This vegan homemade deli meat is perfect for slicing to put in sandwiches and on cheese platters!
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Learn more here.
I have always been a sandwich person ever since I was a little girl. I mean, it’s hard NOT to love sandwiches! They are super easy and convenient for school or work lunches. I would always take either a turkey cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich to school with me growing up.
After I decided to go vegan in 2015, I played around with different types of sandwiches that didn’t involve meat. I wanted something that would still contain some plant protein and that was still tasty! I ended up coming across vegan deli meats at the grocery store and they became my go to for sandwiches.
Once I got married, I realized that we were going through deli slices like crazy because my husband is also a fan of sandwiches! As a frugal girl, I am always looking to save some money. I decided that I would attempt to make my own vegan deli meat slices at home! Homemade deli meat slices were intimidating at first, but I am happy to say that I got them right the first time! It’s actually fairly easy to make, it just takes a little bit of time. Trust me, this deli meat is so good it tastes just like the store bought stuff if not better! You will also save a good amount of money because this recipe gives you a large log that could yield you 30-40 slices, depending on how thin you cut them.
How to Make the Vegan Deli Meat
For this homemade vegan deli meat, you will need:
- Vital Wheat Gluten
- Chickpea Flour
- Vegetable Broth
- Soy Sauce
- Tomato Paste
- Extra Firm Tofu
- Nutritional Yeast
- Spices: Garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, turmeric, salt, and poultry seasoning
The poultry seasoning really gives it that chicken/turkey flavor so I don’t recommend you skip that one!
You will also need a large steamer pot, a baking tray, blender, parchment paper, and foil.
Start by filling the steamer pot with water and set it over medium heat. Once it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low. While your pot is heating, blend together the tofu, vegetable broth, tomato paste, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and seasonings. Blend these until you get a nice smooth consistency.
In a large mixing bowl, mix the vital wheat gluten and chickpea flour. Once this is evenly mixed, add the liquid mixture from the blender into the bowl and mix using a wooden spoon or spatula. Mix until a dough form (you might want to use your hands towards the end!)
Next, sprinkle some flour over a clean work surface, such as a cutting board or clean counter top, and knead the dough. The dough will be somewhat sticky so that’s totally normal! Form a log with the dough and wrap it with parchment paper (not to tightly). Then, wrap it with foil, closing off the ends but leaving room for the log to expand while it cooks. You will be twisting the ends sort of like a candy bar wrapper!
Place the log into the steamer pot and steam for about 1 hour. Then, you will be baking it for 30 min at 350F. Once the deli meat is done, let it cool for 15 min before unwrapping and slicing.
There you have it! Delicious vegan homemade deli meat for you and your family to enjoy! This can last in your fridge for up to 2 weeks if you store it in and air tight container!
Vegan Deli Meat Slices
Ingredients
Refrigerated
- .75 Tofu Block extra firm
Pantry
- 3 C Vital Wheat Gluten
- 1/4 C Chickpea Flour
- 2 C Vegetable Broth
- 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 2 tsp Soy Sauce
Seasonings
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Fill a steamer pot with water and set over medium high heat. Reduce to low heat once it starts to boil.
- In a blender, add all the ingredients except for the vital wheat gluten and chickpea flour and blend until a smooth consistency is formed.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the vital wheat gluten and chickpea flour. Add the mixture from the blender into the bowl and mix together using a wooden spoon or spatula. A dough should form.
- Flour a clean work surface and knead the dough on it for 2-3 min. The dough will be kind of sticky but that's okay!
- Once the dough in kneaded, form it into a thick log and wrap it parchment paper, but not too tightly! Then wrap it again in the foil and twist the ends like a candy bar wrapper. Make sure you do not wrap the log to tightly because it needs room to expand while it cooks.
- Place the wrapped log into the steamer basket and steam for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350F. After the log has steamed, bake for 30 min.
- Remove from heat and let the deli meat cool before unwrapping or slicing! Once it has cooled, slice and enjoy on sandwiches or a cheese platter! Enjoy!
