If you’re a seasoned Vegan / Vegetarian or a newbie – you know (or will soon) it can be difficult to get in an adequate amount of protein!!
Here is one of my absolute FAVORITE ways to make a high-protein “deli meat”, without the meat!! It’s incredibly simple to make, can be made in bulk, and freezes wonderfully!! I love adding random spices that I’m feeling in the moment, so feel free to do the same!! The type of liquid smoke you use also lends a great splash of flavor to the ‘meat’!
I love using Ezekiel Bread, some mustard and lettuce to make this JUST like a ‘regular old turkey sandwhich’!!
Let me know what you think, and how you like to eat yours!!
Homemade Vegan “Deli Meat”
A healthy, high protein, vegan "deli meat" alternative
Servings 48 oz
Equipment
- 1 Steamer Basket you will use this to steam the "loaf" first!
- 1 Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 3 cups Vital Wheat Gluten
- 1/4 cup Chickpea Flour if you have a dry ingredient Vitamix, you can make your own!
- 1 block Super Firm Tofu super firm will give you the best results, and highest protein!
- 2 cups Vegetable Broth / No Chicken Broth
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Liquid Smoke
- 1/4 cup Braggs Amino Acids
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Coconut Aminos optional
- 2 tsp Tamari optional
- 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast optional
Instructions
- Bring a large steamer pot to a boil on your stove, then lower to a simmer.
- In a high-speed blender, combine all ingredients from the Tofu down, and blend until smooth.
- Using a large bowl, combine the Vital Wheat Gluten and Chickpea Flour.
- Add liquid mixture into the flour, and fold together until a dough is formed.
- Grab a 12 in. piece of aluminum foil and a 12 in. piece of parchment paper (it doesn't have to be exact!!) Place the dough ball onto the parchment paper and form a short and tall loaf-shape using your hands. Roll the loaf into the parchment paper, forming a "tube" around it – leave the ends open. Next, bring the loaf back to the bottom of the aluminum foil and repeat the same process – roll the loaf into the foil. Twist the ends up so it looks like a candy wrapper, being careful not to twist too tightly!!
- Place the loaf into the steamer basket. (You might find that you need to press the sides in to get it to fit, which will squish the ends of the foil – this is completely fine!!) Steam for an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the loaf has finished steaming, transfer it to a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the loaf from the oven, unwrap, and allow to cool before slicing! I find that leaving it in the fridge overnight really helps to make the slicing easier!! Make sure to use a serrated knife if you have one!
- You can slice the entire loaf and store it for 1 week in the fridge, or in the freezer for much longer!! I like to pre-slice the entire loaf, portion it out into freezer bags, and then pull them out when I need them!! To reheat, you can microwave for 1 – 1 1/2 minutes or use the toaster for about 2 minutes!
Notes
Macros per 1 oz:
