This seitan-based Cajun Vegan Sausage is just what you need to take your Vegan Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Red Beans & Rice to the next level.
If you’ve never played around with seitan, now is the time to start! It is super easy and the magic of vital wheat gluten does most of the work for you.
When you start mixing these seemingly random ingredients together, you will think “No way is this going to turn into sausage” but trust me, it will! Have faith!
What starts as a mystery blob in a bowl will head to the steamer for a caterpillar-buttery transformation.
After the steamer, the sausage links are cut & heated in a skillet for optimal texture & firmness. Enjoy right away or you can store for later use. These freeze well, so I like to make a double batch and have a stock in the freezer for my next gumbo!
Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes
Tools
- Medium pot with lid
- Steamer basket
- Mixing bowl
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup canned kidney beans or pinto beans
- 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth, preferably from chick’n bouillon
- 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp liquid smoke
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, smash the kidney beans until they are one cohesive blob of mushed beans.
- Add in all remaining ingredients and combine well. It will form a soft ball. Knead the ball for about a minute to make sure everything is fully incorporated.
- Fill the bottom of your pot with enough water to fit underneath your steamer basket. Heat while you complete the next steps.
- Cut your aluminum foil into four 6 inch squares. Set aside.
- Take your seitan ball and separate into 4 equal parts. Roll each part into a sausage link.
- Wrap each cajun vegan sausage link in each aluminum foil square and wrap like a Tootsie Roll.
- Place each wrapped sausage link into the steamer basket and steam for 35 minutes.
- Remove the wrapped sausages from the steamer basket and allow to cool slighlty before removing the wrapper.
- Remove the wrapper and cut each seitan sausage link into disks.
- In a skillet, heat the sausage disks in a bit of olive oil over medium heat until firm & slightly browned. Taste & add any additional salt & pepper if needed.
Enjoy this Cajun Vegan Sausage in a Gumbo, Jambalaya, or Red Beans & Rice!
