Peanut Lemongrass Tempeh Satay

Name: Peanut Lemongrass Tempeh Satay
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: Marinade/dipping sauce base: 2 tbsp salted peanut butter; 6 tbsp coconut aminos (or 3 tbsp tamari + 3 tbsp water); 3 tbsp lime juice; 2 tbsp maple syrup; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 2 tsp chili garlic sauce; 2 tsp fresh turmeric, grated (or ½ tsp ground); 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 stalk lemongrass (inner core only, minced very fine); pinch sea salt 8 oz fresh tempeh, cut into rectangles (1” × 2½” × ¾”); bamboo skewers soaked 30 min

June 19, 2026

Peanut Lemongrass Tempeh Satay is a soy-free Indonesian tempeh dish made with fresh, fermented chickpea tempeh instead of soy. A few simple swaps keep it gluten-free, too.

4 servings · About 30 min · Soy-free · Gluten-free option

Why fermented chickpea tempeh

Because our tempeh is cultured from chickpeas rather than soybeans, it brings a mild, savory, nutty base that carries bold flavors well and keeps the whole dish soy-free.

Ingredients

Marinade/dipping sauce base: 2 tbsp salted peanut butter
6 tbsp coconut aminos (or 3 tbsp tamari + 3 tbsp water)
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tsp chili garlic sauce
2 tsp fresh turmeric, grated (or ½ tsp ground)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 stalk lemongrass (inner core only, minced very fine)
pinch sea salt 8 oz fresh tempeh, cut into rectangles (1” × 2½” × ¾”)
bamboo skewers soaked 30 min

Instructions

Marinade. Blend or whisk all smooth. Divide in half, one half for dipping sauce (add 1 extra tbsp peanut butter + 2 to 3 tbsp water to thin), one half for marinating.
Skewer. Thread 2 tempeh pieces per skewer.
Marinate. 20 to 25 min only, lime juice will start breaking down fresh tempeh’s mycelium past 30 min.
Grill. Grill pan or outdoor grill, medium-high. 3 min per side. Brush with reserved marinade in last minute.
4b. Bake option: 400°F, 22 to 25 min, flip halfway.
Serve with dipping sauce, cucumber rounds, and cilantro.

Chef note: A fragrant tropical grass. Buy fresh. Peel off tough outer layers to reach the softer inner core. Mince very finely, it’s fibrous.

Make it with

This pairs with Tempeh Jerky Variety 3-Pack. Start from a block of OG Raw Chickpea Tempeh (shop it here). Short on time? Reach for our heat-and-serve Quick Tempeh Stir-Fry.

Allergen swaps

Peanut butter → pumpkin seed butter (peanut-free); sesame oil → toasted pumpkin seed oil (sesame-free); coconut aminos already soy-free. ✓ Chaotic Good Tempeh is chickpea-based.

Frequently asked questions

Is Peanut Lemongrass Tempeh Satay soy-free?

Yes. Our tempeh is fermented from chickpeas, not soybeans, so this recipe is naturally soy-free. Check any packaged sauces or condiments if soy is a strict concern.

How do I make it gluten-free?

The tempeh itself is gluten-free. Use gluten-free bread, tamari, or noodles wherever the recipe calls for the standard version, and confirm any packaged sauces are gluten-free.