How to Make Instant Pot Seitan

How to Make Instant Pot Seitan

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make your own seitan, using an Instant Pot is a great way to achieve a meaty texture with fewer ingredients. This Instant Pot Seitan is perfectly cooked and great for slicing, stir-frying, or using in your favorite dishes.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Keyword instant pot seitan, plant based chicken recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Natural Release 10

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 150kcal

Author Cindy Newland with Intentionally Eat

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp vegetable seasoning
1/2 tsp salt or salt substitute
1/2 tsp black pepper

Wet Ingredients

1 cup water or vegetable broth
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
2 Tbsp olive oil

Simmering Broth

6 cups water or vegetable broth
1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 bay leaf

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, vegetable seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Mix Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the water (or broth), soy sauce, and olive oil. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes elastic.
Shape and Wrap: Shape the dough into a loaf and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Then wrap the seitan dough in parchment paper and then aluminum foil.
Set Up the Instant Pot: Place a trivet in the Instant Pot and add the simmering broth ingredients—vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic cloves, and bay leaf. Arrange the seitan loaf on the trivet.
Pressure Cook: Seal the Instant Pot lid and set to Manual/Pressure Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Once done, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
Serve: Let the seitan cool completely before slicing or shredding. Use in your favorite recipes as a substitute for meat.

Video

Notes

The Nutritional Information is only an estimate based on the basic recipe without the optional ingredients. The accuracy of this recipe may differ depending on the ingredients you use.

Tips for Making Instant Pot Seitan

For a pull-apart texture, knead less and let the seitan hold its shape naturally. I prefer kneading by hand, but a stand mixer works too.
Try different cooking methods: this steaming method gives a meaty texture and the air fryer makes it crispy.
For the second cook, sauté or bake your seitan pieces with seasonings.
To make it a complete protein, add 1 cup white beans (cannellini or butter beans) and adjust to 2 cups vital wheat gluten with 3/4 cup water or broth.

How to Store Seitan

To store seitan properly and keep it fresh, follow these steps:

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.
Reheat by pan-frying on medium heat or microwaving for a quick meal.

Thawing & Reheating

To use frozen seitan, thaw it in the fridge overnight or place it in warm water. Reheat by steaming, sautéing, or baking to restore its texture.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this seitan instead of chicken in your favorite recipes. Here are a few ways I enjoy it:

- Mandarin Salad - It's great on top of this crisp, refreshing salad with an Asian-inspired vinaigrette bursting with ginger and soy sauce flavors.
- Baked Potato - It's a simple and delicious meal with a potato or a sweet potato.
- Butternut Squash Casserole Vegetarian - Add it to this incredible salad for a delicious bit of protein.

Nutrition