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    Home » Mains » Best Vegan Steak Recipe (Seitan)

    Best Vegan Steak Recipe (Seitan)

    June 20, 2020 / Updated April 6, 2021 / By Verna / 31 Comments

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    Vegan Steak! You will freak when you taste my vegan alternative to steak! Juicy, marinated Seitan steak with a perfect meaty chew! Delicious and easy vegetarian meat recipe!

    overhead view vegan steak sliced in a grill pan

     

    Ok I’ll admit I used loved a good juicy grilled ribeye steak! (long day ago) But I don’t miss it especially when I have veganized it so well! Yup vegan steak guys! It’s on the menu- And it’s fabulous! Slices like butter. Hard to believe it’s plant based! 

    The perfect dinner with with gravy and mashed potatoes or as I like it- with vegan garlic butter, horseradish, baked or roasted potatoes and veggies! Mmm and corn on the Cobb. YUM! Great cut into strips or cubed for stir fries, stews or salads too! So many options 

    I wanted to create a great seitan steak recipe as there are no good options to buy them anywhere! And if you can find one they’re pricey. They rarely even have gardein beefless tips stocked in my area and definitely not at any local restaurants!

    A crazy good protein rich meal for vegetarians and if you want to impress meat eaters, serve them this! It’ll blow their mind!

    The magic happens when these vegan seitan steaks are marinated, fired on the bbq and grilled! OMG so good

    overhead view of vegan steaks in a grill pan with a fork and knife below

    What is vegan steak made of and what does it taste like?

    This vegetarian steak recipe is made using vital wheat gluten and lentils, not tofu. It has a chew much like beef and the taste is similar as it takes on the flavours of the marinade which is super tasty and 100 % plant based. 

    Let’s keep those cows safe and happily grazing in the fields shall we❤️

    What is seitan?

    Seitan is a vegan meat substitute made using vital wheat gluten. It is sometimes referred to as “wheat meat”

    What is vital wheat gluten?

    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.

    How do you make vegan steak?

    For the seitan: First add the ingredients for the seitan steaks in your food processor (except vital wheat gluten) and process until smooth. 

    Now add the gluten evenly on top of the wet mix. Process until JUST COMBINED! You do not want to over mix or the steaks could turn out tough.

    Turn the dough out onto the counter. Do not kneed the dough! Press into a disc approximately 8-9 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Portion the steaks like you would a pie, into 4-6 pieces. Wrap steaks individually in tin foil, wrap loosely to leave room for expansion during steaming.

    To cook the raw seitan: Place in your steamer basket (pot) and steam for 30 minutes over medium heat, flipping them halfway through.

    step by step photos how to make vegan steak using seitan

    While the steaks are steaming make the marinade: Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk together until sugar is dissolved. Set aside

    steak marinade in a bowl with a whisk

    When steaks are done, remove from foil packets and place in a shallow dish (I use my glass pie plate) or a large freezer bag. Pour the marinade evenly over the steaks. Marinade for a minimum of one hour or longer (I usually leave mine for 6 hours or overnight for better flavour and texture).

    four seitan steaks marinating in a glass dish

    To grill: cook the steaks on your grill pan or bbq over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, to get some good char marks and flavour! basting frequently with the marinade. 

    Move to a serving platter and add a little more marinade for added juiciness. Serve and enjoy! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below.

    four vegan steaks being grilled

    What side dishes to serve with seitan steak?

    • Best Vegan Macaroni Salad with Smoked Tofu – So Easy!
    • Garlic and Balsamic Roasted Mushrooms
    • The Ultimate Vegan Mac and Cheese (Daiya)
    • Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
    • Best & Easiest Vegan Mushroom Gravy! (GF & Oil Free Option)
    • Vegan Mashed Potatoes (Instant Pot)
    • Vegan Caesar Salad (Best Caesar Dressing!)
    • Best & Easiest Vegan Broccoli Salad
    • Classic Vegan Coleslaw
    • Best Home Fries Recipe (Breakfast Potatoes)
    • Best Tofu Scramble (Vegan Scrambled Eggs)

    OK GUYS LET'S FIRE UP THE BARBY AND COOK SOME VEGAN STEAKS, THEY'RE:

    juicy and meaty

    protein rich and satisfying!

    fun to make

    simple

    great for a summer potluck

    saucy

    Enjoy guys! Happy day to you! feel free to leave a comment and a rating below. I would love to hear from you.

