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    Home » Mains

    Vegan Lentil Salisbury Steak

    Updated: Jun 10, 2023 by Katie Hale · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

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    If you're looking for a delicious vegan meal, give our vegan lentil Salisbury steak a try! This hearty dish is packed with flavor and protein, making it a great option for those following a plant-based diet.

    A classic meal with rich mushroom gravy has been loved by generations. Now you can serve an equally tasty option to your family while staying plant-based.

    If you like this dish, then you will surely love our vegan mushroom stroganoff!

    lentil patties in skillet with mushroom gravy and fresh herbs

    Ingredients

    This recipe includes both a Salisbury steak recipe as well as a separte mushroom gravy recipe. These are separated below for your convenience. You can find the quantities needed in the recipe card below.

    Lentil Salisbury Steak

    • Vital wheat gluten
    • Breadcrumbs
    • Lentils
    • Broth
    • Soy sauce
    • Liquid smoke
    • Olive oil
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    bowls of ingredients on white table

    Mushroom Gravy sauce

    • Mushrooms
    • Broth
    • Olive oil
    • Garlic
    • Vegan butter
    • Flour
    • Sage
    • Thyme
    • Salt
    • Black pepper
    ingredients in bowls on white table

    Instructions

    Start by preheating the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, cook the lentils if not already cooked. Drain the lentils and mash, them or pulse them in a food processor.

    white bowl of lentils being mashed
    mashed lentils being poured into glass bowl

    To the mashed lentils, add the wheat gluten, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, liquid smoke, salt, and black pepper. Mix until combined, then add in the broth slowly, until you have a wet mixture that can form a patty easily.

    flour being poured into lentils
    seasoning being added to bowl of lentils

    Form the "steaks" and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with olive oil if desired.

    hand forming lentil patty
    lentil salisbury steak on baking sheet before baking

    Then, bake for 20 minutes until they are golden brown. They can also be cooked in a skillet over medium heat if you prefer.

    baking sheet of lentil patties
    lentil patties being placed into skillet

    While the steaks cook, prepare the mushroom gravy. In a skillet, add olive oil over medium heat. Then add in the mushrooms and garlic and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until softened and browned. Season lightly with salt and black pepper, then remove from the skillet and set them aside.

    mushrooms in skillet on hot plate
    browned mushrooms in skillet

    In the same pan, add the butter. Whisk in the flour and stir until combined, then add the broth and continue mixing. Add in the seasonings and mushrooms and cook until the gravy is your preferred consistency.

    mushrooms being poured into skillet of gravy
    mushroom gravy being seasoned

    Serve the steaks with a spoon of gravy on top.

    white table with skillet of lentil Salisbury steak in mushroom gravy next to placemat and pink spoon

    Substitutions

    If you have a different dietary need, or perhaps just don't have everything on hand that the recipe lists, below are some substitutions to give you a delicious result.

    • If you don't have liquid smoke, use a pinch of smoked paprika or chipotle pepper powder.
    • Use canned or dry lentils interchangeably. Just make sure the lentils are cooked through and drained.
    • Add fresh herbs instead of dried herbs when possible. Remember 1 tablespoon of fresh is equal to 1 teaspoon of dried herbs.
    • Use red, green, white, or orange lentils for variety.

    Variations

    If you want to make this just a bit different, try some of the ideas below to give your lentil Salisbury steaks a unique twist.

    • Add shredded carrots, zucchini, or onions to the lentil mixture for more depth of flavor and nutrients.
    • Use the air fryer to cook the lentil patties to save calories while keeping them nice and crispy.
    • Make this gluten-free by substituting the vital wheat gluten with chickpea flour or oat flour. You can substitute the breadcrumbs with any preferred gluten-free breadcrumbs.
    • Make it into meatball shapes instead of patties to create a mushroom meatball dish instead.
    bowl of lentil salisbury steak topped with herbs and tomatoes

    Equipment

    You only need a few items to prepare this recipe, but below are my recommendations if you don't already have them on hand. Equip your kitchen with quality to last!

    • Mixing bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • Food processor (optional)
    • Skillet
    • Baking sheet

    Storage

    This vegan Salisbury steak is good in the refrigerator for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. I recommend storing the patties and the gravy separately so the patties don't fall apart.

    If you have more than you can finish in that time, you can also freeze the patties for up to 3 months. The gravy can also be frozen for 2 to 3 months, but it will change the texture slightly, so I prefer making it fresh.

    cast iron skillet of vegan lentil Salisbury steak

    Top Tip

    For a better experience, make sure to add the vegetable broth slowly and adjust as needed to get the right consistency. And if you choose to fry the steaks, be careful not to overcrowd the pan as this can make them soggy.

    FAQ

    How do I make vegan lentil Salisbury steak more flavorful?

    To make vegan lentil Salisbury steak more flavorful, you can add additional herbs and spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried basil. You can also add a splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar.

    How do I make vegan lentil Salisbury steak more filling?

