of choice growing up. It’s just as delicious and satisfying! And like most of the dinner recipes you’ll find here, this one is pretty easy to toss together — no cooking experience needed. Everything is cooked in one skillet so you don’t have to worry about cleaning a bunch of dishes either. Hooray!
What is Tempeh?
If you’re new to tempeh, welcome. Here’s all you need to know!
Tempeh is a plant-based protein made of cooked soybeans (think edamame) that have been fermented. The fermentation process binds the soybeans into a cake/patty, which is what you’ll find at your local grocery store.
The flavor is usually described as nutty or earthy, but there are different varieties with subtle taste differences. I’ve tried a ton of different kinds of tempeh and the Lightlife brand is my favorite for a few reasons: it’s organic, gmo-free and easy to find in most major grocery stores.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- tempeh – Like I mentioned above, I am a big fan of Lightlife tempeh!
- nutritional yeast flakes – nutritional yeast adds a delicious umami flavor to the dish so don’t skip it! If you’re unfamiliar, it’s is an inactive yeast made from molasses. It’s yellow in color and can be found in the spice section of most grocery stores. I typically buy the Bob’s Red Mill large flakes.
- fresh broccoli – I love serving this dish with broccoli but you could substitute for a different vegetable if you’d like.
- garlic cloves – the perfect flavor base to add to this savory recipe.
- olive or avocado oil – to sauté the tempeh and broccoli
- homemade teriyaki sauce – made with tamari (gluten-free soy sauce), maple syrup, garlic, ginger and olive oil.
- cooked rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice – pick any base you’d like to serve with this teriyaki tempeh.
- chopped scallions and sesame seeds – for garnish!
How to Make Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
I know it’s tempting to grab a bottle of teriyaki sauce off of the shelf when you’re in the grocery store, but I promise it’s super simple to make at home!
Here’s what you need:
- olive or avocado oil – adds healthy fats and helps bind the rest of the ingredients together.
- low sodium tamari or soy sauce – make sure you grab low sodium! This dish can be pretty salty if you don’t.
- maple syrup – a hint of natural sweetness.
- garlic cloves and fresh ginger – two spice necessities for this Asian-inspired sauce!
Simply whisk all of the ingredients together and you have homemade teriyaki sauce!
How to Serve This Dish
The choice is yours for how to serve this up! I like serving the tempeh over a base of rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice. For added flavor and to bring the entire dish together, I recommend garnishing with sliced green onions and sesame seeds!
More Tempeh Recipes
- How to Cook Tempeh
- Sweet and Sour Tempeh
- Maple Tempeh Bowls
- Curried Cauliflower and Tempeh Bowl
- Tempeh Tacos
- Maple Balsamic Tempeh Bowls
More Teriyaki Favorites
Be sure to check out my guide for how to cook tempeh as well as all the full collection of tempeh recipes here on EBF.
Garlic Teriyaki Tempeh and Broccoli
Ingredients
- ⅛ cup olive or avocado oil, used as needed
- 1 8 oz package of tempeh, cut into ¼ inch strips
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast flakes
- ½ pound fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-size florets
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- cooked rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice for serving
- chopped scallions and sesame seeds, for garnish
Teriyaki Sauce:
- 1 Tablespoon olive or avocado oil
- ¼ cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce, see note**
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients for the teriyaki sauce in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-low heat, add 1-2 teaspoons of oil. Once hot, add tempeh strips and brown, adding more oil, a little at a time, as necessary to keep the pan from drying out. You’ll want to cook the tempeh for about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Once tempeh is golden brown in color, add teriyaki sauce and nutritional yeast to the pan. Toss to coat the tempeh.
- Add broccoli florets and garlic into the pan. Sauté/simmer mixture for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally. If the pan seems dry, you can add a splash of water, 1 Tablespoon at a time. You can also cover the pan to help the broccoli steam.
- Remove from heat once broccoli is tender-crisp and bright green in color. Serve immediately over ½ cup brown rice with scallions and sesame seeds as a garnish.
Notes
- Salt: This dish can be a little on the salty side if you don’t use low-sodium tamari or soy sauce. If you want to cut back on the sodium, you can replace 2 Tablespoons of the tamari/soy sauce with vegetable stock.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
First time trying tempeh and my husband and I loved it! Served over cauliflower fried “rice”.
Yay! So glad it was a hit for you, Joselyn. Thanks for sharing your review, I appreciate it so much.
I’m new to eating like this and normally very picky but I got to say this is the best even not vegan I’ve ever had. I will never buy another type I will always use this recipe! I’m truly amazed! I’m now going to try tofu with that too.
Woo! I’m so glad you like this recipe, Ashli! I bet it would be delicious with tofu. Thanks for making this recipe and coming back to leave a review, I appreciate it so much!
I don’t think I’ve ever left a recipe rating or review but this was AMAZING!! It will definitely be going in the meal rotation!
Ah yay!! So pumped to hear this recipe was a hit. Thanks so much for the review, Lindsey. I so appreciate it!
I make this recipe whenever I need a quick, easy, yet delicious and healthy dinner. I add julienned carrots for some bright colour and some sweetness, as well as snow peas
Woo!! So glad this recipe has been a hit, Katheryne! Love the addition of carrots and snow peas. Thanks so much for the review!
Such an excellent recipe! Easy to switch up or add veggies and fruit, and I left out the nutritional yeast. Definitely adhere to her advice to use low sodium and I suggest no salt on your rice/quinoa.
I’m so glad this recipe was a success, Kara! Thanks for trying it and coming back to leave a review. It means the world to me!
Delicious! My first tempeh experience 🙂
So glad this recipe was a success, Michele! Thanks for the review 🙂
Made this for the first time tonight and we loved it! We are already tempeh fans but this sauce is really tasty. This recipe is going into regular rotation at our house. Thanks for sharing it!
Woo!! So pumped you loved this recipe, Karen. Thanks for making it and for the review. I so appreciate it!
Truly easy, quick, and delicious – we loved it! The sauce is so flavorful. Thank you for saving our weeknight dinners!
Yay! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Melanie! Thanks for tying it and for the review. I so appreciate it!
This was only my second time making tempeh and I LOVED your recipe! Hubby loved it too. So moist and flavourful! So easy too, no steaming, nice and quick. Thanks for such a delicious and simple recipe, will be making this again and again!
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Jem. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
Love the idea of your recipe. Just one thing that my country couldn’t get nutritional yeast flakes. Can it replace by other ingredients such as miso?
Hey Michele – I wouldn’t recommend it because miso pretty salty and the recipe is already salty from the tamari. There isn’t really a good sub for the nutritional yeast, unfortunately.