Homemade Vegan Seitan Ham

🛒 Ingredients

• #Seitan Dough;
• 250 g vital wheat gluten.. 40 g chickpea flour (besan) — adds savoury richness
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast.. 1 tsp ground coriander.. 1 tsp ground fennel
• ½ tsp smoked paprika.. ½ tsp black pepper.. ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder.. ¼ tsp ground cloves.. ¼ tsp allspice
• #Flavourful Broth Base;
• 300 ml vegetable broth (strong, rich).. 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or brown sugar.. 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp miso paste (white or red).. 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional, for smoky ham flavour)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced.. 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• #Cooking & Glaze;
• 500 ml vegetable broth (for simmering/steaming).. 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp maple syrup.. 1 tbsp brown sugar.. 1 tsp mustard.. Whole cloves for decoration

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, and all the spices.

2. 2

   Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk vegetable broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, miso, liquid smoke, garlic, and ginger until completely smooth.

3. 3

   Combine & knead: Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir until a dough forms, then knead firmly by hand for 3–4 minutes — it will become elastic and firm. Do NOT over‑knead beyond this point or it becomes too tough. Shape into a neat oval or loaf shape.

4. 4

   Score & decorate: Use a sharp knife to cut a diamond or cross‑hatch pattern shallowly across the top. Press whole cloves into the intersections for the classic ham look.

5. 5

   Cook — Method A (Simmer): Wrap loosely in parchment paper, then tie securely with kitchen twine — leave room for slight expansion. Place in a large pot, cover with broth, and simmer gently 1 hour 30 minutes with lid on. Keep heat low — do NOT boil hard. Method B (Steam): Place in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 1 hour 30 minutes — this yields the firmest, best texture.

6. 6

   Glaze & finish: Preheat oven to 200 °C (400 °F). Remove roast from cooking liquid, place on a baking tray lined with parchment. Brush generously with the glaze mixture (soy sauce + maple syrup + sugar + mustard). Bake 10–15 minutes until deep golden and glossy.

7. 7

   Rest & slice: Let rest at least 15–20 minutes before slicing — this lets it firm up and holds shape beautifully. Slice thinly or thickly as desired.