This easy vegan beef seitan is so meaty and flavorful! Enjoy it as a vegan beef roast with potatoes, gravy and veggies, or slice it thin like deli meat for sandwiches.
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I’ve been working on this seitan recipe for quite a while. I’ve made a few sausage recipes and a ham recipe, but I wanted an all purpose seitan recipe that I could use in several ways.
This vegan seitan beef is so easy to make, and tastes amazing. It slices up beautifully for sandwiches, and is way cheaper than any of the packaged vegan lunch meats in the stores.
There is a sandwich shop in our town that used to make the best vegan sandwiches. We loved going there with family, because they had meat options, vegan options, and gluten free options – something for every family member.
They recently changed the vegan meat substitute on their menu, and we weren’t as happy with the sandwiches.
The first sandwich I made with this vegan seitan recipe rivaled that sandwich I used to love. It’s absolutely delicious!
And even better, my sandwich was oil free and way more affordable.
This recipe makes a large amount, so you can use it in several recipes throughout the week, or freeze some for future meals.
What is seitan?
Seitan is a vegan meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten, the main protein in meat.
On its own, it’s fairly mildly flavored, but when combined with the right ingredients it mimics the flavor and texture of meat.
Since it is made from gluten, it isn’t an appropriate food for people with gluten sensitivities, but it’s a wonderful vegan protein option for people who are allergic to soy.
Why do vegans and vegetarians eat meat substitutes?
Many vegans did not make this lifestyle choice because they did not like meat. There are various reasons for choosing a plant based diet, including concern for their health, a desire to help the environment, and compassion and concern for animal welfare.
Vegan meat substitutes can be good transition food for people who want to go vegan, but aren’t ready to stop eating meat. It’s nice to still be able to enjoy the textures and flavors of some of those animal based foods in a cruelty free way.
Ingredients for vegan beef
- Vital Wheat Gluten – this is the main ingredient and cannot be substituted in this recipe.
- Black Beans – improve the texture of the seitan, making it more tender. They also give an earthy taste, and contribute to the dark color of the seitan.
- Edward & Sons Not Beef Bouillon – for beef flavor. Other vegetable bouillon or broth can be substituted, but the flavor will be different.
- Water
- Soy sauce – for umami and salty flavor. You can use tamari or coconut aminos if you prefer.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – helps reduce the gluten flavor of the seitan.
- Vegan Worcestershire Sauce – for savory flavor. Many Worcestershire sauces contain anchovies. Wizards brand and Kroger brand are two that are vegan. Be sure to check the labels.
- Ketchup – for flavor, color, and a touch of sweetness.
- Seasonings – nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary
How to make vegan beef
Making vegan beef seitan is a very simple process.
Place the vital wheat gluten in a medium sized bowl.
Blend all the remaining ingredients together in a blender or food processor.
Pour the wet ingredients into the vital wheat gluten and stir together with a rubber spatula.
Knead the seitan dough for 3 – 5 minutes. The kneading activates the gluten and the seitan dough will become somewhat elastic. Then let it rest for about 10 minutes.
Form the dough into a slightly flattened log. Wrap it in a layer of parchment paper and then foil, twisting the ends tootsie roll style. If using heavy duty foil, use two layers of foil. If using regular foil, use 4 layers. Seitan expands as it cooks, and you don’t want it to split open while cooking.
This seitan can be cooked in a steamer on the stove or in an Instant Pot.
To cook in a steamer:
Prepare a large pot with a steamer basket. The water level in the pot should be just below the bottom of the steaming basket. Bring the water to a boil. Place the seitan in the steamer basket and steam it at a medium temperature for an hour and 15 minutes, turning it over after 40 minutes.
Monitor the water in the pot to make sure that the pot doesn’t boil dry. You may want to add a bit more hot water to the pot when you turn over the seitan.
When the time is up, remove the seitan from the steamer.
For best texture and flavor, refrigerate the seitan overnight before unwrapping and slicing.
To cook in the Instant Pot:
Place a steaming rack in the Instant Pot and add a cup of water.
Set the wrapped seitan dough on top of the rack.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to Sealing. Pressure cook on high for 1 hour. Release the pressure 10 minutes after the hour of cooking is up.
Remove the seitan from the Instant Pot.
For best texture and flavor, refrigerate the seitan overnight before unwrapping and slicing.
Serving suggestions
- Make a roast dinner with some slices of beef, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, sauteed greens, and your other favorite sides.
- Slice it up for roast beef sandwiches.
- Make Vegan Philly Cheesteak sandwiches
- Slice it thinly and serve it in a sandwich roll with a cup of broth for vegan French dip sandwiches.
- Add some slices to your stir fries.
Frequently asked questions
Vital Wheat Gluten can be purchased in the flour section of many grocery stores as well as in bulk bins. It’s also available at Bob’s Red Mill and on Amazon.
Seitan freezes very well. I prefer to slice this beef seitan before freezing and place a piece of parchment paper between sections of slices so I can remove as many as I need for a meal.
The main ingredient in seitan is vital wheat gluten. It cannot be substituted in this recipe. Therefore, this recipe is not suitable for those on a gluten-free diet.
Here are more oil-free vegan meat substitutes:
- Vegan Glazed Ham
- Vegan Pepperoni
- Soy Curl Bacon Bits
- Vegan Andouille Sausage
- Vegan Italian Sausage
- Vegan Breakfast Sausage Links
- Lentil Walnut Taco Meat
- Chickpea Burgers
- Black Bean Burgers
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Beef Seitan
Ingredients
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup water
- 1 cube Edward & Sons Not Beef Bouillon
- ¼ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
Instructions
- Place the vital wheat gluten in a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Blend all the remaining ingredients in a blender until completely blended.
- Pour the contents of the blender into the bowl of gluten. Stir with a rubber spatula until combined.
- Knead for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Allow the dough to sit for 10 minutes.
- Form the dough into a slightly flattened loaf. Wrap in a single layer of parchment paper and a double layer of aluminum foil.
To cook in a stove top steamer
- Prepare a large steamer by filling the pot beneath the steaming insert to just below the level of the insert. Bring the water to a boil.
- Add the wrapped seitan to the steamer insert and steam on medium heat for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Turn the seitan over after the first 40 minutes to help it cook evenly. Check the water level frequently and have hot water on hand to add to the pot to keep it from boiling dry.
- Allow the seitan to cool at room temperature for an hour and then place in the refrigerator overnight. The texture and taste of the seitan is best after refrigerating overnight.
To cook in the Instant Pot
- Place a steaming rack in the Instant Pot and add one cup of water.
- Set the wrapped seitan dough on top of the rack.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to Sealing. Pressure cook on high for 1 hour. Release the pressure after 10 minutes.
- Allow the seitan to cool at room temperature for an hour and then place in the refrigerator overnight. The texture and taste of the seitan is best after refrigerating overnight.
