This easy vegan hot dog recipe is my vegetarian alternative to real hot-dogs made of seitan that taste incredibly authentic, juicy meaty and better than store bought vegan frankfurters by far! Makes 16 regular wieners or 12 jumbo size. Perfect for potluck or bbq.
Wait until you taste these homemade vegan hot dogs!! Wow!! I was so impressed with how these turned out! The flavour is amazing. Adapted from my vegan ham recipe
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What are vegan hot dogs made of?
These plant based hot dogs are made of tofu and vital wheat gluten which is what is used to make seitan (learn more about seitan in the FAQ section below) The taste and texture is bang on!! I’m so excited to share!!
Honesty you’ll think you’re eating a real hot dog! Your family & kids will request these often I guarantee it!
Best of all these meat free hot dogs are super affordable, healthy and tastier than your local store bought veggie brands: field roast, lightlife, tofurkey, etc.. ( even Ikea!) and of course the classic real meat variety, chicken beef or pork.
This seitan recipe makes a lot to serve a crowd, can be frozen for when you’re craving a hotdog or a quick and easy lunch for the kiddos
Don’t be intimidated this is a super simple recipe most of the ingredients are spices!!
Ingredients needed:
- Tofu: adds soy protein, texture, moisture and flavour
- Vital wheat gluten: essential for this recipe binds evening together
- Bbq sauce: adds wonderful flavour!
- Nutritional yeast: a must for umami
- Liquid smoke: adds subtle smoky taste.
- Sesame oil: makes them juicy and moist
- Spices: to mimic hot dog taste: celery salt, allspice, paprika, garlic and onion powder, coriander, salt
- Tamari: savoury and salty addition
- Mustard and apple cider vinegar: unites the flavours
- Vegetarian bouillon: adds depth of flavour, I used better than bouillon no chicken soup base
How to make vegan hot dogs:
You'll be surprised how easy and delicious this homemade hotdog recipe is!
- To make the seitan dogs: Add tofu and rest of ingredients to food processor. Puree.
- Add the vital wheat gluten mix until just combined
- Shape Into a loaf
- Knead dough 20-25 times. Portion into 12-16 pieces.
- Roll each one in tinfoil, tootsie roll style
- To cook them: Steam for 30 minutes
- Add to large freezer bag with marinade for couple hours or overnight
- Cook in a pan or grill and enjoy in a hotdog bun with your favourite toppings! For full ingredients and instructions see printable recipe card below
Hot dog toppings and sides:
Here's some ideas on what to put on your veggie dog and summer potluck sides to serve with them!
- Sauerkraut and regular or dijon mustard, mmm
- Make it a chili dog! Top with vegan chili, diced red onions and drizzle of cheese sauce, oh yay!
- Classic: hot dog relish, mustard and ketchup!
- Chicago dog: yellow mustard, bright green relish, diced onions, sliced tomatoes, pickles, and pinch of celery salt!
- or just on a plain bun with butter or with ketchup like my grandkids eat them❤️
- Sides: Enjoy with sides like: corn on the cob, watermelon, potato salad ,coleslaw pasta salad, ramen salad, corn salad, fruit salad -so many choices!!
FAQ:
Absolutely they freeze beautifully just wrap individually and store in a freezer bag or sealed container or freeze in the marinade
Yes I’d say they are a healthier choice compared to real meat dogs which are definitely bad for you. But you still need to check back label for ingredients and sodium levels. Homemade vegan dogs are the way to go in my opinion! Like my recipe😊
Yes my homemade hotdog recipe is awesome and super tasty!! and some store bought brands are better than others. I like field roast frankfurters or tofurky dogs
No, this meatless hot dog recipe needs vital wheat gluten to hold together
Almost all grocery stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joes and super stores like Walmart and Costco, carry a variety of vegan hot dog brands like field roast, lightlife smart dogs, tofurky, Upton, etc…
Vital Wheat Gluten is made from wheat. It is made by washing the wheat flour with water until all the starch has been removed. And you are then left with the gluten which must be cooked before eaten.
Seitan is a vegan meat substitute made using vital wheat gluten. It is sometimes referred to as “wheat meat”
Tips for success:
- Don’t over work the seitan dough or the hot dogs could be tough
- make the optional marinade for an awesome flavour boost and for extra moisture
- Keep the tin foil as smooth as possible when rolling as the frankfurters will take on the rolled shape when they cook and expand to fit the wrapper tightly
- Let hot dogs firm up in fridge for at least and hour or two or overnight for best texture (and flavour if using marinade)
- If hot dogs are to wide to fit in steamer cut of a little on each twisted end ( I always do this)
This vegan hot dog recipe is:
- fun and simple to make
- juicy and meaty
- healthy
- super tasty
- kid approved
- a must for potluck or bbq!
