Vegan Savoury Meatballs (Gehaktballetjes)

🛒 Ingredients

• #Meatball Base;
• 250 g seitan mince OR 1 cup dried soy mince (rehydrated and squeezed very dry)
• ½ cup cooked brown lentils, mashed.. ½ cup rolled oats (blended into coarse flour)
• 1 small onion, very finely diced or grated.. 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chickpea flour.. 3 tbsp soy sauce or tamari.. 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp dried thyme.. ½ tsp dried sage.. ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp black pepper.. ¼ tsp ground cloves.. 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2–3 tbsp vegetable broth (only if needed to bind)
• #Gravy & Cooking;
• 2 tbsp olive oil.. 1 tbsp all-purpose flour.. 300 ml rich vegetable broth.. 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp maple syrup.. ½ tsp mustard.. Pinch of nutmeg and pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Make the base: In a large bowl, combine the seitan/soy mince, mashed lentils, and oat flour. Add grated onion, garlic, chickpea flour, soy sauce, maple syrup, vinegar, and all the spices. Mix thoroughly with your hands — squeeze and knead well so everything binds together. The mixture should hold firmly when squeezed; add a little broth only if too dry.

2. 2

   Shape: Roll into smooth, round balls (about the size of a walnut). Wet your hands slightly so the mixture doesn’t stick. Place on a plate and chill in the fridge for 15–20 minutes — this helps them firm up and hold shape while cooking.

3. 3

   Brown the meatballs: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook gently for 8–10 minutes, turning often, until golden brown all over. Remove from the pan and set aside.

4. 4

   Make the gravy: In the same pan, sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute until bubbly. Gradually pour in the vegetable broth while stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add soy sauce, maple syrup, mustard, nutmeg, and pepper. Simmer until smooth and thickened.

5. 5

   Simmer together: Return the meatballs to the pan. Spoon gravy over them, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently 8–10 minutes so they absorb the flavour and firm up beautifully. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or sweetness.

6. 6

   Serve: Enjoy hot — delicious with creamy mash, rice, or crusty bread!