Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (2024)

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Are you looking for a recipe to make a delicious vegan roast beef? Then you're in the right place! This vegan roast beef is an absolute delight! Serve it with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables and you'll have a delicious lunch/dinner to enjoy!

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (2)

Creating this recipe took me a lot of attempts and a lot of patience but it was totally worth it! This roast beef is juicy, tender, easy to make and requires only a handful of ingredients!

If you like this recipe you might like these meat alternatives too: try out the best vegan chicken, or these vegan spare ribs. If you need something quick take a look at these delicious chickpea cutlets or these super crispy chickpea nuggets.

Before you jump into the kitchen to make it, I suggest you read this blog post carefully. The recipe is simple but there are some steps and tricks to take into account.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Vital wheat gluten
  • Instructions
  • Substitutions
  • Equipment
  • Side dish
  • Store
  • FAQ
  • More Vegan Meat Substitutes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Reviews
Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (3)

Ingredients

To make this seitan roast beef all you need are some time and the following ingredients:

  • vital wheat gluten
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • smoked paprika
  • fresh beetroot
  • mustard
  • maple syrup
  • tahini
  • white wine
  • vegetable broth
  • onion
  • garlic cloves
  • carrot
  • vegetable oil for frying

See the recipe card at the bottom of this blog-post for the quantities.

Vital wheat gluten

One of the main ingredients of this roast is vital wheat gluten. As I already explained in this recipe, vital wheat gluten is a powder made of gluten and very little starch.

To make it, wheat flour is mixed with water in order to create a dough. The hydration of flour activates the gluten protein. The dough is then washed to remove everything but gluten which is then dried and ground back into a powder. This powder is what we call "vital wheat gluten".

Vital wheat gluten is used in the plant based cuisine to make seitan, a meat substitute. That's because gluten has an elastic consistency similar to the one of meat. Because it has this unique characteristic, it's impossible to replace it with another ingredient.

Instructions

This is a visual step by step explanation of how to make this vegan roast.

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (4)

To make the vegan roast add vital wheat gluten, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a food processor and mix briefly.

Add beetroot, mustard and tahini into a blender and pulse until you get a lump-free mixture. Add this mixture to the dry mixture in the food-processor and pulse for a few seconds until a dough forms.

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (5)

Remove the dough from the food-processor and knead it for 3-4 minutes.

As you knead the dough you will see that it will become stiffer. After a few minutes, form the dough into a cylinder.

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (6)

Once the roast is formed, heat abundant oil in a large pan, brush the roast with mustard and when the oil is hot, seal it for a few minutes on every side.

Next, add in white wine, broth and the vegetables and simmer the roast for 90 minutes on low heat with the lid of the pan half closed. Flip the roast every 30 minutes so that it cooks evenly on all sides.

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (7)

Once cooked, heat some vegetable oil in a pan over high heat and brown the roast on all sides.

Finally, slice it thinly and serve it right away.

Hint: The roast tastes even better if you make it the day before. Let it rest in the refrigerator overnight, so it will become even more meaty and juicy. The next day you can reheat it in the oven at 180 °C (360 °F) for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Substitutions

If you need to substitute ingredients, below I will explain which ingredients are replaceable and how to substitute them so that the flavor of the roast does not change.

  • Vital wheat gluten - as explained above it's not replaceable because it has unique characteristics that allow it to give the roast a meat-like texture.
  • Maple syrup - use agave syrup instead.
  • Tahini - can be replaced with peanut butter or olive oil.

Equipment

To make this seitan recipe you only need the following equipment:

  • food-processor
  • blender
  • large pot.
Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (8)

Side dish

You can serve the roast with whole baked cauliflower, baked potatoes, sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes or even a risotto alla Milanese.

If you have any leftovers I recommend slicing the roast extra thin and using it to stuff sandwiches.

