How to make seitan

This guide will teach you how to make seitan from scratch. Seitan, which was invented by Buddhist monks in China, is a popular source of vegetarian protein.

517
STEPS
INGREDIENTS

Gather 2 pounds of organic unbleached white flour and 2 pounds of organic whole wheat bread flour.

Gather 2 pounds of organic unbleached white flour and 2 pounds of organic whole wheat bread flour.

Combine the flours in a bowl.

Combine the flours in a bowl.

Whisk the flours together so it's evenly distributed.

Whisk the flours together so it's evenly distributed.

Add 6 cups of cold water to the flour mixture.

Add 6 cups of cold water to the flour mixture.

Use your hands to mix together the water and the flour. You're done when the water has been thoroughly absorbed.

Put half of the flour & water mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Alternatively, hand knead for 150 strokes.

Put half of the flour & water mixture into the bowl of an electric mixer. Using the dough hook attachment, mix on medium for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Alternatively, hand knead for 150 strokes.

The dough will be in a nice smooth ball when done.

The dough will be in a nice smooth ball when done.

Mix the second batch of dough.

Mix the second batch of dough.

Return all of the dough to a mixing bowl and cover with warm water. Let sit for 30 minutes. You can use this time to assemble the ingredients for the stock.

Return all of the dough to a mixing bowl and cover with warm water. Let sit for 30 minutes. You can use this time to assemble the ingredients for the stock.

Gather your ingredients for the stock: celery, carrots, ginger, garlic, thyme, bay leaves onions, peppercorns and tamari.

Gather your ingredients for the stock: celery, carrots, ginger, garlic, thyme, bay leaves onions, peppercorns and tamari.

Grab a very large (8 to 10 quart) stockpot. Add 1 pound of onions quartered

Grab a very large (8 to 10 quart) stockpot. Add 1 pound of onions quartered

Add four cloves of garlic, halved.

Add four cloves of garlic, halved.

Add two stalks of celery halved lengthwise.

Add two stalks of celery halved lengthwise.

Add three carrots halved lengthwise.

Add three carrots halved lengthwise.

Add three sprigs of thyme.

Add three sprigs of thyme.

Add eight pieces of quarter sized slices of ginger.

Add eight pieces of quarter sized slices of ginger.

Add 2 bay leaves and 12 peppercorns.

Add 2 bay leaves and 12 peppercorns.

Add 1 cup of tamari.

Add 1 cup of tamari.

Add a gallon of water. You're done preparing the stock you'll be cooking the seitan in.

Add a gallon of water. You're done preparing the stock you'll be cooking the seitan in.

Place the colander into the large, empty bowl. This is what it should look like.

Place the colander into the large, empty bowl. This is what it should look like.

At this point, the dough mixture has reduced in size by about 50 percent.

At this point, the dough mixture has reduced in size by about 50 percent.

Notice how much smaller the dough is now. The texture is much firmer then it was 15 minutes ago. It's also less sticky so much easier to work with.

Notice how much smaller the dough is now. The texture is much firmer then it was 15 minutes ago. It's also less sticky so much easier to work with.

You're now left with the glutinous part of the wheat, the protein. All the starch and 90% of the bran has been washed away!

Divide the gluten into two equal size balls and then add them into the stockpot.

Divide the gluten into two equal size balls and then add them into the stockpot.

With the gluten added to the stockpot, simmer for two hours

With the gluten added to the stockpot, simmer for two hours

After about an hour, it should look like this.

After about an hour, it should look like this.

After about 2 hours of cooking the seitan is ready. Store it in the fridge in the stock you cooked it in. It will taste best if eaten within 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

After about 2 hours of cooking the seitan is ready. Store it in the fridge in the stock you cooked it in. It will taste best if eaten within 3-4 days. Or, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

  • 2.0lb Organic unbleached white flour
  • 2.0lb Organic whole wheat bread flour
  • 6.0c Cold water
  • 1.0lb Onions, quartered
  • 3.0 Carrots, halved lengthwise
  • 2.0 Stalks celery, halved lengthwise
  • 4.0 Cloves garlic, halved
  • 8.0 Quarter size ginger slices
  • 2.0 Sprigs thyme
  • 2.0 Bay leaves
  • 12.0 Peppercorns
  • 1.0c Shoyu or Tamari
  • 1.0gal Water