
Recipe for Vegan Jerky Sticks
Ingredients:
- 1 cup vital wheat gluten (for seitan-based jerky)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spiciness)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth (or water)
- Optional: For mushroom-based jerky, replace vital wheat gluten with thinly sliced portobello mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms
Flavor Variations:
- Teriyaki: Add 2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce and reduce soy sauce to 2 tablespoons.
- Spicy Chili: Include 1 tablespoon chili powder and a pinch of red chili flakes.
- Barbecue: Mix in 2 tablespoons of your favorite vegan BBQ sauce.
Preparation:
- Make the Dough (For Seitan-based Jerky):
- In a large bowl, mix vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk together soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, tomato paste, garlic, and maple syrup.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until a dough forms. Knead for a minute. If using mushrooms, skip this step and move to marination.
- Marinate:
- For seitan jerky: Cut the dough into thin strips (about 1/8 inch thick).
- For mushroom jerky: Prepare the marinade by mixing the same wet ingredients and spices, then coat the mushroom slices in it.
- Let the seitan strips or mushroom slices marinate for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, leave them overnight in the refrigerator.
- Cook:
- Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Place the marinated strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
- Bake for about 1.5 to 2 hours for seitan (less for mushrooms, around 40-60 minutes), turning every 30 minutes, until the jerky reaches your desired level of chewiness.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the jerky cool completely as it will continue to firm up.
- Store in an airtight container. The jerky can be kept at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator for longer storage.
Serving Suggestion: Enjoy your homemade Vegan Jerky Sticks as a high-protein, savory snack any time of the day. They’re perfect for on-the-go, post-workout snacks, or as a flavorful addition to salads and wraps.
This Vegan Jerky is not only a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional meat jerky but also a versatile recipe where you can play with flavors according to your preference.