Store

You can store the roast in the fridge or in the freezer. This is how to do it:

  • Fridge: Place the roast in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 °C (340 °F) before serving.
  • Freezer: Place the roast in an airtight container or into a freezer bag and store for up to 1 month. Allow to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Reheat in the oven for 20 minutes at 180 °C (340 °F) before serving.
Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (9)

FAQ

What is vegan roast beef made of?

Most vegan roast beef is made using vital wheat gluten, beans or chickpeas, spices, olive oil and beetroot (for the color).

What is plant based roast?

A vegan roast is a plant-based substitute of the traditional roast. It's made using ingredients such as vital wheat gluten, beans, spices, tahini, and beetroot. It has the same texture and flavor as the traditional roast but is made without animal ingredients.

Who should not eat seitan?

Because seitan is made of gluten any person that is gluten intolerant should avoid consuming it.

What is vegan roast made of?

It's made of ingredients such as vital wheat gluten, beans, tahini, beetroot, and spices.

More Vegan Meat Substitutes

  • Vegan Mushroom Wellington
  • How To Make Vegan Chicken
  • Extra Juicy Vegan Ribs (made of Seitan)
  • Vegan Chickpea Cutlets

📖 Recipe

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (14)

Vegan Seitan Roast Beef

Carlo Cao

This vegan Seitan Roast Beef is a perfect main course to serve with mashed potatoes and baked vegetables. Served the next day it becomes even more delicious as the texture becomes more "meaty".

4.89 from 183 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 35 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time 2 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • food-processor

Ingredients

  • 250 g vital wheat gluten (9 oz)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 150 g raw beetroot ((5½ oz)) pureed with 250 ml (1 cup) water
  • 5 tablespoons mustard
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons tahini or peanut butter
  • 300 ml white wine (1 ½ cups)
  • 250 ml vegetable broth (1 cup)
  • 1 onion halved
  • 1 carrot peeled and chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 springs rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons thyme
  • oil for frying

Instructions

  • Put the wheat gluten and all the spices up to and including salt in a food processor and mix briefly.

  • Add the beetroot, 1 tablespoon of mustard, tahini and maple syrup and blend until a homogeneous dough is formed.

  • Knead the dough for 3-4 minutes and then form a roast.

  • Heat a large frying pan with a little oil, brush the roast with the remaining mustard and fry briefly on all sides. Add white wine, broth, onion, carrots, garlic cloves, rosemary and thyme and simmer on low heat with the lid half closed for 90 minutes. Add a little broth from time to time if necessary and flip the roast 2-3 times.

  • Once the roast is cooked, heat a large frying pan with a little oil and fry the roast on all sides for 3 minutes until it forms a crust.

  • Blend the vegetables and the remaining liquid and use as gravy.**

  • Cut the roast into thin slices and serve immediately.

  • If you want to achieve a "meatier" texture, you can let the roast rest in the fridge for one night and reheat it briefly in the oven the next day.

Notes

** if the sauce is a little bland add a dash of vegan worcestershire sauce (soy sauce works too) and/or 1 teaspoon of tomato paste. If you have it, you can also add a teaspoon of nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 34gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.002gSodium: 1127mgPotassium: 312mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2098IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 106mgIron: 3mg

Keyword roast, roastbeef, seitan

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Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (15)

Reader Interactions

Comments

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  1. George says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (16)
    My partner and I are on very restricted diets that are very different from each other so we cooked the food for our reception and I made this, It was perfect. Vegan and non vegan friends and family loved it.

    Reply

  2. Brooke says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (17)
    I followed the instructions exactly. My texture was a bit off, because when I went to turn the roast, it fell apart. Put it in the fridge and it tasted great the next day. The texture was better, but still not right. I would appreciate more detailed instructions regarding how long to knead the gluten, & the amount of VWG in cups. Per conversion, I used 1 3/4c VWG. Also, I used 3 small beetroot “balls” and perhaps that was off.
    Hopefully I’ll get clarification so I can make this again. It tasted great.

    Reply

  3. Dano says

    How do I prevent it from going gelatinous? I couldn't stop it from being soft and doughy.

