Tofu and Tempeh Satay with Spicy Sambal Peanut Sauce
This tofu and tempeh satay captures authentic Indonesian flavour with a tamarind-sweet soy marinade and spicy sambal peanut sauce. Grilled until crisp-edged and smoky, it’s both hearty and light. Perfect for plant-based meals or mixed satay platters, it delivers bold, nutty, and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
- 200 g firm tofu cut into 3 cm cubes
- 200 g tempeh sliced into 1 cm thick pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 shallots finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tbsp tamarind juice
- 1 tbsp kecap manis
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ tsp salt
For sambal peanut sauce
- 100 g roasted peanuts ground
- 1 tbsp sambal oelek or chili paste
- 1 tsp palm sugar
- 150 ml coconut milk
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 50 ml water
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine garlic, shallots, coriander, turmeric, kecap manis, tamarind juice, oil, and salt in a bowl. Mix well, then add tofu and tempeh, tossing gently until coated. Leave to marinate for at least an hour.
- Thread tofu and tempeh alternately onto skewers. Preheat the grill to medium heat and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and lightly charred.
- For the sauce, place ground peanuts, sambal, palm sugar, coconut milk, lime juice, and water into a saucepan. Simmer gently for five minutes, stirring often until smooth and thick. Adjust salt and lime to taste.
- Serve the skewers hot with generous spoonfuls of sauce poured over them.
Notes
Firm tofu grills better than soft varieties, holding its shape and absorbing the marinade evenly. Tempeh provides more chew and an earthy flavour that complements the sweetness of kecap manis.
Palm sugar adds a mellow caramel tone to the sauce, while sambal oelek gives a slow-building heat. You can adjust the spice level depending on preference, but a bit of chili keeps it lively.
Nutrition
Calories: 4202kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gSodium: 470mgPotassium: 590mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 160IUCalcium: 55mgIron: 3.1mg
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