Karpenko's Seitan Aka Gluten

Transform your plant-based cooking game with Karpenko's Seitan, aka Gluten—a simple yet satisfying recipe that unlocks the full potential of homemade seitan. Crafted with essential ingredients like vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and a hint of optional liquid smoke, this protein-packed meat alternative boasts a firm, chewy texture perfect for countless vegan dishes. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a slow, gentle simmer in flavorful vegetable broth, you’ll create versatile seitan that's ideal for stir-fries, sandwiches, or grilled entrees. Whether you’re new to making seitan or a seasoned pro, this recipe offers step-by-step customization and easy storage tips to keep your plant-based creations fresh and delicious. Perfect for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone exploring meat substitutes, Karpenko’s Seitan is a must-have addition to your recipe repertoire!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups Vital wheat gluten
• 3 tablespoons Nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce or tamari
• 0.5 teaspoons Liquid smoke (optional)
• 3 cups Vegetable broth
• 3 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup of water, soy sauce (or tamari), and liquid smoke (if using).

Step 3

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredient mixture and stir until a dough forms. Knead the dough with your hands for about 2-3 minutes, until it becomes firm and elastic.

Step 4

Shape the seitan dough into a log or divide it into smaller pieces, depending on how you plan to use it later.

Step 5

In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth and water. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Step 6

Carefully place the seitan pieces into the simmering liquid. Ensure that the seitan is fully submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the seitan simmer gently for 1 hour. Avoid boiling, as this can make the texture spongy.

Step 7

After an hour, remove the seitan from the pot and let it cool slightly. It’s now ready to be sliced, diced, or prepared in your favorite dish!

Step 8

Store any unused seitan in its cooking broth in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1931.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2029.0

Total Fat 15.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.1g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3854.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 115.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.6g	0%
Total Sugars 10.8g
Protein 362.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 797.0mg	0%
Iron 28.9mg	0%
Potassium 2312.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 6.6%

Protein: 70.9%

Carbs: 22.5%