    Reply

    • Dano says

      A couple hours later, it is starting to firm up. Havent cut into it yet.

      Reply

      • Dano says

        Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (18)
        WOW, THIS TASTED SO GOOD! No vital wheat gluten after taste. This is the first time I've made VWG without it being overly gummy (was always more like Filipino babingka every time I made it). The crust on the outside was so tasty. Texture inside was the best I've made so far.

        YOU are some sort of culinary genius! VERY, VERY GOOD

      • Carlo says

        Hi Dano! I'm so happy you liked it! Thank you for the feedback! X Carlo

  4. Susan says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (19)
    I made this twice, even though I read most of the reviews, I made the mistake of adding all the mustard into the wheat gluten. (Wondering if you can adjust your ingredients to reflect 1 Tablespoons, then 4 Tablespoons), This made a ver spongy loaf. Someone else did the same thing but said it tasted like corn beef. Mine didn’t. It tasted like mustard & beets. The second time I made this, I cut down on the mustard & the beets. I used the 1 T in the WWG, but only used about 1 T to smear over the roast. I also cut the beet down to about 120 grams. I also cut down on the wine to 1 cup & increased the broth by a half a cup. I also added fake beef bouillon cube. This roast turned out beautifully! You really have to think bert to taste it. Thank you so much for a great recipe.

    Reply

    • Brooke says

      Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (20)
      I followed the instructions exactly. My texture was a bit off, because when I went to turn the roast, it fell apart. Put it in the fridge and it tasted great the next day. The texture was better, but still not right. I would appreciate more detailed instructions regarding how long to knead the gluten, & the amount of VWG in cups. Per conversion, I used 1 3/4c VWG. Also, I used 3 small beetroot “balls” and perhaps that was off.
      Hopefully I’ll get clarification so I can make this again. It tasted great.

      Reply

      • Carlo says

        Hi Brooke, I really suggest you use grams and not cups to measure the ingredients because cups are just not as reliable as grams are. That said, it sounds like you added too much liquid, the dough should feel firm when you knead it. If it falls apart add a little more VWG until it's firm. Be aware that the roast firms up once cooked and cooled down so do not add too much WVG or you'll end up with a rock :D. I hope this helps, X Carlo

  5. Julia says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (21)
    I can't believe I just made something this tasty!!! Absolutely mind blowing. Thank you!

    Reply

  6. Shannon says

    Oh my…this is absolutely excellent. I can’t even believe I made this masterpiece. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the fantastic recipe.

    Reply

  7. Barney Jones says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (22)
    Loved this recipe! I made it (without mustard, I can't stand the taste in anything) on Saturday, then left it to rest in the fridge overnight, to have for a Sunday roast dinner. I reheated it at 160 degrees in the air-fryer for about 15 minutes. It didn't dry out too much at all, and tasted amazing. I must admit that over Saturday and Sunday, I was slicing off thin pieces to eat! Will definitely may again. Oh and after blending the braising liquid and veg, then heating it up with cornflour slurry, it made a delicious, rich and flavoursome gravy. For the liquid, I used the Oxo meat-free beef flavour stock cubes and omitted the wine, just added more stock, then topped up with water as needed.

    Reply

  8. Zerubbabel says

    Can I cook/steam this recipe in my instant pot?

    Reply

  9. Laura says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (23)
    Loved it, my 6 year old asks for it every time with his roast dinner now.

    Reply

  10. Teen says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (24)
    Forgot to rate this brilliant recipe! Absolutely 5* rating. Please make sure you read all the tips, they’re very useful.

    Reply

  11. Teen says

    My belly is now bulging after making a dinner with this recipe for New Years Eve. I must admit mine didn’t look as good as yours, but it was definitely tasty. Lovely texture - which I know is a controversial thing to say but I do miss a meaty texture….now I’ve said it, I’m grossed out lol! Your recipes are a delight and this one was not as complicated as I’d expect it to be. Thank you.