More vegan meat recipes:
- Vegan Turkey (Seitan)
- Vegan Steak
- Vegan Meatballs
- Vegan Meatloaf
- Vegan Chicken
- Vegan Ham
- Grillable Vegan Burger
- Vegan Corned Beef
- Vegetarian Salisbury Steak
Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Print
Best Vegan Hot Dogs
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 hot dogs 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy vegan hot dog recipe is my vegetarian alternative to real hot-dogs made of seitan that taste incredibly authentic, juicy meaty and better than store bought vegan frankfurters by far! Makes 16 regular wieners or 12 jumbo size. Perfect for potluck or bbq.
Ingredients
For hot dogs:
- 1 -400 gram package extra firm tofu
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons bbq sauce*
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian better than bouillon no chicken soup base
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons granulated onion (powder)
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic (powder)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ¾ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon allspice
- 1 and ½ cups + 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
- a couple drops red food colouring (optional for colour)
Marinade (optional)
- 1 cup boiling water, from kettle
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons vegetarian better than bouillon no chicken soup base
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ½ teaspoon granulated onion (powder)
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
Instructions
- To make: Drain tofu wrap in layers of paper bowl squeeze out extra moisture with your hands. Break into chunks and add to food processor with rest of ingredients EXCEPT GLUTEN and process until smooth like a puree
- Now add vital wheat gluten evenly over the top and mix until just combined, it's ok if you see a bit of flour on top.
- Turn seitan dough onto counter and knead 20-25 times and form into a loaf. Slice loaf into 4 pieces. Portion each piece into 3-4 sections. Tear off 12-16 pieces of tin foil approximately 6 inches wide. Roll each piece of seitan into a sausage shape roughly the same length as s hot dog bun. Wrap each wiener in the tin foil by rolling up tootsie roll style and twisting the ends.
- To cook: Stack them in a steamer insert of a steamer pot. Trim the twisted ends slightly if needed to fit. Fill the base of the pot with water making sure it doesn't touch the steamer insert. Cover and steam for 30 minutes (I steam on medium heat) While they are cooking mix marinade ingredients in bowl
- When cool enough to handle unwrap them (at this point they are cooked and can be eaten) Add frankfurters to a large zip lock freezer bag with the marinade.
- Squeeze out excess air, seal bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best flavour and texture.
- To serve: Remove from marinade. Pan fry or grill with little oil or microwave them! Enjoy in a hot dog bun with your favourite toppings. Makes 12 jumbo dogs or 16 regular size.
- Will keep covered in fridge with or without marinade for up to 5 days and freeze well also with or without the marinade. For step by step photos, Tips, FAQ, and serving suggestions see above post
Notes
- Don’t over work the seitan dough or the hot dogs could be tough. When kneading the dough it should just start to come together and firm up that's when you stop.
- Keep the tin foil as smooth as possible when rolling as the frankfurters will take on the rolled shape when they cook and expand to fit the wrapper tightly
- Nutritional chart is calculated without the marinade
- can sub ketchup for bbq sauce
Adapted from my vegan ham recipe
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes
- Category: Mains
- Method: Food processor / Steamer pot
- Cuisine: American, Canadian
Tacy says
Yummmy! Thanks for the great tasting, great textured vegan hot dogs. I want to say I used my salad spinner to get the water out of tofu. Made chunks and it worked great.
Nikki says
Verna,
These are the best dang hot dogs I have ever made! I have been meatless for more than 25 years, and nothing compares to this recipe...I mean nothing! They are flavorful and meaty without excess chew, and all the ingredients are in my kitchen. I have made these several times (several might be an understatement), and never get tired of them! One question, I have recently been counting macros, and I do not see a nutrition section. It's probably right in front of my face, but I am failing to find one. Please let me know the nutrition or where to find it. Thank you for this recipe by the way!
DeeDee says
I just made them and they are marinating right now. Just watched the YouTube video again and noticed that in the video you added mustard to the marinade but it isn't in the written recipe. How much did you use?
Can't wait to try them. They smelled amazing after steaming!
Katie Hale says
Start with 1 teaspoon and if you like a bit more kick, add more.
Michelle says
I love this recipe but MUST be GF, SO.... I'm going to try it w a mixture of Oat Flour, Potato Starch & Psyllium Husk & see what kind of results I get. I'll let ya know...
Verna says
ok keep me posted! 🙂
Kim says
Wondering if anyone made these gluten free was going to try zanathan gum
Rita says
Thank you for this great recipe! So good!
Verna says
You're so welcome I am thrilled you enjoyed it!