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The 30-Minute Foolproof Seitan

A quick guide to a base seitan recipe. Perfect for weekly meal prep.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
rest time 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

Dry Base
  • 2 cups Vital Wheat Gluten
  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder Optional
  • 1 tsp Onion Powder Optional
Liquid Mix
  • 1 3/4 cups water vegetable broth for more flavor
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Equipment

  • 1 Large mixing bowl
  • 1 Baking sheet (cookie sheet)

Method
 

  1. Hydrate the Base
    Whisk (2 cups) Vital Wheat Gluten, (1/4 cup) Nutritional Yeast, and your optional spices (1 tsp Garlic Powder and 1 tsp Onion Powder) together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate measuring cup, combine (1 3/4 cups) Water or broth, (3 tbsp) Soy Sauce,(1 tbsp) Apple Cider Vinegar, and (2 tbsp) Olive or Vegetable Oil. Pour the wet mixture directly into the dry ingredients.
  2. The Quick Knead
    Stir the combined ingredients with a fork until a solid, wet dough ball forms and cleans the sides of the bowl. Vigorously knead the dough with your hands inside the bowl for exactly 2 minutes to stretch and align the protein strands.
  3. The Rest Phase
    Leave the dough ball untouched on the counter for 5 minutes.. Pure wheat gluten is highly elastic; resting allows the protein network to relax, making it pliable enough to shape.
  4. The Sheet Pan Press
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Heavily grease a rimmed baking sheet with cooking oil or spray. Place the rested dough ball in the center of the pan. Using the heels of your hands, smash, press, and pull the dough outward until it forms an even sheet roughly ½ inch thick.
  5. The Bake and Flip
    Place the pan in the oven and bake for 12 minutes. Remove the pan, carefully slide a large spatula underneath, and flip the entire sheet of seitan over. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 12 minutes. The seitan is finished when the surface is matte, slightly browned, and feels firm to the touch.