    Follow me on PINTEREST and INSTAGRAM for more tasty Plant Based Vegan Recipes❤️

    Want more vegan meat recipes with seitan? Check these out!

    • Vegan Turkey Recipe
    • Vegan Burger (Best Grillable Vegan Burger Ever!)
    • Vegetarian Salsbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy (Vegan) (Meatball version)

     

    Print
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    overhead view vegan steak sliced in a grill pan

    Best Vegan Steak Recipe (Seitan)


    ★★★★★

    5 from 8 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 36 minutes
    • Total Time: 56 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 Steaks 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Steak! You will freak when you taste my vegan alternative to steak! Juicy, marinated Seitan steak with a perfect meaty chew! Delicious and easy vegetarian meat recipe!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Vegan Steaks:

    • 3/4 cup water
    • 3/4 cup canned lentils, rinsed and drained
    • 2 tablespoons tamari (could sub soy sauce)
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 teaspoon better than beef vegetarian bouilllon*
    • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 1 teaspoon chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon granulated onion
    • 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
    • 1 and 1/3 cups vital wheat gluten

    For the marinade:

    • 3 tablespoons water
    • 2 tablespoons tamari
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons oil, I use grapeseed oil
    • 1 to 1 and 1/2 tablespoons vegan worcestershire sauce, I like Wizard's or Annies 
    • 1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard
    • 1 and 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
    • pinch of salt and pepper

    Instructions

    1. For the seitan steak: First add the ingredients for the seitan steaks in your food processor (except vital wheat gluten) and process until smooth. 
    2. Now add the gluten evenly on top of the wet mix. Process until JUST COMBINED! You do not want to over mix or the steaks could turn out tough. See step by step photos in above post if necessary
    3. Turn the seitan dough onto the counter. Do not kneed the dough! Press into a disc approximately 8-9 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Portion the steaks like you would a pie, into 4-6 pieces. Wrap steaks individually in tin foil, wrap loosely to leave room for expansion during steaming.
    4. To cook the raw seitan: Place in your steamer basket (pot) with lid and steam for 30 minutes over medium heat, flipping them halfway through.
    5. While the steaks are steaming make the marinade: Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk together until sugar is dissolved. Set aside
    6. When steaks are done, remove from foil packets and place in a shallow dish (I use my glass pie plate) or a large freezer bag. Pour the marinade evenly over the steaks. Marinade for a minimum of one hour or longer. I usually leave mine for 3-6 hours for better flavour and texture or overnight if I have time.
    7. To grill: cook the steaks on your grill pan or bbq over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, to get some good char marks and flavour! basting frequently with the marinade.
    8. Move to a serving platter and add a little more marinade for added juiciness. Serve and enjoy! I like my steak with a little vegan garlic butter, horseradish sauce for dipping, along side baked or roasted potatoes, corn on the Cobb and green salad or caesar salad maybe some grilled veggies too! SO GOOD! Would make an excellent vegan steak sandwich also! or sliced for stir fries, stews or soups! Lots of tasty options!

    Notes

    • You can substitute veggie stock for water and bouillon paste
    • I have used steak sauce (HP or A1) in place of Worcestershire and it works in a pinch😊👍
    • steaks will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days and freeze well with or without the marinade (steamed first)
    • If you can’t find vital wheat gluten here is a link for you.
    • Nutritional chart below does not include marinade ingredients
    • prep time doesn't include marinating time
    • this recipe cannot be made gluten free
    • recipe inspired by Bosh with the Happy Pear
    • Category: Mains
    • Method: food processor / stovetop
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian

    Keywords: vegan steak, seitan steak, vegan seitan steak,

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carrie

      March 20, 2021 at 7:08 pm

      Thank you so much I must have missed it. I've made these twice and love them, the second time I skipped the.marinade and made them into seitan wings. So good!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        March 20, 2021 at 11:04 pm

        That makes me so happy! Thank you!

        Reply
    2. Shannon

      February 21, 2021 at 8:48 am

      Grilled these steaks on the bbq yesterday. Really impressed, that marinade is wonderful.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        February 21, 2021 at 9:36 am

        Awesome glad you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    3. Carrie

      February 18, 2021 at 4:59 pm

      Hi there was wondering if these can be frozen? I haven't made them yet but would like to batch them out and freeze if I can

      Reply
      • Verna

        February 19, 2021 at 6:33 am

        Hi Carrie all the info is there for you in the notes section of recipe card. Just make sure you steam them first. I usually freeze with marinade. Enjoy!

