How to Make Seitan from Scratch

If you want the taste of meat without animal meat, you must try Seitan. You can easily substitute this meat at home with vital wheat gluten and a few pantry staples. 

Although making Seitan at home may seem like a long process when you first start, it is not complicated. Once you make a few batches, you will get the hang of it and before you know it you will be making homemade Seitan all the time.

What is Seitan?

Seitan is a meat substitute made from wheat. It is also known as “wheat meat” or “mock duck.”

Seitan is made from gluten, the protein in wheat that makes dough elastic and stretchy. However, wheat contains other components like starch and bran as well. So, you must first remove the starch and bran from the wheat. The gluten left behind is then seasoned and simmered to yield Seitan. 

Interestingly, Seitan has a long history traced to Asia, where Buddhist monks used it instead of meat for centuries. It tastes like blanched chicken or portobello mushroom. Although it barely has any flavor, it soaks up the flavors of spices, herbs, and other ingredients. The taste and texture of Seitan resemble meat, making it an excellent vegetarian substitute for it in non-vegetarian recipes.  

Not only does Seitan have a neutral taste, but it also has a rich nutritional profile. The high protein content is comparable to animal meat. For example, seitan is rich in minerals but has low carbohydrate and fat levels. The only downside to this vegan meat substitute is that it is unsuitable for people with gluten allergies. 

You can find readymade Seitan in Asian supermarkets and grocery stores. However, pre-packaged varieties usually have high sodium content. The healthier and budget-friendly option is to make Seitan at home.

There are many ways in which you can add Seitan to your diet. For instance, you can

• Use it as a substitute for ground beef
• Marinate with spices and seasonings and bake it
• Use Seitan strips in stir-fry recipes, fajitas, and wraps
• Batter-fry it like chicken
• Cover with barbeque sauce and serve as the main course
• Bake or grill on skewers
• Steam or cook in a broth
• Add to stews and curries

Overview of the various stages involved in making homemade Seitan

Seitan-making is an elaborate process. However, it is not complicated. Here is the step-by-step process to follow.

Make the dough

For 2 cups of seitan, you will need 1 cup of vital wheat gluten and ¼ cup of soy flour. You can substitute soy flour with chickpea flour if you prefer.

Add 1 cup of water gradually into the flour and mix it to form a stiff dough.

Knead the dough

To achieve the meaty and stretch texture of Seitan, you must activate the gluten in the wheat. Knead the dough for 5 minutes to develop the strands of gluten. Then, let it rest for 5 minutes.

Prepare the broth

The broth serves two purposes:

• It adds flavor to Seitan
• Removes the starch and bran, leaving the gluten behind

For 2 cups of Seitan, you will need six cups of broth as the Seitan will increase in size as it cooks. So, do not skimp on the liquid.

Since the broth flavors the Seitan, choose ingredients for it based on how you want your Seitan to taste. Here are some flavor suggestions for savory Seitan:

• Garlic (fresh or dried)
• Miso (dark or light)
• Dried or fresh herbs
• Onion powder
• Soy sauce
• Nutritional yeast
• Worcestershire sauce
• Wine
• Liquid smoke

You can add these ingredients to low sodium vegetable broth, miso broth, or even water. To season the Seitan, use soy sauce or liquid aminos.

Simmer the gluten

Once the gluten has rested, cut the dough into smaller pieces, it will ensure that the broth penetrates the gluten during cooking. Additionally, it also allows the gluten to expand to full size while it cooks. 

Place the broth in a pot and wait until it boils. Once it begins to boil, lower the heat and add the dough. Cook for one hour while continuously monitoring the pot. Ensure that the broth does not come to a rolling boil as it can overcook the Seitan and make it chewy.

Store the Seitan

You can directly use the Seitan after one hour of cooking. However, if you don’t want to use it immediately, store it in the broth. Refrigerate and use within five days. If you wish your Seitan to last more than five days, seal it in an airtight bag and freeze it. 

So, here is a quick recap of all the steps to make Seitan from scratch with an accurate ingredient list for your quick reference.

Recipe for Homemade Seitan

Ingredients:

For the dough

• 1 cup vital wheat gluten
• 1/4 cup soy flour
• 1 cup water

For the broth

• 6 cups low sodium vegetable broth or water
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp miso paste
• 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tsp liquid smoke
• 2 tsp finely powdered black pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Method:

1. Combine vital wheat gluten and soy flour in a mixing bowl.
2. Add water gradually into the mixture and mix by hand till it forms a soft and stiff dough.
3. Transfer the dough to a work surface. Knead thoroughly for five minutes to release the gluten.
4. Let the dough rest for five minutes.
5. While the dough rests, add all the ingredients for the broth into a large pot and mix it well.  
6. Place the pot on the stovetop and bring the contents to a boil. Then, lower the heat and let it simmer on a low flame.
7. Once the dough has rested, cut it into small pieces. You can make small strips or chunks as you prefer.
8. Add the pieces of dough into the broth. Do not cover the pot.
9. Let the broth simmer for one hour on low heat. Continuously monitor it to make sure that the broth does not rapidly boil.
10. After one hour, take the pot off the heat and allow it to cool.
11. Use the Seitan directly in a recipe or store it for future use. Refrigerate the seitan in the broth, if you plan to use it within five days. To store it for longer, seal it and freeze it once it cools down.

Seitan is an excellent meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians who wish to avoid meat. The meaty texture makes it a superior choice to other meat substitutes like tofu and tempeh. 

Although readymade Seitan is available, it is often expensive and high in sodium. Fortunately, you can make homemade Seitan with just a few ingredients. Follow our recipe to whip up a batch of Seitan and enjoy the benefits of this protein-rich, healthy vegan meat substitute. Try it!