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My Vegan Turkey Roast is always a hit with guests during the holidays! It's tender, easy to slice, golden and crispy on the outside, with a savory mix of rosemary and thyme. The best part? You can prep it ahead of time, making Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner a breeze!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to perfect my vegan turkey roast that's herbaceous with thyme and rosemary and has a meaty, sliceable texture. After a few tries, I created an easy roast that's tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, it's now my favorite holiday centerpiece! And no feast is complete without some fluffy Vegan Dinner Rolls on the side, they pair perfectly with this roast!
If you like hosting like I do, you'll love adding my Thanksgiving favorites to your table! My vegan meatloaf, and my creamy vegan green bean casserole are always crowd-pleasers and a big part of my holiday traditions.
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🥘 Ingredients
When I make this roast, I stick to a few key ingredients. The best part is, I usually already have them in my pantry.
Chickpeas: I love using garbanzo beans in this roast because they add protein, fiber, and a hearty texture. They work so much better than tofu, giving the roast a firmer and more satisfying bite.
Vegan Chicken Broth is a key ingredient I use to keep the roast moist and add a rich, savory flavor. It also makes the basting liquid extra delicious! If you can't find this at your local grocery store, try a health food store like Whole Foods.
Seasonings: I use a blend of garlic powder, rosemary, thyme, and poultry seasoning to give my roast that signature turkey flavor. It's my go-to mix for holiday perfection!
Vital Wheat Gluten is what holds my roast together and makes it firm and sliceable. It's the secret to that chewy, meat-like texture I can't get enough of.
Vegan Butter is a must for me in this recipe. It's what I use to baste the roast and give it that beautifully golden, crispy crust!
🔪 How to Make
Now comes the fun part! I'm so excited to show you just how easy it is to make this vegan turkey roast recipe with my step-by-step photos.
Blend Ingredients: I toss everything, except the vital wheat gluten, into my food processor and blend it until it's smooth. If you don't have a high-speed processor, no worries, you can use a blender instead.
Make Seitan: then I pour the blended mixture into a large bowl and stir in the vital wheat gluten until everything starts coming together.
Knead: in this case I use my hands to bring it together and knead gently for about 1 to 2 minutes, just enough to combine everything. Then, I shape the seitan into a loaf, being careful not to overdo it.
Steam Seitan, Combine Basting Ingredients: I wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place it in a steamer basket over boiling water, steaming it for one hour. Once it's done, I remove the foil and let it cool. While the seitan is steaming, I preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, I whisk together the basting ingredients in a small bowl so they're ready to go.
Baste Fake Turkey: I place the roast in an oven dish and pour the basting liquid over it. Then, I use a spoon to scoop up the liquid and coat the roast evenly for extra flavor.
Bake Turkey: After basting, I slide the roast into the oven to bake for 25 minutes. Every 10 minutes, I take it out and spoon the sauce back over the top, making sure it stays juicy and flavorful as it cooks.
Cool & Serve: Once the roast is done baking, I take it out of the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes (this is key!) Then, I slice it up and serve it with my vegan onion gravy, soo good!
📖 Variations
Garlic Lover's Roast: If you're a garlic fan like me, try adding roasted garlic or a bit of garlic paste to the dough. It gives the roast a deeper, savory flavor that works so well with the herbs-it's a game-changer for garlic lovers!
Spiced Holiday Roast: For a festive twist, I like to mix in a pinch of warm spices like nutmeg, allspice, or even a touch of cinnamon. It gives the roast a cozy holiday vibe that's perfect for the season!
Gluten Free: I understand that vital wheat gluten is essential for my vegan turkey roast recipe, making it unsuitable for those avoiding gluten. However, there's a fantastic gluten-free vegan turkey roast recipe that you might find helpful.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
My Vegan Turkey Roast is one of those dishes that truly makes the holidays feel special. I love serving it alongside some of my favorite recipes that make the flavors really shine.
Sides: I love pairing it with all my favorite sides to create a feast that everyone remembers. Vegan baked potatoes are always on the table, along with my healthy cornbread and roasted green beans.
Sandwiches: One of my favorite ways to use this roast is for sandwiches. After slicing the roast, I'll pile it onto some bread to make the best vegan club sandwiches. Adding a dollop of cranberry sauce (especially this one I make from dried cranberries) makes them absolutely irresistible!
Desserts: No holiday meal is complete without dessert, and I always make room for my healthy pumpkin pie. It is a family favorite, but if I'm feeling a little extra festive, I'll bake a Pumpkin Apple Pie too. Either one is the perfect sweet ending to a holiday feast!
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: I store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They'll stay good, which means I can enjoy the roast throughout the week. It's such a treat to have an easy, ready-to-eat option for a quick lunch or dinner!
Freezing: If I'm not planning to eat the leftovers right away, I wrap individual slices tightly and pop them into the freezer. They keep beautifully for up to 3 months, so I can always pull out a slice or two whenever I'm craving that savory roast flavor.
Reheating: I like to warm the slices in the oven at 325°F-it brings back that just-baked freshness. If I'm in a rush, I'll use the microwave and heat them in short bursts until they're warmed through.
❓ Recipe FAQs
Is vegan turkey roast healthy?
Yes! Because it's made from plants, and not actual meat, most plant based turkey is lower in calories and fat than its meat counterpart. This seitan turkey recipe is super healthy for you as it's high in protein, low in fat, and a rich source of potassium, iron, and selenium. It's a healthy part of a plant-based diet!
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes, this vegan holiday roast can be prepared ahead of time, so all you have to do is bake it. Make the seitan loaf through step 4 (in the recipe card below) up to two days in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to bake it.
What if I don't have vital wheat gluten?
Unfortunately, there's no substitute for vital wheat gluten in this recipe. But I linked a gluten free recipe in the variation section.
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📋 Recipe Card
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