Vegan Turkey

Recently my husband asked if I would make  Oil-Free Mega Seitan again. Even though I enjoy making various recipes with my Seitan recipe, I decided to try something different. Instead, I combined tofu and vital wheat gluten to make a vegan turkey breast. Since I prefer tofu and was looking for a quick and easy way to make a vegan turkey recipe, I tried to master a simple recipe with just a few ingredients. 

WHAT IS VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN?

First, let me warn my gluten-free friends! Vital wheat gluten, for instance, is not gluten-free friendly, so this recipe is not for you. 

Wheat gluten is a food made from gluten, the main protein of wheat. Washing wheat flour dough with water until all the starch granules are removed creates the wheat gluten.

When purchased, wheat-gluten looks like a type of flour in a bag. For example, I buy my vital wheat gluten on Amazon, but it is available in many grocery stores around the country. Some popular brands, for instance, are:

• Anthony's Vital Wheat Gluten 
• Bob's Red Mills
• Arrowhead Mills

Because vital wheat gluten is almost pure gluten, a little goes a long way to improving the elasticity and rise of the raw dough and the crumb and chewiness in the final loaves.

For this reason, vital wheat gluten is used as a vegan meat substitute because of its texture. As a result, combining extra-firm tofu with vital wheat gluten creates a super protein vegan 'meat.'

WHY MAKE AND EAT 'FAKE' MEAT LIKE VEGAN TURKEY?

Although I don't crave meat, as a vegan, I know many people who miss the salt brine taste and texture of meat rather than the meat itself. My husband, for example, is one such person.

From time to time, he wants a Beyond burger or a Field Roast Sausage. Even though I don't share in that craving, I do like a slice of Follow Your Heart cheese from time to time. 

So, in an attempt to avoid buying 'fake' meat, I can make my own healthier version at home. 

MAKING VEGAN TURKEY IS NOT ONLY EASY, BUT IT ALSO REQUIRES VERY FEW INGREDIENTS

Making a vegan turkey recipe, however, is easier than you think. All it takes is a few ingredients and a food processor. 

• 1 14 ounces package of extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup vital wheat gluten
• 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix (yep; it's vegan)
• ½ cup organic vegetable broth
• 1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder
• Trader Joes Everything Bagel Seasoning

HOW TO MAKE THE VEGAN TURKEY RECIPE DOUGH

First, you need to make the dough, which all takes place in a food processor. For instance, I used a large blade in my food processor.

• Use extra-firm tofu (the more firm and dry, the better)
• Press the tofu using a tofu press until drained; this is very important! You want it as dry as possible
• If you don't have a tofu press, you can dry the tofu using paper towels and a large, heavy book. 
• Then, break it into pieces into the large cup of the food processor and process until broken up and blended.

• Then, add the vital wheat gluten, onion soup mix, arrowroot powder, and vegetable broth. 

• Blend the mixture, and a dough is formed. As a result, the dough will be somewhat elastically. 

FORMING THE VEGAN TURKEY LOAF AND COOKING

Now it's time to make the loaf, season it, and cook it, not once, but twice. To make sure the vegan turkey dough is thoroughly blended, knead the dough on a flat, clean surface with your hands, forming a loaf. 

Once the vegan turkey loaf is formed into a loaf, roll in your favorite seasoning. For example, I chose to roll my vegan turkey in Everything Seasoning from Trader Joe's, because I LOVE it! But feel free to select your seasoning or none if you are avoiding salt. 

COOKING THE VEGAN TURKEY RECIPE

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Wrap the vegan turkey in aluminum foil and seal on both ends, like a candy wrapper.
• Place aluminum foil wrapped vegan turkey on a baking sheet
• Cook for 30 minutes.

• Remove the vegan turkey from the oven, and remove aluminum foil. 
• Cook the vegan turkey on the same baking sheet without the aluminum foil for an additional 30 minutes. 
• Again, remove the vegan turkey from the oven and allow it to cool completely. 

The next step, although difficult, is essential! Instead of slicing and eating, wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator overnight. However tempted you may be, wait until the next day. Then, after it has rested for the right amount of time, slice the vegan turkey. I hope you liked my Vegan Turkey Recipe. 

And, then make a turkey sandwich! 

FAQs

IF YOU HAVE A 'SANDWICH' GUY AS I DO, OR YOU LOVE SANDWICHES YOURSELF, CHECK OUT THESE AWESOME SANDWICH RECIPES

• Vegan Tempeh Reuben
• BBQ Cauliflower
• BBQ Tempeh
• Oil-Free Hummus and Tabbouleh Wrap
• Red Lentil Curry Wrap
• Crunch Wrap Supreme Recipe
• Vegan BBQ & Pulled Sweet Potato Sandwiches with Pineapple Slaw
• Vegan Curry Chickpea Sandwich Spread
• Vegan Chicken Salad
• Vegan Muffuletta Sandwich
• Tofu Banh Mi
• BBQ Jackfruit Recipe
• Vegan BLT

📖 Recipe

Vegan Turkey

Kathy Carmichael

With very few ingredients, you can make your own healthy vegan meat at home. Vegan turkey is perfect for a sandwich hot or cold or served as an entree with mashed potatoes and gravy.

4.56 from 9 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Entrees

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 102 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 14 ounces extra-firm tofu drained
• ▢ 1 cup vital wheat gluten
• ▢ 1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
• ▢ ½ cup organic vegetable broth
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon arrowroot powder
• ▢ Everything Bagel Seasoning I used Trader Joes

Instructions

 

MAKING THE VEGAN TURKEY DOUGH

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
• Use extra-firm tofu (the more firm and dry the better)
• Press the tofu using a tofu press until drained; this is very important! You want it as dry as possible
• If you don't have a tofu press, you can dry the tofu using paper towels and a large heavy book. Although this takes more time, it is important the tofu is completely drained and dry.
• Then, break it up into pieces into the large cup of the food processor and process until broken up and blended.
• Now, add Lipton soup mix, arrowroot powder, and vegetable broth
• Blend until a ball of dough forms.
• The dough will be elastically and stick.
• Lay dough on a flat clean countertop and knead the dough a little more forming a loaf type shape.
• Next, using your chosen seasoning (I used Everything Bagel Seasoning)
• Season and roll the loaf in the seasoning until the vegan turkey loaf is covered in seasoning.
• Using aluminum foil, wrap the vegan turkey loaf like a candy, sealing both ends of the aluminum foil by twisting the ends.
• Place the aluminum foil wrapped vegan turkey on a baking sheet in the center of the oven
• Cook for 30 minutes.
• Then, removed the turkey from the oven, and remove the aluminum foil.
• Put the vegan turkey back on the baking sheet (lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat)
• Cook uncovered for another 30 minutes
• The vegan turkey will almost double in size
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely

DO NOT CUT THE VEGAN TURKEY

• Instead, wrap it a second time in aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Once the vegan turkey has been refrigerated overnight, it is ready to slice with a sharp knife.
  

Notes

Does tofu turkey taste like real turkey?

 

Tofu turkey tastes remarkably similar to real Thanksgiving turkey cuts. However, it has a milder yet more savory flavor than other fake meat roasts. 

 

What other plant-based proteins can you use for vegan turkey?

 

Aside from tofu, you can use lentils, tempeh, and seitan as alternatives for your vegan turkey. 

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 15gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 496mgPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 32IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 1mg

Tried our recipe?Let us know how it was!

Kathy Carmichael

Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂

www.kathysvegankitchen.com/about-me/