--- title: "Meatless Friday: Tempeh Fried Rice" description: Lisa Hendey encourages personalizing her simple fried-rice recipe with whatever ingredients you have on hand. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%202.jpg ---                                           [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/meatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice#) [MEATLESS FRIDAY](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/meatless-friday) # Meatless Friday: Tempeh Fried Rice Sep 30, 2022 7:00:00 AM  |  by [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%202.jpg) *Lisa Hendey encourages personalizing her simple fried-rice recipe with whatever ingredients you have on hand.* --- As a vegetarian empty-nester married to a man who enjoys eating meat, I’m always on the lookout for ways to cook dinners that the two of us can enjoy together. This often involves cooking meat on the side and adding it into whatever main dish I’ve created before I serve it.  I recently discovered [tempeh](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tempeh-3376821), a soy cake-like substance that serves as a great alternative to tofu. Having an alternative is great for folks who don’t enjoy tofu’s texture. Even when cooked by steaming, tempeh has a chewy texture that holds up well. For those who avoid soy, note that this isn’t a great option for you. Sorry!  As a lazy cook, I often look for simple ways to start a recipe and then “make it my own.” This often means throwing in whatever I have on hand, as I did the day I made this recipe. I’d purchased the tempeh a few weeks in advance of cooking it, but let it linger in my uncertainty on how to prepare it properly. I also look to avoid creating dirty pots and pans, so I cook recipes like this in my electric skillet which also has a nice vented glass cover. In the end, this meal turned out to be a tasty treat. We’ll definitely enjoy it (or a version of it based on what’s in the fridge!) again soon.  ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%203.jpg?width=4032&name=20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%203.jpg) #### Tempeh Fried Rice Makes 4 servings  ##### Ingredients  1 bag prepared vegetable fried rice 8 ounces tempeh, sliced 1 red onion 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons soy sauce Fresh or frozen vegetables as desired   ##### DIRECTIONS  Slice tempeh into ½ inch planks. Begin sauteing over medium heat.  Add onions and minced garlic. Sauté while adding soy sauce slowly to taste.  Add frozen or fresh vegetables as desired.  Add frozen fried rice. Season as desired and cook according to package instructions.   > [Click to tweet: > Make it your own this #MeatlessFriday! Lisa Hendey shares a fried-rice recipe you can change to fit your tastes. #catholicmom](https://ctt.ac/Fa86a) [![Download printable recipe card](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/fa4caa01-7a15-47bf-8a5a-f17d4834c06a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/fa4caa01-7a15-47bf-8a5a-f17d4834c06a) [![See our full list of Meatless Friday recipes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/78e80fc5-0f87-4e45-9328-c9be5b685c01)   ![null](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%201.jpg?width=1080&name=20220930%20LHendey%20tempeh%201.jpg) --- Copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey Images: copyright 2022 Lisa M. Hendey, all rights reserved. ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Meatless%20Friday%3A%20Tempeh%20Fried%20Rice) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2Fmeatless-friday-tempeh-fried-rice%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Lisa%20M%20Hendey%202024.png) ### [Lisa M. Hendey](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/lisa-m-hendey) Lisa M. Hendey is the founder of CatholicMom.com, a bestselling author and an international speaker. A frequent radio and television guest, Hendey travels internationally giving workshops on faith, family, and communications. Visit Lisa at [LisaHendey.com](http://lisahendey.com), on her Substack at [LisaHendey.Substack.com](http://lisahendey.substack.com/), or on social media @LisaHendey for information on her speaking schedule or to invite her to visit your group, parish, school or organization. [Find Lisa’s books on her Amazon author page](https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-M-Hendey/e/B002ZM9FH0). [**](http://facebook.com/lisamhendey) [**](http://twitter.com/lisahendey) ## Related Blog Articles [ 'Yes Day': A Family-Friendly Film Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/yes-day-a-family-friendly-film) [ Meatless Friday: Summer Gnocchi Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/07/18/meatless-friday-summer-gnocchi) [ Meatless Friday: Fourth-Worthy Corn and Tortellini Salad Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/07/17/meatless-friday-fourth-worthy-corn-and-tortellini-salad) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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