        Reply
    4. Rhonda

      February 07, 2021 at 3:39 pm

      Very pleased with this recipe . The texture is great and the marinade is top notch!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        February 08, 2021 at 6:52 am

        thank you!!

        Reply
    5. mary beth

      January 27, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Hello, I made these steaks today and although they appeared very good the texture was soft and spongy.(they were not edible) I know I measured the ingredients properly and followed the instructions very carefully. Now I'm wondering if I didn't knead them (in the food processor) long enough since you said that "if they are over-kneaded they will turn out tough"? Or could it be that when I steamed them the temp. wasn't High enough for the 30 minutes? I am also, wondering if they can be salvaged, maybe by slicing and frying for sandwiches, would that toughen up the texture? I would really appreciate your opinion on this because I would love to learn how to produce great seiten starting with these steaks. Thank you, Mary Beth

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 27, 2021 at 7:36 pm

        Hi Mary Beth, the ingredients do need to be properly mixed in the food processor, and 'sealed' in tin foil but with room for expansion. they should be steamed (the water should be at a pretty good boil) for 30 minutes. I'm honestly not sure why they didn't work for you? They do firm up the longer they sit so you could marinate longer, overnight perhaps. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    6. Pam

      January 07, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      my new favourite Seitan recipe This steak seriously rocks! Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 08, 2021 at 5:16 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    7. Nora

      January 07, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      Really impressed with this steak! Everyone loved it and that marinade is top notch! thanks so much for sharing

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        January 08, 2021 at 5:15 am

        thanks so much!

        Reply
    8. Sandra Prosser

      December 16, 2020 at 5:12 am

      Hi our whole family want to go veggie 12in total we all love meat. I need help in finding good substitutes can you recommend any you look to have some amazing food on here I’m shocked how good it looks

      Reply
      • Charmaine

        February 03, 2021 at 3:26 am

        What type of can lentils you used for this recipe? Can I use chickpea ?

        Reply
        • Verna

          February 03, 2021 at 6:05 am

          Brown or green lentils. I recommend sticking to recipe. Hope that helps -enjoy!!

          Reply
          • Sophia

            February 18, 2021 at 7:12 pm

            Hi! I just tried this recipe but did not have lentils. I used white beans(navy beans)and it works surprisingly well!! Hope that helps!

            Reply
            • Verna

              February 19, 2021 at 6:28 am

              Good to know Sophia! glad you enjoyed it thanks for your comment!

    9. DKD

      December 14, 2020 at 10:15 am

      BEST vegan steak recipe—I agree with the title!! Instead of canned lentils, which I didn’t have, I cooked red lentils and used 1 cup-since they were pretty liquid-y, I omitted adding any water, and the texture was perfect!! The marinade was delicious!! I have tried about 3 other vegan steak recipes, and this is the best—will definitely make again!! YUM!!!

      Reply
      • Verna

        December 14, 2020 at 11:13 am

        thank you so much! Absolutley thrilled you enjoyed the recipe.

        Reply
    10. Brit

      October 07, 2020 at 11:04 am

      What if you do not have a steam basket. Can you bake in oven?

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 07, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        Hi Brit, you could add foil wrapped seitan to baking dish, set in larger baking dish, like a roasting pan that is filled with a couple inches with water. Cover the whole thing tightly with foil. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 40 minutes. This is a suggestion as I have not tried this. If you do let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    11. Alexa

      October 05, 2020 at 3:06 am

      I was pleasantly surprised by how good this was! We served it with gravy and potatoes really tasty. Thank you😊

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        October 05, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        thrilled you enjoyed it! thanks so much for your comment!

        Reply
    12. Midge

      June 24, 2020 at 4:02 pm

      Wow , I really liked making these so worth it . We had them with baked potato and salad .

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 24, 2020 at 4:12 pm

        Yay! so happy you enjoyed the steaks Midge! Appreciate your comment!

        Reply
    13. Sam

      June 21, 2020 at 4:40 pm

      These look amazing! I can’t wait to make these for dinner tonight!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 21, 2020 at 6:07 pm

        Thanks Sam! Enjoy!

        Reply
    14. KELLEY MCLEAN

      June 20, 2020 at 10:46 pm

      These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them!! Would you ever recommend any additional seasoning to these? We always used Montreal Steak Seasoning and love those flavors.

      Reply
      • Verna

        June 20, 2020 at 11:36 pm

        Hi Kelley! the marinade is very flavourful so wait until your grilling them and add some then if you like! It is also one of my favourite seasoning blends😊

        Reply

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