Make high protein vegan burgers using seitan! Vegan seitan burgers are absolutely loaded with protein and with a few key ingredients like mushrooms and beets, have the taste, texture, and appearance of a regular burger.
This is the vegan burger you've been waiting for!
Seitan burgers are absolutely PACKED with protein. I'm talking 29g of protein per patty! (Which is more protein than in a 4oz beef burger - only 21g.)
These vegan seitan burgers are not only loaded with protein, they also have a taste and texture so similar to a regular burger.
Vital wheat gluten (the main ingredient in seitan) doesn't have much of a flavor by itself. So that's where some other key ingredients come into play. Mushrooms, beets, nutritional yeast, liquid smoke, and spices come together in these burgers for a smoky, umami burger flavor that is crave-worthy!
If you are looking for a healthy, protein-rich, actually tasty vegan burger, this is the burger for you!
Seitan is a meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten. Various seitan recipes can be made from vital wheat gluten by varying the spices and cooking method.
Vital wheat gluten basically a flour like substance that is primarily protein. This is what makes the burgers so high in protein!
Step 1. Start the steamer. Fill a medium sized pot with water, place a steamer basket on top of the pot, cover with a lid, and bring the water to a boil.
Step 2. Add all the ingredients except the vital wheat gluten to a food processor and blend until smooth.
Step 3. Pulse in the vital wheat gluten. Mix only until the mixture is just combined.
Step 4. Shape the mixture into 8 patties. Then wrap each patty in plastic wrap.
Step 5. Place the patties in the steamer basket and steam for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, turn off the heat and leave the patties covered in the steamer basket or 30 minutes.
Step 6. If desired, pan-fry or grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned.
Step 7. Serve burger style with your favorite toppings!
I highly recommend using a kitchen scale for this recipe.
Vital wheat gluten is like a flour, so think of this almost like a baking recipe. You want to be as precise as possible for best results.
Seitan is made from vital wheat gluten, which is basically pure gluten. So no, these burgers aren't gluten free.
If you're looking for some gluten-free vegan burgers try my black bean burgers and sliders or my mushroom burgers and sliders!
Yes!
If you have a blender you can blend all the ingredients except the vital wheat gluten in your blender until smooth. Then transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the vital wheat gluten by hand.
If you don't have a blender, you can still make the burgers. You'll need to very finely chop the mushrooms and beet. I recommend using a box grater to grate the veggies and then going back over with a knife. Then mix all the ingredients (including the vital wheat gluten) together in a bowl. You may need to add a bit of extra water until the mixture just comes together.
Steaming baskets to fit any pot you have are a great kitchen accessory. Or, invest in a pot that has a specific steaming pot to fit inside.
If you don't have either of these, you can use a colander that fits inside your pot.
Or you can boil the burgers instead.
Bring a large pot of water or vegetable broth to a boil.
Add the patties and simmer for 60-80 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the patties sit in the liquid another 15-20 minutes.
NOTE: this will result in a more spongy texture than steaming. I highly recommend steaming for best results!
Yes. Just like a loaf of bread might take an hour in the oven, the vital wheat gluten needs an hour or so of time to fully cook.
If you'd like to save some time, feel free to prep the patties ahead of time and grill/pan fry them the day of.
Make the patties and steam them ahead of time.
The patties can actually be eaten just like this, without additional cooking.
They can also be stored in the fridge after steaming. The steamed patties will last in the fridge for up to a week.
When you're ready to serve, throw the patties on the grill or pan fry for an extra layer of crispy char!
Store the steamed or steamed & grilled patties in an air tight container for up to a week.
To reheat, you can grill, pan-fry, or microwave.
Burgers and fries! It's a no-brainer:
And check out these plant-based burger toppings:
Thank you God for these protein rich burgers that give our muscles the nutrients they need. Thank you for this healthy meal to fuel our bodies. Amen.
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Make high protein vegan burgers using seitan! Vegan seitan burgers are absolutely loaded with protein and with a few key ingredients like mushrooms and beets, have the taste, texture, and appearance of a regular burger.
I highly recommend using a kitchen scale to measure the weights of the ingredients in this recipe.
Vital wheat gluten is like a flour, so think of this almost like a baking recipe. You want to be as precise as possible for best results.
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