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!
Jump to:
What is seitan?
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!
Why I love these Seitan Burgers
- Dietary needs - these sliders are vegan/plant-based, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free
- Real foods - no fake meat here! These burgers are made from entirely whole foods!
- Umami flavor - with mushrooms, beets, and spices like liquid smoke, these seitan burgers have an incredible savory, umami flavor
- Great for summer grilling - prep these burgers ahead of time and throw them on the grill for a delicious vegan burger
- LOADED with protein - seitan is made from vital wheat gluten, which has a very high percentage of protein! So these burgers have just as much (or even more) protein than a regular beef burger. And they also have more protein than a standard veggie burger
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Cremini Mushrooms: I recommend cremini mushrooms (also known as baby bellas) for this recipe because they have a deeper, more umami flavor than regular white button mushrooms. They are also cheaper than some other fancy mushrooms like shiitakes, and provide the same flavor. That said, white button mushrooms will work in this recipe.
- Nutritional Yeast: nutritional yeast is a spice that has a cheesy flavor. These burgers definitely don't taste cheesy (so feel free to add cheese after cooking) but the nutritional yeast helps create a deeper flavor
- Raw Beet: beets are used in many store-bought vegan ground beefs because they help create the beef like color. They also have an earthy taste that helps develop the flavor of these burgers
- Liquid Aminos: liquid aminos are similar to soy sauce - they have a salty flavor. I recommend using liquid aminos in this recipe if possible, but soy sauce will also work.
- Water: water helps create the right texture
- Spices: onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, paprika
- Nut Butter: Adding a bit of fat helps create a richer flavor. I like using peanut butter - it's cheap and there really isn't enough peanut butter to make the burgers taste like peanuts. But feel free to use almond or cashew butter instead.
- Ketchup: look for a no-added sugar ketchup
- Liquid Smoke: this is my secret ingredient in many meat recipes that I turn vegan. Liquid smoke adds a smoky flavor and helps deepen the overall flavor of the burgers. Find liquid smoke in the grocery store near the condiments
- Vital Wheat Gluten: the ingredient that packs all the protein! Vital wheat gluten is available in the baking aisle near other types of flour.
How to make Vegan Seitan Burgers
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!
FAQ & Expert Tips
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.
Boiling Instructions
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.
Serving Suggestions
Burgers and fries! It's a no-brainer:
And check out these plant-based burger toppings:
Recipe Prayer
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.
More vegan burgers
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a review in the comments section below and post on Instagram tagging me @elizabeths_table. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
📖 Recipe
Vegan High Protein Seitan Burgers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Ounces Cremini Mushrooms
- 30 g Nutritional Yeast ½ Cup
- 1 Small Raw Beet, trimmed & scrubbed 100g
- ½ Cup Liquid Aminos
- ½ Cup Water
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Nut Butter I like using peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon Ketchup
- 1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Liquid Smoke
- ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika
- 260 g (2 Cups + 4 Teaspoons) Vital Wheat Gluten
- To serve: buns, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.
Instructions
- 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.
- Add all the ingredients except the vital wheat gluten to a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Pulse in the vital wheat gluten. Mix only until the mixture is just combined.
- Shape the mixture into 8 patties. Then wrap each patty in plastic wrap.
- 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.
- If desired, pan-fry or grill for 3-4 minutes per side, until browned.
- Serve burger style with your favorite toppings!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Comments
No Comments