    Reply

  12. julie says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (25)
    Hi there! I should have done what you said! That is, read the complete blog before I started. I had difficulty finding the vital wheat gluten in my area (MA-USA) and store personnel were not very helpful. I ended up with prepared seitan and not VWG. Starting with a very wet spongy product only started my debacle. I'll spare you any more details but needless to say- I ended up with something very different. I am rather new to vegan cooking so suffice to say, it was all on me! I hope to try this again with the proper ingredients.

    Reply

    • Tanya says

      If you didn't use the proper ingredients, you shouldn't give the recipe a poor rating. It really affects the overall rating if there are not many ratings, and hurts the content creator.

      Reply

  13. JEAN NELSON says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (26)
    I posted a comment a couple of weeks ago but it didn't go through. Thank you for adding the grams and ounces for the beetroot. I overcooked mine because I made half a recipe and cooked the full time which ended up pretty tough. One
    thing I asked in my original review was for what the temperature should be when the roast is done. That would have helped me avoid the over cooking.
    Your roast looks so luscious and amazing and I hope to try it again with better
    results. Thank you.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Jean, I suggest you follow the cooking time given in the recipe for best results. I'll check the temperature next time I make it. X, Carlo

      Reply

  14. Kevin says

    Can you make without the beetroot?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Kevin, You can but the color will be different. I'd also add a dash of water if you skip the beetroot. X Carlo

      Reply

  15. Janne P Swearengen says

    Carlo, what kind of mustard should be used? Dry, Yellow, Dijon??

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Janne, I used yellow mustard. Best, Carlo

      Reply

      • Janne P Swearengen says

        Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (27)
        I made this two days ago and I must say it is a righteous roast. A couple of things to note. I always use both grams and oz to make sure the best portion of the ingredient is used. I had a fairly significant difference in the grams and ounces of the VWG (I use Anthony's) and the beet root, again with a fairly significant difference in both the VWG and the beet root in grams/ounces. I opted for the ounces on both...next time, I will opt for the grams and see what, if any difference, it makes. I also use a tahini that's been around for a while and wasn't as malleable as 'fresh'. The fact that I could actually taste the beet in the finished product leads me to think it was too intense, so the grams will be used the next time. When I make it again, I will use the grams of beets rather than ounces.
        I used dijon mustard, but will opt for the yellow mustard nest time as well.
        If I wish to use my IP, what settings and time should be used. I let the cooked roast rest overnight in the fridge and the consistency was excellent. Very meaty. For me, it is imperative to read the directions a couple of times ahead AND get your 'mise en place' prior to going forward.
        On another note, can VWG be substituted for the washed flour in some of your other recipes?

      • carlocao says

        Hi Janne, I'm so happy you like the roast! Regarding the measurements: grams is way more accurate than oz, so I'd definitely stick to grams if you can. Also, I don't recommend using the flour washing method for this one because it's totally gonna change the texture of the roast. Hugs, Carlo

  16. Mona says

    Hi, I would love to make this for our Christmas dinner, but I cannot stand the taste of beets. Is there a way to replace the beet?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Mona, the roast won't taste at all like beet so I'd suggest you use it. Otherwise leave it out and add more water. Best, Carlo

      Reply

  17. pam says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (28)
    Great, easy recipe. I used a scoop of beetroot powder, and it did impart a pretty color. I also used red wine because I did not have any white, it's good, I think the white might have been better. I nibbled on it and now it is resting in the fridge, Tomorrow, i endeavor to chunk it and put it in a classic stew for fun. Wish me luck!

    Reply

  18. Spencer Gooch says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (29)
    Top notch recipe! I made this for a Friendsgiving because I wanted to bring something that would really impress! Mission accomplished! This recipe is easy to make, and it looks awesome when it’s done.

    Awesome Parts:
    1. No special expertise or equipment needed beyond a food processor.
    2. Ready to serve when you make it. But. At the end of the recipe it says you can refrigerator overnight to get a meatier texture. I ended up refrigerating it for 2 nights and then heating up in the air-fryer the next day. The texture was meaty, but not dense which is a real accomplishment.
    3. Like I said, looks awesome.

