Instant Pot Seitan
Ingredients
- 2-1/4 cups vital wheat gluten
- 1-15 oz can or 1.5 cups black beans
drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup veggie broth
or water
- 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
or Less Sodium NoSoy if soy-free
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
optional
Directions
- 1
To make this seitan, first blend your beans up until they're a paste and the skins are mostly broken down. You can do this in a blender or a food processor. Add the spices and soy sauce at the same time so all the flavor will be well distributed.
- 2
Next, add your vital wheat gluten and vegetable broth (or water). Blend or process until well combined.
- 3
Now transfer the dough to a bowl and combine it with your hands. It should be moist, but not sticky. The dough should stick to itself, not your fingers. Knead the dough for just about 10-15 seconds (overkneading can cause it to turn out rubbery) and form a log.
- 4
Instant Pot Cooking Instructions: Add a cup of water to the base of your Pressure Cooker and insert the steaming basket. Add the seitan log to the steaming basket, close the lid, set the pressure valve to "sealing" and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes. When the timer goes off, turn off your Instant Pot and let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release the rest (there won't be much left anyway)--I like to use a wooden spoon to release the pressure so my hands aren't anywhere near the escaping hot steam.
- 5
Stove Top Cooking Instructions: Follow the process above to make your seitan log, then add it to a steaming basket or steamer pot on your stove top with about 2 cups of water (you'll be cooking a bit longer). Place a lid on the pot and steam on medium high for about 1 hour, 15 minutes. How long your seitan takes will depend on the thickness of the log. Anything under 4 inches thick should not take longer than an hour and 15 minutes.
- 6
Let your seitan rest about 10 minutes before carving. It will be fully cooked at this point, so you can eat it straight up or you could add it to a stir fry or a sauce or whatever else you like!
- 7
Refrigerate leftovers up to 5 days in an airtight container (reheat in the microwave with a damp towel over it or reheat by steaming until hot over stove top). Can also freeze and thaw out, then also reheat the same way.
Instant Pot Seitan
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 24 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving hearty, savory plant-based protein that tastes remarkably like beef without all the fuss? This Instant Pot Seitan recipe delivers incredible versatility and robust flavor, making meal prep for the week ahead an absolute breeze.
This recipe cleverly harnesses the power of the Instant Pot to streamline the often-fussy seitan-making process, ensuring a consistently tender yet satisfyingly chewy texture every single time. The thoughtful blend of aromatic spices—garlic powder, onion powder, a hint of smoked paprika, and earthy dried thyme—works in harmony with the black beans and savory soy sauce to create a deeply umami, beef-like profile that truly stands out from other plant-based options.
Prepare your palate for a remarkably satisfying protein that genuinely lives up to its "beef-like" description. You'll find this seitan boasts a firm, substantial chew and a rich, savory depth that holds its own in any culinary application, readily absorbing additional flavors from sauces and marinades. Its robust texture makes it incredibly adaptable, ready to elevate everything from quick weeknight stir-fries to hearty "steak" dinners, or even thinly sliced for substantial sandwiches and wraps. The optional red pepper flakes introduce a gentle, warming heat that complements the savory notes without ever overwhelming the core flavors.
- For those avoiding soy, this recipe thoughtfully includes an option to swap reduced sodium soy sauce for Less Sodium NoSoy, ensuring it fits a variety of dietary needs.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to precisely match your desired level of spice, or feel free to omit them entirely for a completely mild result.
This incredibly versatile Instant Pot Seitan is perfectly suited for a multitude of occasions, from quick weeknight dinners and satisfying lunches to a robust centerpiece for plant-based entertaining. Slice it thinly for deli-style sandwiches, cube it for vibrant stir-fries, or sear larger pieces like a succulent plant-based steak.