How to Make Seitan

No fancy tools are required! It’s delicious, easy to make and just a few key ingredients.

What is Seitan?

It’s pretty common to hear the word “seitan” nowadays due to the high demand of more and more people turning to a plant-based diet. Seitan is a meat alternative which high in protein for your plant-based cooking. You definitely can get pre-made seitan in the local grocery stores, but it could be pretty pricey. If you prefer to cut down on your living expenses, making your own seitan is pretty simple.

Ways to Serve Seitan

Slabs: Cut into slabs for seitan burgers or steaks.

Slices: Slices are great wherever you use meat slices such as tacos, burritos or fajitas.

Cubes: Cubes are great for salad but also excellent to make Buddha bowls as “chicken nuggets”.

Crumbles: Crumbles can be easily paired with plenty of dishes and are definitely perfect for salad, tacos, chilli, stew or soup.

Whole: Whole “loafs” of seitan make great roasted “meats”.

Vital wheat gluten: Also known as “wheat protein” and “wheat gluten”. Vital wheat gluten is the main ingredient in seitan, which is a much-loved meat substitute for plant-based eaters. It is high in protein, an excellent source of minerals, low in carbs and fat, and easy to cook with. You can find vital wheat gluten in the baking section at most grocery stores or at health stores.

Nutritional yeast: Also known as “nooch”, is a species of yeast known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It is sold as thin flakes, granules, or powder. You can find it in the spice section at most grocery stores or health food stores. It has a pale-yellow colour and may come packaged in a bag, shaker, or plastic container. This ingredient fits nearly any diet or eating style. It’s naturally low in sodium and calories, and it’s fat-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan. Nutritional yeast is a great source of plant-based protein, B vitamins, and trace minerals.

Ingredients:

Dough

• 1 cup vital wheat gluten
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup wholemeal flour
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika powder

Broth

• 5 cups vegetable broth, or use vegetable stock cubes
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the ingredients for the dough and form a ball.
2. Transfer to a clean surface and knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is elastic. It can be lumpy, that’s okay.
3. Form into a log shape. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes while preparing the broth.
4. Add all ingredients for broth into a large pot and bring to a simmer. Gently put the seitan dough into the broth (the broth must fully cover the dough). Cover and simmer for an hour.
5. Remove from the pot and let it cool down. Slice into any shape you want.
6. To store: Keep the seitan in a sealed storage container and store in the fridge for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 6 months.