    For Next Time:
    1. I am going to double the mustard in the recipe to really add a bit more impact.
    2. As the roast is frying, I am going to put seasoning on each side so that it gets fried into the crust.

    This recipe rules.

    Reply

  19. Sarah says

    Hi,
    I have this cooking in the oven right now and it smells amazing. I did have an issue where the dough was so sticky and wet that I really couldn't knead it. Is this normal? How dry should the dough be? I added more vital wheat gluten to compensate, but am afraid that it may have altered the texture. I doubled checked my measurements and everything was spot on, so not sure what caused this issue.

    Any help is appreciated and thanks so much for the recipe! Looking forward to tasting tomorrow for Thanksgiving. 🙂

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Dear Sarah, you definitely did the right thing. the dough should not be sticky once you start kneading. To fix a wet dough you can simply add more vital wheat gluten. Let me know how it turned out! Best, Carlo

      Reply

  20. Donna says

    As beet roots vary so much in size, it would be quite helpful to add the weight for that ingredient. Thanks for sharing your fabulous recipes!

    Reply

    • JEAN says

      I too would like to know what a small beetroot means. In an earlier post you answered: carlocao says

      August 07, 2021 at 9:43 pm

      Hi Meike, Mine was an estimation 🙂 I'd say a beet with the weight between 250-350 grams should do the job. The beet is added for the color, so the exact amount is not really too important. I hope this helps 🙂

      That is between 2 and 2-1/2 cups of beetroot which is way more than a small beetroot. In another post you suggested that one person who was having trouble might have been caused by too much beetroot.
      Please give us the actual amount of beetroot you used.

      Reply

  21. Robbie says

    This looks fantastic, thanks for the recipe!
    Do you think I could steam it in the instant pot instead of simmering?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Robbie, I've personally never tried but I don't see why it wouldn't work. It's definitely worth a try. Please let me know how it turns out so that I can update the recipe with this option 🙂

      Reply

      • Yash says

        Hi Carlocao, I’m so sorry to reply to another persons comment, however I did not see a way to add a comment. Is there a replacement for the white wine for people who do not consume alcohol? My apologies for the awkward way of asking again!

      • carlocao says

        Hi Yash, you can skip it and add more broth. X Carlo

  22. Tina McMayo says

    My husband found the recipe and asked me to make it. I made it today. It was Amazing! Definitely a keeper. Thank you so much.

    Reply

  23. Sumaya says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (30)
    Excelente!

    Reply

  24. graliontorile says

    hello!,I like your writing very much! share we keep up a correspondence more approximately your post on AOL? I require an expert in this space to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Taking a look ahead to look you.

    Reply

  25. Suzi says

    Hi. I’m trying this in a couple of days, my vegan nephew also has but allergies so using oil instead of peanut butter. I also have elder Mother who can’t eat Garlic, can you please suggest an alternative? I was thinking mushroom paste???? But not sure?!?!

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Suzi, oil instaed of butter will work perfectly, I do it as well when I run out of it. You can simply skip the garlic if you don't want it. X Carlo

      Reply

  26. Kelly says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (31)
    I've tried making seitan-based meats with wheat gluten before but have never gotten the texture right until now! This recipe was easy to follow and it came out perfectly! I did make a small mistake and added all the mustard to the dough instead of reserving some for the coating. I added a bit more wheat gluten to compensate for the extra moisture. With all that mustard in it, it tasted more like corned beef and was still delicious. I used red wine instead of white as I preferred that with "beefy" flavours. It makes quite a bit (I'm the only vegetarian in my household) so I appreciated the tips for freezing. Thank you for such a great recipe!

