Vegan Seitan Doner Kebab Meat

This vegan doner kebab is seriously a game changer! It is bold in flavor, and have the perfect chewy texture that closely resembles that of the real deal. Like my vegan roast beef and andouille sausages, it is made from the most popular meat substitute of all times - seitan.

💚Why you will love this recipe

• Tender, succulent and perfectly spiced - Unlike beans and tofu, the texture of seitan actually resembles that of meat! Various herbs, spices and aromatics are also added to give this vegan doner kebab tons of flavor.
• Easy and fuss-free - All you have to do is make and knead the seitan dough, then bake until it is cooked. This recipe only calls for simple ingredients that are easily accessible.
• A family favorite that is incredibly versatile - This seitan doner kebab will feed both vegans and omnivores! You can also serve it in sandwiches, with rice, on salads or however you like.
• Can be made ahead - You can make it ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it for later use. Or, crave and divide it up into individual portions as part of your meal prep!

🤔What exactly is doner kebab

You probably have seen or walk past a large cut of meat rotating round and round on a giant skewer. That is what is known as doner kebab.

Originated from Turkey, this meat dish is commonly made from beef and lamb, although sometimes poultry, especially chicken is used. The meat is first marinade in various herbs and spices, before cooking it on the rotisserie.

Doner meat is usually craved thinly, then served in pitas or flatbreads along with some freshly sliced veggies to make sandwiches.

In this vegan version, we will be using seitan, a meat substitute made from vital wheat gluten, in place of meat. It has the flavors and texture of the regular ones, and even meat-eaters will be impressed!

🧅What you will need

📃Notes/substitutions

• Vital wheat gluten - DO NOT substitute wheat gluten with other kinds of flour, it simply will not work! You can find it in most well-stocked groceries, but I usually get my wheat gluten online.
• Tomato paste - To add color to this vegan doner meat. Don't worry, you can barely taste it!
• Soy sauce - Tamari or shoyu can be used in place.
• Tofu - Use extra firm tofu that has been drained and pressed beforehand. I usually use a tofu press, but you can do it manually by stacking something heavy on top. For a more detailed instructions, I recommend checking out this post on how to press tofu.

🔪How to make

Here is a quick rundown of the process of making seitan doner kebab. The full detailed recipe will be in the recipe card below.

Start by sauteing onion until translucent, then add in garlic and fry for another minute or so. Set aside.

In a food processor, place in all ingredients (including cooked onion and garlic) except vital wheat gluten. Blend until smooth.

Add in wheat gluten and pulse until everything is well combined.

Transfer dough to a wet surface and knead for 2-3 minutes. Shape dough into a log.

Wrap it in foil and twist the ends to seal.

Bake for an hour in an oven preheated to 200C/400F, flipping it halfway through.

Let it sit for at least an hour before slicing. Optionally, you can pan-fry shaved vegan doner to lightly brown it before serving.

✔Helpful tips

• Use a kitchen scale to weigh out ingredients for the best results. If using measuring cups, follow the spoon and level method. Avoid scooping flour directly from bag, or pack flour into your measuring cups.
• Avoid kneading dough for too long! The more the gluten develop, the tougher your seitan will be.
• If you are uncomfortable with aluminum foil touching your food, wrap on a layer of parchment paper first, before proceeding with wrapping dough in foil.
• Let cooked vegan doner kebab cool for at least an hour before slicing. The texture will be even better if you refrigerate it overnight! When ready to serve, slice it up thinly and pan-fry them before using.
• Use a sharp knife to shave your meat.

🥙How to serve

This most common way to enjoy seitan kebab is in sandwiches, or along with other side dishes and rice.

To make kebab sandwiches

• Bread of choice - usually pita or flatbreads are used. You can also opt for tortillas, like this chickpea flour tortillas or wraps!
• Fresh veggies - shredded lettuce, tomato slices, onion, cucumber, olives are some great choice that pairs beautifully with this vegan doner kebab.
• Sauces - Traditionally, tahini dressing or tzatziki sauce are used, but westernized version often includes condiments like mayo and ketchup.
• Sides - Normal fries, sweet potato fries, Turkish Shephard salad

Other serving ideas

• To make kebab plate/platter - Pair vegan doner kebab with sliced veggies, hummus, warmed pita, and some cooked basmati rice. For a low carb version, omit pita and rice, and add more veggies!
• As a topping for salads - Gives salads a nice boost of protein. You can serve it with some chopped salad. For a heartier meal, serve it with this protein pasta salad or vegan rice salad.
• Use it as a topping for pizzas!

❄Storing suggestions

Refrigerating - You can either refrigerate the whole log, or slice of it. Do keep it in an air tight container to prevent your seitan kebab from drying out.

Freezing - You can also either freeze the whole thing, or carve this vegan doner kebab before freezing. If freezing carved meat, portion it out into individual portions using storage containers, so you will be only taking out what you need.

Reheating - If reheating the whole log of seitan doner kebab, let it thaw completely either in the fridge overnight, or on the countertop for a few hours. Slice it thinly and pan-fry until golden.

To heat up carved meat, I recommend using the microwave to prevent them from drying out further.

❔Commonly asked questions

🍽More vegan meat substitute

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