    To make vegan lentil Salisbury steak more filling, you can add in additional cooked beans or tofu for protein. This can also be made with cooked quinoa or brown rice for bulking.

    lentil patties in mushroom gravy with fresh herb topping

    Related

    Like this recipe and want more vegan meat substitutes? Check out the recipes below! Bookmark them, print them out, or pin them to Pinterest!

    vegan roast beef partially sliced on a cutting board
    Vegan Roast Beef
    vegan chicken breasts cooked and partially sliced in a frying pan
    Vegan Chicken Seitan
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    Vegan Steak

    Pairing

    This recipe is perfect to pair with one of these recipes to create a full meal. Pick one or all for your next meal.

    roasted vegetables in a baking dish
    Roasted Vegetables
    vegan mashed potatoes in a white bowl
    Mashed Potatoes
    vegan dinner rolls on a plate ready to serve
    Dinner Rolls

    Vegan Lentil Salisbury Steak

    Katie Hale
    Indulge in a satisfying and flavorful meat-free dish with our vegan lentil Salisbury steak recipe, which packs a protein punch and essential nutrients into every bite.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 464 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Lentil Salisbury Steak

    • 1 cup vital wheat gluten
    • 1 cup bread crumbs
    • 2 cups lentils cooked previously
    • ½ cup vegetable broth
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • Pinch of salt
    • Black pepper to taste

    Mushroom Gravy Sauce

    • 10 mushrooms
    • 2 cup vegetable broth
    • 2 teaspoon olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic
    • 3 tablespoon vegan butter
    • 3 tablespoon all purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon dry sage
    • ½ teaspoon thyme
    • Salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • First, preheat your oven to 425°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. If the lentils are not already cooked, cook them now. Once they are cooked, drain them and mash them up or pulse them in a food processor.
      white bowl of lentils being mashed
    • Next, combine the mashed lentils with the wheat gluten, breadcrumbs, soy sauce, liquid smoke, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together well, then slowly add in the broth until the mixture is wet enough to form a patty easily.
      lentil salisbury steak on baking sheet before baking
    • Take the mixture and form it into "steaks," then place them on the prepared baking sheet. If you prefer, you can brush the tops with olive oil. Bake them for 20 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Alternatively, you can also cook them in a skillet over medium heat.
      pink tongs moving lentil patties out of skillet
    • While the steaks are cooking, prepare the mushroom gravy. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the mushrooms and garlic and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until they are softened and browned. Lightly season with salt and black pepper before removing them from the skillet and setting them aside.
      browned mushrooms in skillet
    • Using the same pan, melt the butter and then whisk in the flour until it is well combined. Slowly add in the broth while continuously stirring. Mix in the seasonings and mushrooms, and then continue cooking until the gravy reaches your preferred consistency.
      mushroom gravy being seasoned
    • Finally, serve the "steaks" with a spoonful of the mushroom gravy on top.
      lentil patties being stirred into mushroom gravy with spoon

    Video

    Notes

    1. Save time and money by cooking dry lentils in bulk and dividing into 1 cup portions.  Freeze for up to 4 months to use when needed.
    2. Store the patties and gravy separately so the patties keep their texture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 464kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 36gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 1126mgPotassium: 806mgFiber: 21gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 509IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 7mg
    Keyword lentil salisbury steak, vegan lentil salisbury steak, vegan salisbury steak
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Food Safety

    Always maintain sanitary conditions when preparing food for yourself or your family. Below are some tips we always keep in mind when working in the kitchen. Take note of these before you begin cooking.

    • Always sanitize countertops, cutting boards, utensils, and cookware thoroughly between each use.
    • Wash your hands in warm soapy water, rubbing for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. Remember, "FROG" means friction rubs off germs.
    • After serving food, allow it to cool, then place it into the refrigerator or proper storage immediately. Food should be at room temperature for no more than 2 hours for safety.

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    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Autumn SinClaire says

      June 12, 2023 at 10:24 am

      What I did was to not cook any gravy because I am not into gravies much. I added a LOT of garlic and minced onion; plus mashed up a can of chickpeas and used the can juice in place of broth. I made them into meatballs and some into burgers. Fried them in combo of olive and peanut oil till browned. These were so delicious I will never have to buy my MorningStar Farm burgers again as they are costly and this made a ton of dough! My question is: can I freeze the uncooked dough as opposed to cooking them all and then freezing? Thanks a ton for this recipe. Easy and FABULOUS!!

      Reply
      • Katie Hale says

        June 12, 2023 at 1:44 pm

        You can definitely make them into patties or meatballs and freeze before cooking!

        Reply
    2. Lynda says

      June 12, 2023 at 8:55 am

      Do you have the option to bake or fry? Is it one or the other?

      Reply
      • Katie Hale says

        June 12, 2023 at 1:54 pm

        You can bake them at 425°F for 20 minutes, OR you can fry them in 2-3 tablespoons oil for 3 to 4 mminutes per side, or until golden.

        Reply
    3. Josee Wright says

      June 10, 2023 at 6:33 am

      Salisbury steak was one of my favourites as a kid. So happy to have found a vegan recipe that looks amazing. What kind of lentils (brown,red,green) do you find work best for this recipe? I really can't wait to try out this recipe. 💕

      Reply
      • Katie Hale says

        June 12, 2023 at 6:40 am

        While I tend to use brown lentils, you can use any you prefer.

        Reply
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