    Reply

  27. Arna says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (32)
    Thank you so much for this recipe, wonderful texture and flavour, hands down best seitan I have ever had. I made gravy with the left over broth and vegetables like you suggested, which saved a lot of time and was very tasty. I think I will now be making this recipe every holiday 😉

    Reply

  28. Marnel says

    This looks so good! I plan to try it very soon, but I have a question about the beet root. If I have beetroot powder, can I use that instead will it affect the recipe? If I can substitute, would I use the same amount in the recipe or do I need to change the amount? Thanks so much for your advice and for the recipe!

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Dear Marnel,

      Beetroot powder is a totally different ingredient so yes it will change the recipe. I recommend to use a raw beetroot 🙂 X Carlo

      Reply

  29. Hairstyles says

    Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Very useful info particularly the closing section 🙂 I maintain such info much. I used to be seeking this certain info for a long time. Thanks and good luck.

    Reply

  30. laura says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (33)
    this recipe turned out great!! it was much simpler than expected, even with the long cook time because i could just go do something else. tasty, moist, perfect texture!!

    Reply

  31. Julie says

    Looks delicious!
    What kind of prepared mustard did you use? They vary so much.
    English mustard is super crazy hot and powerful like Chinese mustard.
    Dijon mustard is medium hot.
    Yellow mustard is milder.
    Grainy mustard is milder.

    If not using wine for the braising liquid would you add a bit of vinegar and more broth?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Julie, I used a medium strong one 🙂 Best, Carlo

      Reply

  32. Amanda says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (34)
    Deliciously juicy and great texture. Thank you very much for the recipe, Carlo.
    We had trouble forming the dough into the nice shape of a loaf -- turned out pretty ugly, tasty though it was. Any tips on making it cooperate?

    Reply

  33. Alisha says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (35)
    Fun fact: if you use canned pickled beets because you are too impatient to wait for your husband to get home from the store the sweetness makes it smell and taste like the most Midwestern meatloaf you ever made 😂 going to try again with fresh beets, but still absolutely not disappointed. Great recipe!

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Dear Alisha, I feel you haha! The beetroot should really be raw for the roast to get the perfect "bloody" look. Let me know how it turns out next time 🙂 best, Carlo

      Reply

  34. Michaela says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (36)
    Made twice over the Christmas period, never made seitan before so wasn’t sure how I’d fare but this recipe is both simple and extremely tasty, you just need some time. First round I made the day before and reheated, second time I made day of and ate immediately, both really good and my meat eating friends/family all approved too (including my Dad whose default position is to disapprove of anything vegan so it really is that good!!) Absolutely recommend anyone who is considering this recipe to give it a whirl.
    Thank you very much Carlo for posting.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Michaela, thank you so much for your feedback, I'm so happy you liked it! Hugs, Carlo

      Reply

  35. Mary says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (37)
    I am so glad I found this recipe. I have tried loads of recipes for seitan.
    The difference with this one was the texture. It’s so like meat but not chewy. This is going to be the only recipe I use now. I didn’t have any beetroot but thought I would try. yummy. I’m still going to try with the beetroot too. Thank you

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Dear Mary, I'm so happy you liked my recipe! Thank you for your lovely feedback! Hugs, Carlo

      Reply

  36. Kitt says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (38)
    This is bubbling away now: can't wait to taste it tomorrow! When resting it in the fridge overnight, do you recommend cutting into slices before it goes into the fridge or after it's reheated the next day? Thanks for the great recipe! (I just tasted the broth and it's so so good- I used some vegan beef stock as well as veggie stock and it's fabulous).

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Dear Kitt, I hope you liked the roast! I would not slice it before reheating it or it might not be as juicy. I hope this helps, Carlo

      Reply

  37. Michelle says

    Making this right now for tomorrow's Christmas dinner. I am having some problems. When roasting the dough on all sides, it brakes when I flip it. Any tips? And I just added the broth, oh boy. It almost completely disolved in the broth. What did I do wrong?

