this homemade vegan sausage is made from seitan and tofu! these vegan sausages are filled with flavor and great for summer grilling.
the inspiration
I love making homemade vegan mockmeats! It is so much fun to get to say you made something yourself. Making vegan sausages is so easy, you won’t believe it. I have shared a vegan pepperoni, vegan hot dog, and vegan salami recipe so now I wanted to share just a generic vegan sausage recipe.
This recipe pulls from a similar method to making the other vegan mockmeats I listed above. In the summer I love grilling and eating lots of delicious food. My mom always made big trays of sausage and peppers, so now I can enjoy it my own way!
the ingredients
- Vital Wheat Gluten: the main ingredient in the vegan salami is vital wheat gluten! This is the protein that is found in gluten and it helps to give a meaty texture.
- Super Firm Tofu: this helps to add structure and a little extra protein in our vegan salami.
- Olive Oil: this will add fat to the vegan sausage.
- Liquid Smoke: this just adds a light touch of smokiness to it, nothing too crazy. If you want to skip on it, you can!
- Fennel Seeds: this is a typical spice used in sausages and cured meats. It adds in a ton of flavor.
- Red Wine Vinegar: adds a bit of interesting flavor and complexity to the vegan sausages.
- Other Seasonings: you will also need salt, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, dried oregano, and onion powder to give tons of great flavor.
what is vital wheat gluten?
Now you may be wondering, what is vital wheat gluten? Vital wheat gluten is the protein found in bread, and no, we aren’t making bread. When the vital wheat gluten is kneaded and mixed with other ingredients it turns into a meat-like texture. It works perfectly to make amazing meaty mockmeats!
Unfortunately, if you have a gluten allergy this recipe won’t work for you. There is no substitute for vital wheat gluten.
I have made a lot of recipes with vital wheat gluten, which the end product is usually referred to as seitan. There are tons of ways to make seitan and you can turn it into so many things. So, don’t be intimidated by vital wheat gluten it is so fun to cook with! You can find it at health food stores, larger grocery stores with the flour or order it online.
preparing and steaming the vegan sausages
First, you will pulse all the vegan salami ingredients in a food processor until they are crumbly. After you pulse everything together in a food processor you will then knead it with your hands. Then you just roll it into a long log shape.
Following that you will first tightly wrap the vegan sausage in parchment paper. The tighter the better because this will expand as it steams. Then you will wrap it in tin foil and twist the ends like a big piece of candy or a party popper. *Note: when I made these I didn’t have parchment paper at the time and it still works of if you just steam in the foil, but they look better if the parchment paper is wrapped around first.
All you need to do then is steam the vegan sausages for 30 minutes. Once it is steamed it will puff up in size and really fill out. It becomes so beautiful and totally transforms from how it first started out!
why you’ll love this vegan sausage recipe
I think making any type of vegan sausage is the perfect introduction recipe to seitan making. It is very DIFFICULT to mess it up. The steaming is basically doing all of the work and it comes out delicious.
It is great for anyone who is vegan, vegetarian or just even has the meat ick! The recipe is also high in protein so it is great for helping you meet your daily protein goals as well. Despite the main ingredient being vital wheat gluten it is also low in carbs.
Making vegan sausages is a very rewarding recipe and experience. You will be so excited when you unwrap them after steaming.
ways to enjoy homemade vegan sausages
First and foremost sausages always make me think of sausage and peppers. So, that is my preferred way to enjoy this recipe. Just saute some thinly sliced onions and peppers, then add in the cooked sausage either whole or sliced. It will add in so much flavor!
Of course you can put this sliced on top of pizza, enjoy it like a bratwurst on a roll. You can cook it up into pieces and put it in a pasta dish as well.
If you want to turn it into crumbles I would still cook it as follows in the recipe and then maybe put it back in the food processor to crumble it up.
vegan sausage faq
- Is this recipe gluten free? No, it uses vital wheat gluten which I have no substitute for at the moment.
- Is this recipe soy free? No, it uses tofu however, you can use a soy-free tofu.
- Is this recipe nut free? Yes.
- How long does this recipe last? Up to 5 days in the fridge.
- Can I freeze this? I didn’t try but I think it should be okay.
- Can I make this oil free? I didn’t try this without olive oil, if you have to I think it should be okay. However, just remember sausage is rather fatty so the olive oil helps to provide some healthy fats.
- How do I store this? In the fridge in a container.
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Vegan Sausage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 ounces super firm tofu
- 1 cup vital wheat gluten
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a food processor pulse the tofu, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and liquid smoke. Pulse for 30 to 45 seconds until a crumbly texture is forming and the ingredients are being mixed together.
- Then add in the vital wheat gluten and seasonings. Continue to pulse until a crumbly mixture forms.
- Use clean hands to knead together for 1 to 3 minutes. Just until it comes together and forms into a ball. Divide into 4 pieces. Roll out into a 5 to 7 inch log shape.
- Use a piece of parchment paper to roll up the vegan seitan sausage tightly and then wrap it tightly in foil. Twist the ends of the foil to make it like a party popper or piece of candy. If you need a visual please check the youtube video.
- Steam in a steamer basket for 30 minutes. Then let them cool for 20 minutes before unwrapping.
- After you unwrap you can them you can enjoy immediately. You can also grill them, cook them in a pan, the oven, or slice them into pieces.
Video
Notes
- Nutrition facts are based on my gram measurements put into Cronometer. Yours may vary, they are to help you get an idea.
- Please do not repost recipes without my permission. Sharing a direct link is always highly encouraged and appreciated.
- For any questions you may have please refer to the FAQ above the recipe card.
- This recipe is designed to make 4 vegan sausages.
- In the video I did not first wrap the vegan sausages in parchment paper because I was out. If you need a visual for how to do that check out the vegan pepperoni recipe.
The best also way better than store bought ones. Thank you my family and vegan friends loved it
So glad to hear you and you family enjoyed it!
Can we keep in freezer ?
Hi yes it should be fine to freeze!
The recipe is tasty but the sausage came out very rubbery. It was dry when it came out of the food processor and it required much manipulation to form it into a sausage form which is probably why it’s so tough and rubbery. I will try this again using some vegetable broth with the hope it won’t be dry and will be much easier to shape without much manipulation. Has anyone tried adding vegetable broth to this recipe?
Hi Angela, I am sorry to hear it came out tough and rubbery. However, with this recipe you really shouldn’t be doing very much to it. It actually doesn’t need any kneading. If you watch the video you can see the full in depth process of making it. All you really need to do is form it into cylinders. I am wondering if you just overworked the seitan too much.
These were so easy to make! I was a little worried when I saw how crumbly they were out of the food processor, but they cooked up beautifully! Will definitely make again!
Hi Beth! Right?! Isn’t is so crazy. I am so glad you like them yay. Thank you for leaving a comment/review means so much xo
very nice sausages, would reccommend trying this recipe out.
awesome so glad you enjoyed them!