Is Rendang Vegetarian? (Beef Slow-Cooked in Coconut)

Rendang is beef simmered for hours in coconut milk and spices, which makes it rich and unmistakably meaty. The plant-based version swaps the beef for jackfruit or tofu. Here is how to tell them apart.

Key Takeaways

• Rendang is usually not vegetarian: the classic is beef (or chicken) slow-cooked in coconut and spices.
• The spice paste and coconut milk are plant-based; the meat is the non-veg part.
• Jackfruit, tofu, tempeh and potato rendang are the common plant-based versions.
• Check jarred or packet rendang for shrimp paste or fish sauce.

TL;DR: Rendang is usually not vegetarian: the classic is beef (or chicken) slow-cooked in coconut milk and spices. Vegetable rendang made with jackfruit, tofu or potato is a common plant-based version.

What rendang is

Rendang is an Indonesian/Malaysian dish of meat simmered for hours in coconut milk and a spice paste (chili, galangal, lemongrass, garlic, shallot, turmeric). The classic protein is beef; chicken rendang is also common.

The spice paste and coconut milk are plant-based: the meat is the non-veg part. A few rendang recipes include shrimp paste or fish sauce, but that’s less common than in other Southeast Asian dishes.

The vegetarian version

• Jackfruit rendang: the most popular vegan swap (young green jackfruit mimics shredded meat).
• Tofu or tempeh rendang.
• Potato rendang.

Check the label for shrimp paste or fish sauce if you’re ordering from a jar or packet.

The bottom line

• Vegetarian? No for beef/chicken rendang: order jackfruit, tofu or potato rendang.
• Vegan? Same, and confirm no fish/shrimp paste.

See our Rendang dish guide for the full breakdown.

Check before you eat. The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more). Download on the App Store - Android is coming soon.

Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.

Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.