    Reply

    • Carlo says

      Hi Michelle, it sounds like you haven‘t kneaded the dough properly. You have to kneat it until the dough gets firm. The more you knead it the stronger the gluten network of your roast will get. It should definitely not dissolve in the broth. I hope this helps. best, Carlo

      Reply

    • Danyel says

      I made this tonight and although the beetroot made it red prior to cooking it still came out yellow/orange. It also tasted like boiled bread. I added extra broth, and vegetables. I kneaded for 4 mins. Cooked in a Dutch oven on the stove top. Any recommendations for what I did wrong?

      Reply

      • carlocao says

        Hi Danyel, from what you describe I'd say that you cooked your roast either in too much broth, at a too high temperature or too long and that's why the roast is spongy (or as you described it "tasted like boiled bread"). That's also probably why the color of the beetroot has completely disappeared (the longer you cook the roast the less the roast will be red). Another thing that comes to my mind is that you might have used a too large beetroot which ended up adding too much misture to your roast. The dough has to be compact and at the end of the cooking process the texture should become firm. I hope this helps, best Carlo

  38. Hanna says

    Hi,
    Is it possible to make this with seitan instead of the wheat gluten?

    Reply

    • Carlo says

      Hi, to make seitan you need to use vital wheat gluten. Otherwise it‘s not seitan 🙂 best, Carlo

      Reply

  39. CJ says

    I’m going to make this for Christmas!! It looks incredible! Do you think this would make for a good beef Wellington? I’ve tried many vegan beef Wellington recipes and they all have a “burger” like texture which I’m not loving so this looks like it may be what I’ve looking for! Thank you for sharing this masterpiece!

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi CJ, I actually had in mind to make a Wellington out of this recipe (it's going to be one of the first recipes I'm gonna post next year). Unfortunately I haven't had enough time for this. That said, I'd definitely bake the roast for about 25 minutes before making the wellington so that when the pastry is ready the inner part of the roast is fully baked as well. I hope this helps, let me know how it turns out. Best, Carlo

      Reply

  40. Sarah says

    How long and at what temperature do you recommend reheating it after a night in the fridge? 🙂

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Sarah, it really depends on how much roast is left but I usually reheat it at 180 °C (360 °F) for about 20 minutes. I hope this helps, Carlo

      Reply

  41. Philip says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (39)
    Hello, thank you for posting this recipe. I am going to use it as a basis for my Christmas roast. I've done various nut loaves etc over the years but they are expensive and complicated. I've never tried doing a roast on a seitan basis, although I have made seitan Hamburgers etc. I will add sage because sage is the taste of Christmas for me.

    Reply

  42. Pamela says

    Hi, what would you recommend substituting the what gluten for ti make if gluten-free?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Pamela, unfortunately you cannot skip the vital wheat gluten powder as the roast's texture depends on it. Best, Carlo

      Reply

  43. Frances De Lancey says

    Can I make this in the oven? Or mix it with beyond beef?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi dear, you could totally cook it in the oven. I'd use a cast iron pan with the lid on. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (360 °F) and bake it for approximately 90 minutes. Regarding beyond beef: I've never tried so I cannot really help you with this 🙁

      Reply

  44. Leah says

    hi there! I'm just wondering where the maple syrup goes?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Leah, I just updated the recipe to make it clear. Maple syrup goes into the dough. I hope this helps. XX, Carlo

      Reply

  45. Louise says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (40)
    I wanted to make myself a substitute for prime rib for a dinner party. This was a great substitute! I was afraid it would be bouncy but it wasn't. The others eating beef were intrigued. I was happy eating my faux meat. One thing with the recipe's instructions that could be clarified is where the maple syrup goes. Thanks for this tasty sub!

    Reply

  46. Jessica says

    Must the beet be boiled (cooked) before adding to food processor?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Jessica, no it doesn't 🙂

      Reply

  47. Meike Hoffmanns says

    Hi Carlo, I‘m making your Roastbeef. In the comments you wrote it‘s 400g are beet. That is is a beet like a little melon. I thought a little melon is as big as a fist or smaller? I‘m not quite sure how to go on? Thank you and I love your Rezepte.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Meike, Mine was an estimation 🙂 I'd say a beet with the weight between 250-350 grams should do the job. The beet is added for the color, so the exact amount is not really too important. I hope this helps 🙂

      Reply

  48. Chevy Abecassis says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (41)
    Loved it! I didn’t have a non stick pan so I didn’t “brown it”, it tasted like a slow cooked roast beef. Very tender and really reminds me of the real thing. 9/10 🙂

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Chevy, thank you so much for your review! I'm so glad you loved it!

