This kimchi fried rice is super hearty, spicy, umami-filled, high in vegan protein, and simple to prepare. It relies on cold leftover rice for the right texture, so that is one aspect you’ll have to plan out. I use brown rice because that’s the only rice I have on hand lately. Any rice is fine though! A lot of store bought kimchi has fish-based components. If you are 100% plant-based, check labels or make your own if you have the time. I like Wildbrine’s vegan kimchi if you’re considering buying one.
Fried rice is thought to have originated in Yangzhou, an eastern city in China, and gained prominence during the Sui Dynasty. The dish is a technique that utilizes leftovers and spare bits that one may have hanging around. There are also interpretations of this dish across cultural cooking traditions. I love this essay about fried rice by Kenny Ng for Whetstone.
This style of recipe is typically served with eggs in the mix, but since I’m allergic (and have also been totally plant-based for over ten years), I go with seared tempeh as the big time protein component. It gets a light steam before a trip in the sauté pan with garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and maple syrup. Just going for that meaty/fake bacon-y vibe.
I find this dish comforting in a lot of ways. It rests on my favourite food group: leftover carbs. It’s a total flavour bomb that features a lot of pantry ingredients as well as fresh foods that I typically keep on hand all the time (broccoli, green onions, tempeh). It’s also a version of rice and veggies that’s ready in less than 30 minutes. Sometimes the thing that you can make the fastest is truly the best thing.
Vegan Kimchi Fried Rice with Smoky Tempeh & Broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 8-oz block tempeh, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- sea salt, to taste
- ⅓ – ½ cup vegan kimchi, drained (reserve the juice) and chopped
- 1 ½ cups cooked brown rice
- 2 teaspoons chili paste, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free tamari soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Notes
- Kimchi varies in saltiness, so feel free to add more tamari at the end of the cooking process if the flavour doesn’t seem as well-rounded as it should.
- If you avoid soy, you can use coconut aminos for the tamari. As for the tempeh, fingers crossed you can find hemp or grain-based options near you. Smiling Hara Hempeh is a good one.
- I simply top mine with green onions, but you could add sprouts/microgreens or chopped cilantro.
- Leftover rice from the night before or longer is key here. That’s how you get the browning on the rice.
Instructions
- Get yourself a large pot with a tight-fitting lid and a steamer basket that will fit inside. Pour two inches of water into the pot, secure the lid, and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Arrange the tempeh and broccoli in the steamer basket, with each ingredient taking up its own respective half of the basket. Drop the steamer basket into the pot, secure the lid, and steam for 10 minutes. Once the time is up, carefully remove steamer basket from the pot and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the avocado oil to the skillet. Add the steamed tempeh pieces to the skillet and stir with a spatula. Keep sauteing and stirring the tempeh until golden brown edges start to appear, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to the skillet and stir until fragrant, about 10-20 seconds. Don’t let the garlic burn.
- Scrape the tempeh out of the skillet into a small bowl and cover with a towel.
- Wipe out the skillet if necessary and return it to the heat with the remaining avocado oil. Add the chopped kimchi to the skillet and saute until kimchi is slightly browned, dried out, and fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the rice to the skillet and stir, breaking up the clumps with your spatula.
- In a small bowl, whisk together a tablespoon of the reserved kimchi juice with the chili paste, tamari, and sesame oil. Add this mixture to the skillet and stir. Raise the heat to high. Keep stirring until the rice stops sticking together and is slightly browned. Add the steamed broccoli and smoky tempeh to the skillet and stir. Check the seasoning. To serve, divide the fried rice between two bowls and top with green onions.
Made this last night with cauliflower and green pepper (because I didn’t have any broccoli). It was great. Thank you.
Delicious!
I finally had all the ingredients for this after having it bookmarked for ages and “flavor bomb” is absolutely right. The way the rice and broccoli soak up all the goodness of the sauce and kimchi… it’s addictive. I’m not vegan so I scrambled an egg into the mix for extra bulk and protein and is so gooooood. <3 So happy to have this in my rotation!
So good! Never thought to put kimchi in fried rice! Thanks for an indulgent, healthy recipe! I did add more sesame oil and tamari at the end.
Hi Laura. Thanks for the awesome recipe! I was wondering what brand of chili paste you use? Have you found a good one in Canada without additives/preservatives? Thanks!
I just use the classic chili garlic sauce, additives and all. Omnivore’s Cookbook has a great recipe to DIY if you’re up for it: https://omnivorescookbook.com/recipes/sichuan-all-purpose-chili-garlic-sauce/
-L
Thanks!! I will definitely try this when I can get my hands on red jalapenos!
I think I’ve made this recipes upwards of 5 times now. It’s an easy weeknight meal and the leftovers are great the next day for lunch. Very tasty!
Late to the game, I know but just made this tonight. Didn’t have broccoli so made with smoked tofu, sugar snaps and cavalo nero, delicious! :) more kimchi recipes, please!
Oh. My. Goodness! I made this last night for tea and it got rave reviews. Healthy, delicious and quick to prepare. This recipe is amazing. You’re a genius! Thank you! :)
I love kimchi fried rice, and this is the best I’ve ever had. The tempeh is insane! Thanks so much for sharing :)
So happy that you enjoyed it! Thanks Emily :D
-L
Love these recipes of yours, that are quick to put together and so delicious, you are so creative! You’re my fav food blogger out there, keep doing what you’re doing and happy holidays Laura!
This is EXACTLY the kind of meal I’m looking for right now. Satisfying, delicious, healthy and hearty.
I was just wondering what to do with the broccoli in my fridge! This recipe sound delicious!