If you’re craving chewy, meaty, high-protein vegan meals, seitan is where it’s at. Whether you’re new to making homemade vegan meat or you’re already a gluten wrangler, here are 18 of the best seitan recipes out there. From sausages and burgers to wings, roasts, and deli slices, these recipes are easy to follow, totally satisfying, and packed with plant-based power. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, holidays, and everything in between.
What is Seitan?
Seitan (pronounced say-tan) is a popular vegan meat alternative made from vital wheat gluten, the protein found in wheat. It’s prized for its chewy, meat-like texture and neutral flavor that soaks up any marinade or seasoning you throw at it. Unlike tofu or tempeh, seitan has a firmer, heartier bite, making it perfect for grilling, frying, baking, or simmering in sauces.
It’s also super high in protein (athletes love it!), budget-friendly, freezer-friendly, and seriously delicious. Once you get the hang of making seitan, it just might become your new go-to. It’s even better than store-bought vegan meats!
Seitan Recipes Troubleshooting Tips:
- Too tough or rubbery? You may have overmixed or overkneaded the dough. The more you knead it, the tougher it gets.
- Too bubblegum or gooey? It’s likely that you didn’t steam the seitan long enough. The seitan must reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71 °C) to set properly.
- Too dry or bready? If you skipped steaming, the seitan will likely turn out tough and dry. Steaming is crucial to get that juicy, meaty texture!
New to Seitan?
If this all sounds a little intimidating, don’t worry! I’ve got a free masterclass that walks you through it step by step (even if you’ve never made seitan before). Join here.
18 Best Seitan Recipes:
- Vegan Chicken (Washed Flour Seitan): Vital wheat gluten and water, kneaded into a stretchy dough, boiled or steamed, then torn into shreds for that real-deal chicken texture. Perfect for meal prep.
- Vegan Wheat Starch Bacon: This one is for the seitan nerds. You wash the starch out of flour, then season and fry up what’s left. It’s chewy, smoky, crispy-edged, and seriously addictive.
FEATURED COMMENT:
I have never in my life left a comment on a recipe but for this one… girl… I AM ASTOUNDED IT IS GENUINLY INCREDIBLE… – Imo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vegan Chicken (Washed Flour Seitan)
- Vegan Swedish Meatballs: Juicy, tender, and bathed in creamy gravy. These little meatballs are made in the food processor and simmered until soft.
- Vegan Italian Meatballs (Seitan): Loaded with garlic, herbs, and that bold savory flavour that fills your kitchen. These are perfect on pasta or stuffed into subs. Just the right amount of chewiness.
- Vegan Italian Seitan Sausages: All the fennel, garlic, and red wine vibes you want in a sausage—without the pig. These are steamed in aluminum foil then browned in a pan. Slice them into sauces or eat as-is.
- Vegan Spicy Sausage Pasta: A weeknight go-to. Toss those seitan sausages with noodles, tomato sauce, and red pepper flakes. Quick, spicy, and full of protein-packed comfort.
FEATURED COMMENT:
Love this recipe. These are so good. I will make these again and again. Easy to make and taste and texture is amazing. – Kate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Vegan Italian Seitan Sausages
- Vegan Chicken Wings: Sticky, saucy, chewy perfection. This classic bar food served with vegan blue cheese dip and all! Make ahead recipe. Perfect for Superbowl Sunday, game night, or a party appetizer.
- Vegan Chicken Tenders (Seitan): Golden and crunchy on the outside, juicy and chewy on the inside. Coat in breadcrumbs and pan-fry for that satisfying bite. This homemade vegan seitan chicken recipe is easy to make, just 8 ingredients, can be made ahead of time, and once prepared can be used any way that you might have cooked chicken. Marinate, bread, fry, crust, bake, grill, BBQ, the options are endless!!!
FEATURED COMMENT:
All I can say is OMG! If I hadn’t made it I would have not know that it was not chicken. I am so happy right now. Thank you so much for this amazing and easy recipe. – Kristin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Seitan Caesat Salad
- Vegan Turkey Roast: This Turkey Roast-style seitan is seasoned with classic herbs, wrapped in foil, and baked until sliceable. It’s super meaty, tender, juicy, rich yet mild flavor, and with buttery garlic crispy skin!! You and your family will be amazed at how delicious it is!
- Homemade Vegan Deli Slices (Smoked Seitan Turkey): Homemade Vegan Deli Slices take 10 minutes prep time, they are easy to make, freezer-friendly, high in protein, they’re cheaper and healthier than store-bought, and they taste and have a texture just like smoked turkey!
- Vegan Baloney (Bologna): Easy to make and tastes better than store-bought! Make this bologna ahead of time and then have it ready to slice for a snack or sandwiches. It’s even great fried! Great for your kids lunch box.
- Easy Vegan Pepperoni: Perfect to top your pizza. It’s surprisingly easy to make, tastes way better than store-bought. Can be stored in the fridge or freezer so you have it on hand whenever you need vegan pepperoni.
- The Best Vegan Seitan Burger: Just 10 ingredients to make the best homemade burger patty ever. Juicy, chewy, meaty, and holds up on the grill! Make these ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer until ready to serve. Then toss them on the grill or in a frying pan when ready to serve.
- Vegan Seitan Steak: Yes, it’s vegan!! Mouth-watering, tender, chewy, juicy, flavourful, meat-like texture. Amazing! BBQ or pan fry then serve whole or slice and put on top of salad for a steak salad. So delicious and satisfying!
- Vegan Steak Sandwich: This sandwich is packed with steak slices, sauté with onions, red bell pepper, and garlic, all topped with melty nacho cheese, and did I mention it’s vegan!?
- 12 Seitan or Tofu Marinades: Each marinade takes less than 5 minutes to prepare using pantry staples you might already have on hand. Let your seitan or tofu marinate in the fridge for up to 4 days, or you can freeze them for later.
FEATURED COMMENT:
This was incredible – the most delicious veggie burger I’ve ever tasted / made hands down. Will be filling my freezer up with them! – Freya ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Best Vegan Seitan Burger
I hope you find a new favorite seiitan recipe in this list! Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or to impress a crowd, there’s a seitan recipe here for every occasion. Don’t forget to leave a comment, rate the recipes, and tag me on Instagram @itdoesnttastelikechicken if you make one. I LOVE seeing your creations! 💚
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull.
