A fan-favorite plant protein
Seitan (pronounced “SAY-tan”) is the vegan superhero we’ve all been waiting for. With its chewy, meaty texture and versatility in replicating virtually any animal-based dish, it’s no wonder that it has become a fan favorite.
Packed with plant-based protein, this wheat gluten wonder can help you forget about meat—or at least make you rethink your options.
If you’re new to cooking with seitan, don’t worry; you’re in good hands. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics, answer common questions, and guide you when it’s time to hit the grocery store.
We’ll also provide easy recipes and share video tutorials to help you become a seitan pro in no time.
Are you ready to get hungry? Let’s dig in!
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Prepared seitan / Source
Basics / Shopping / Recipes / Video Tutorials
1. Basics
If you're new to seitan, start here.
Where did seitan come from?
Seitan's roots go back over 1,000 years, so it's been around long enough to have earned its place in history. Created by Zen Buddhists in China and Japan, it was their secret weapon for replacing meat in their plant-based meals. They probably didn't realize they were creating the MVP of vegan protein then, but here we are.
The name seitan comes from the Japanese words sei, meaning "to be" or "become," and tan, which is short for tanpaku, meaning "protein."
So, it means "made of protein."
But don't let its humble roots fool you. This wheat gluten wonder is a culinary chameleon, effortlessly transforming into crispy chicken strips, chewy beefy bits, or whatever your recipe demands.
It's made from gluten
Seitan is the protein-rich part of wheat flour, also known as gluten.
To make it, wheat flour dough is washed with water to remove the starch, leaving behind a sticky, elastic mass of gluten. After that, it’s seasoned with spices and cooked to bring out its flavor.
It may sound simple, but the result is far tastier than it sounds.
What does seitan taste like?
On its own, seitan is pretty flavorless.
However, it absorbs seasonings and flavors incredibly well, taking on whatever taste you add. Its chewy, meaty texture makes it a perfect choice for those craving familiar, satisfying textures from their pre-vegan meals.
Grocery carts at the market / Source
Basics / Shopping / Recipes / Video Tutorials
2. Shopping guide
Here’s what you need to know before you head to the store. This section contains affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Where can I buy vegan seitan?
Since seitan comes in infinite products, you'll find it in a few places.
- Refrigerated Sections: In many grocery stores, especially those with a dedicated plant-based section, seitan is typically found in the refrigerated aisle near tofu and other meat alternatives.
- Baking Aisle: If you're interested in making seitan at home, vital wheat gluten (the primary ingredient) is often located in the baking aisle of health food stores or larger supermarkets.
Asian grocery stores frequently carry various seitan products to explore and cal lead to discovering unique seitan products and preparations. Check your local market.
Vegan seitan brands
Supplies you'll need to make seitan at home
If you're making seitan from scratch, look for vital wheat gluten or gluten flour—not regular flour. The key is to choose one with at least 75% protein to ensure the right texture.
Another crucial ingredient is stock. Since seitan is neutral in flavor, cooking it in a well-seasoned broth helps develop a richer taste.
Homemade stock works well and is budget-friendly, but store-bought or bouillon-based versions are great options, too. Many people prefer no-chicken-style bouillon, such as this Better Than Bouillon version, for its depth of flavor.
Since recipes vary, always check the ingredient list before heading to the store.
Basics / Shopping / Recipes / Video Tutorials
3. Vegan seitan recipes
Ready for cooking inspiration? These recipes will surely satisfy you.
Frequently asked questions
Before the recipes, let's get the answers to the most commonly asked questions about seitan.
Maple breakfast sausage from Karissa's Vegan Kitchen
Vegan pepperoni from Your Daily Vegan
Vegan ribs from Veganosity
Bosnian Burek from Slavic Vegan
Southwest bowl with agave lime seitan from The Nut-Free Vegan
Seitan satay from Sunnyside Hanne
Mongolian vegan beef from Yup, it's vegan
Grill-able vegan burgers from The Cheeky Chickpea
Tender vegan steak recipe from Vegan Blueberry
Recipes to try
- Vegan Pepperoni
Your Daily Vegan
- BBQ Ribs
Veganosity
- Vegan Bosnian Burek with Ground Seitan
Slavic Vegan
- Southwest Buddha Bowl with Agave Lime Seitan
The Nut-Free Vegan
- Vegan Satay with Spicy Peanut Sauce
Sunnyside Hanne
- Mongolian Seitan "Beef"
Yup, It's Vegan
- Grillable Vegan Burgers
The Cheeky Chickpea
- Tender Vegan Steak
Vegan Blueberry
- Maple Breakfast Sausage
Karissa's Vegan Kitchen
Basics / Shopping / Recipes / Video Tutorials
4. Video tutorials
Because sometimes it’s easier to watch a video.
See how it's done
It's impossible to link to every creative video or tutorial on this topic, but these stand out for producing consistently delicious results.
Truth in advertising
This guide is created with a commitment to accuracy and transparency for the vegan community. It is based on extensively researched sources to ensure reliable and ethical recommendations.
If you spot an error, please reach out.
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