      Reply

  49. Maxine S says

    Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (42)
    I would make it again. It is meaty and tasty. Even better when bbqued.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Maxime, thank you so much for your feedback! I'm so happy you liked it!

      Reply

  50. Eric says

    Can't wait to try this! What kind of mustard do you recommend using?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Eric, I like to use a spicy/strong one but ny mustard will do the work. I hope this helps!

      Reply

      • Eric says

        Thanks for the quick reply! I’m making this for dinner tonight 😁

      • carlocao says

        Please let me know how it turns out 🙂 I hope you'll love it!

  51. Barb says

    I am looking forward to trying this recipe. Is there a reason for white wine? Can red be used as well? What is the approximate diameter of the beet? Thank you.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Barb, Whine gives a nice taste to the sauce. You can use 400 g (14 oz) of raw beet. I don't know the exact diameter of the beet, but I hope this helps you.

      Reply

      • Barb says

        Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (43)
        It came out pretty good. Blending the braising vegetables to make a sauce was brilliant.

      • carlocao says

        Hi Barb, I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for your feedback!

  52. Barb says

    Can I use red wine instead of white? Asking because that is what we have right now.

    Can you suggest a ddiameter for the beet? I plan to try this, this week. Thanks.

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi dear, so you can definitely swap white whine with red wine, it will just change the color and flavor of the sauce. Regarding the beetroot, I can't tell you the diameter but you'll be fine with 2 cups of raw beetroot. I hope this helps!

      Reply

  53. Elizabeth says

    Excellent and easy.
    One tip: draw line to separate dry, wet and marinade ingredients.
    I mistakenly started adding marinade wine to beets. No big deal. Was able to take most out.it did give a more wine flavor to the meat!

    Reply

  54. Myrna says

    Sounds delicious! Is the beet raw or cooked? Also, as far as the simmering step, it seems there is not enough liquid to do a true simmer with the roast covered in liquid. Wondering if this is more like a braise, with the roast only partially covered with liquid. Can you please clarify? Thx

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Myrna! The beetroot should be raw in order to get a nice color of the roast beef. Regarding the broth, the roast should only be partially covered with broth. I hope this helps! Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply

  55. Christine says

    Can I use beer root powder?

    Reply

    • carlocao says

      Hi Christine, you can definitely try but I'm unsure about the color your vegan roast will have at the end. Fresh beetroot is the best option (colorwise). I hope this helps.

      Best,

      Carlo

      Reply

    • Mathieu says

      heyy this roast looks delicious but is there any alternative to wheat gluten? (I don't know where to find this in France hahah) thank you

      Reply

      • Sara says

        Bonjour Mathieu, vous pouvez facilement trouver du gluten de blé en magasin bio, marque Celnat ou Moulin des Moines par exemple ! 🙂

      • carlocao says

        Dear Mathieu, the wheat gluten is essential for this recipe as it's what gives a "meaty" texture to the roast. I'm sure you can find it online even in France. I hope this helps you. Hugs, Carlo

      • David Morehead says

        Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (44)
        This recipe looks great. I can't wait to try it when I am back home on vacation. (I work on a cruise ship so no cooking until I get home)

        Thank you for your website and for answering all the questions here on your website. You are very patient and helpful.

  56. Ash says

    A what stage do you let it rest in the fridge ?

    Reply

    • Carlo Cao says

      Hi Ash,

      After you’ve cooked it. You can let it rest overnight and reheat it the day after.

      Reply

Vegan Roast Beef (Easy Seitan Recipe) - Carlo Cao (2024)

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