There are several plant-based meats available in the market but if you want to make one at home, seitan is the one to try. It is a fantastic source of plant-based protein and unlike tofu or tempeh, seitan has a texture similar to meat, making it an excellent meat substitute in a variety of dishes. This blog will guide you through making homemade seitan and suggest three tasty ways to incorporate it into your meals.

Basic Seitan Recipe

Ingredients: 

– 1 ½ cups vital wheat gluten

– ¼ cup nutritional yeast

– 1 tsp garlic powder

– 1 tsp onion powder

– 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

– ¾ cup vegetable broth

– 2 tbsp soy sauce

– 1 tbsp olive oil

For Simmering Broth: 

– 4 cups vegetable broth

– 2 tbsp soy sauce

– 1 tsp dried herbs (e.g., thyme or rosemary)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the vegetable broth, soy sauce, and olive oil.

3. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture while stirring. Once it comes together, knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes. The dough will become elastic and firm.

4. Shape the dough into a log or small chunks, depending on how you plan to use it.

5. In a pot, bring the vegetable broth and soy sauce to a simmer. Gently add the seitan and let it simmer for about 45-60 minutes. Avoid boiling, as it can make the seitan rubbery. 

6. Once cooked, drain the seitan and allow it to cool. You can store it in the fridge for up to a week or freeze it for later use.

Now that you’ve made your seitan, here are three easy and delicious ways to use it.

1. Seitan Stir-Fry

One of the easiest ways to use seitan is in a stir-fry. Slice the cooked seitan into thin strips and toss it into a hot pan with your favorite veggies. Bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and mushrooms are great options. Stir-fry everything with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a splash of sesame oil for a savory, high-protein meal. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete dish.

2. BBQ Seitan Sandwich

Seitan’s hearty texture makes it the perfect meat substitute for a BBQ sandwich. Shred the seitan, then coat it in your favorite barbecue sauce. Sauté or bake until the sauce caramelizes, and serve the BBQ seitan on a toasted bun with coleslaw, pickles, and a bit of vegan mayo. This sandwich packs all the smoky, tangy flavors of a classic BBQ pulled pork sandwich, but it’s 100% plant-based.

3. Seitan Fajitas

For a quick and flavorful meal, try seitan fajitas. Slice the seitan into strips and marinate it with lime juice, cumin, chili powder, and garlic. Sauté the seitan with onions and bell peppers until everything is tender and slightly charred. Serve the seitan fajitas with warm tortillas, guacamole, salsa, and fresh cilantro for a crowd-pleasing meal that’s full of bold flavors.

Seitan is a versatile, protein-packed ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes. Whether you’re making tikkas, stir-fries or sandwiches, seitan’s chewy, meat-like texture can easily satisfy your cravings for hearty meals.