• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact

Happy Food, Healthy Life logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Vegan Main Dish Recipes

    Published: Nov 12, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links

    The Perfect Vegan Roast

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Find out how to prepare a vegan roast that will blow your taste buds away. This recipe includes mushrooms, garlic, beans, and spices, and is super easy to bring together.

    Slice Vegan roast with sliced mushrooms and sprigs of herbs

    I don't know about you, but for me, big fancy holiday dinners are all about the sides more than the main dish. The carbs. The sauces. The dips. I'm all in.

    In fact, one of my first vegan Thanksgivings, I decided to make a meal out of just the sides, and although I was happy and full, it turned out, I was kinda missing something.

    The roast. The main hero of the meal.

    And my friend, this Vegan Roast is exactly that. The hero that will save all holidays to come.

    Before you think it's gotta be super complicated and fussy, I'm here to tell you that you'll be whirring everything in a food processor, forming it into a log, and roasting it while you worry about the other dishes for the meal.

    You got this!

    Sliced vegan roast plated up with peas, carrots, and mashed potatoes. Gravy and roast in background.

    Let's start with the ingredients you'll need for this fab roast.

    Vegan Roast Ingredient Spotlight

    White Cannellini Beans - These protein-rich white beans act as a binding ingredient for this roast. White Northern Beans or White Kidney beans are a perfectly fine replacement in this recipe.

    Mushrooms - I have used white button, baby bellas, and cremini mushrooms in this recipe, but any mushrooms will work here. In fact, the more variety you have in the mushrooms, the more depth you'll have in the flavor of the roast.

    Garlic - Any good savory dish is better off with cloves of garlic. In a pinch, you could use already-minced garlic from a jar.

    Nutritional Yeast - Nutritional yeast is a great source of B12, something that's hard to come by in a plant-based diet. It also adds a great savory flavor to this roast.

    Poultry Seasoning - The best part about poultry seasoning? There's no poultry but all the flavor! One of my favorite vegan cooking hacks.

    Better Than Bouillon - Using bouillon is another great hack for bringing flavor that packs a punch. I love using the Seasoned Vegetable or Roasted Garlic varieties, but in this recipe, I think the Seasoned Vegetable option works best.

    Coconut Aminos - Coconut aminos is my go-to substitute instead of soy sauce or tamari. No weird additives like MSG. And no, it doesn't taste like coconut. It's more like a soy sauce or worchestershire sauce.

    Vital Wheat Gluten - This is the ingredient that makes all the magic happen in this vegan roast, creating a seitan-based loaf with a perfectly-"meaty" texture you'll love. Wheat gluten is basically a super flour that has had all the starch removed and left with just the gluten.

    plated vegan roast with gravy poured over.

    At first glance, this recipe may seem to take a lot of time, but I promise it doesn't. The majority of that time is spent with the roast in the oven or resting at the end. The hands-on time is just about 10 minutes and you'll be on your way!

    Step-by-Step Instructions for Vegan Roast

    Step 1- In a large food processor, combine the beans, mushrooms, garlic, nutritional yeast, poultry seasoning, bouillon, aminos, water, and oil.

    Step 2 - Blend until smooth.

    Step 3 - Add in the vital wheat gluten and pulse into a rough dough. Don't knead in the food processor.

    Step 4 - Turn dough onto surface and knead 5 minutes.

    Step 5 - Form dough into a loaf shape.

    Step 6 - Place dough on foil and parchment paper and roll up into a tight log with ends pinched together.

    Step 7 - Place on a baking sheet and bake 35 minutes. Flip and bake another 35 minutes.

    Step 8- Rest 30 minutes before unwrapping and slicing your vegan roast.

    This Vegan Roast is everything you’ve ever needed when it comes to a veggie holiday main dish:

    • Way easier than you may think with minimal hands-on time.
    • So scrumptious, no one will miss the turkey, the ham, the roast beef - none of it! 
    • Is even better as leftovers!!

    Holly's Insider Pro Tips

    Make it ahead of time

    Yes, this recipe is the ultimate time-saver. On the big holiday, you're busy with all the sides and desserts. Don't stress about the main dish here. Make it 1-2 days ahead of time, shape it into the loaf, and refrigerate. Then when its time, get it in the oven for the mealm taking it out of the fridge 1 hour before-hand.

    Be sure to let it rest

    Those 30 minutes of resting time are really important to complete the cooking process. Otherwise, you'll be sure to end up with a roast that may be less done than you'd prefer. And if you aren't quite ready to serve the roast at the 30 minute mark, feel free to keep it wrapped up and warm for a couple of hours after removing from the oven.

    vegan roast plated with veggies and mashed potatoes

    Vegan Roast FAQs

    What is a vegan roast made of?

    Vegan Roast is generally made from Seitan, a meat substitute popular in plant-based diets, as it has a 'meat-like' texture without the animal products. It's made by kneading a dough together using vital wheat gluten.

    Is there any way to make this vegan roast gluten free?

    Unfortunately no. With the necessary ingredient of Vital Wheat Gluten, there is no substitute that will provide similar results.

    How do I store leftovers?

    Leftovers should be stored in an air-tight container for about 5-6 days. In fact, I think the flavor develops even more over time! To reheat, microwave 45-60 seconds.

    Can I freeze vegan roast?

    Yes, you can freeze the roast for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe bag. Defrost overnight before using.

    Looking for more Vegan Holiday Recipes?

    Vegan Mashed Potatoes

    Vegan Stuffing

    Vegan Gravy

    Vegan Green Bean Casserole

    Vegan Caramel Apple Pie

    Vegan Pumpkin Pie

    Holiday Sangria

    Vegan Charcuterie Board

    Vegan Eggnog

    Thanksgiving Leftover Veggie Burger

    Now that you know how to easy it is to make this vegan roast recipe, please give it a star rating below and comment letting me know how it turned out for you.

    VEGAN ROAST

    Vegan Roast

    Find out how to prepare a vegan roast that will blow your taste buds away. This recipe includes mushrooms, garlic, beans, and spices, and is super easy to bring together.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Vegan Main Dish Recipes
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Resting Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 170kcal
    Author: Holly

    Ingredients

    • 1 15-ounce can white cannellini beans
    • 1 cup cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
    • 4 cloves garlic
    • ⅓ cup nutritional yeast
    • 1 ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon seasoned vegetable Better Than Bouillon
    • 2 Tablespoons coconut aminos or tamari (or soy sauce)
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
    • 2 cups vital wheat gluten

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°
    • In a large food processor, combine the beans, mushrooms, garlic, nutritional yeast, poultry seasoning, bouillon, aminos, water, and oil.
    • Blend until smooth. A few lumps are ok, but you want it pretty smooth.
    • Add in the vital wheat gluten and pulse until a rough dough forms. DO NOT KNEAD IN THE FOOD PROCESSOR.
    • Turn the dough onto a surface and knead for about 5 minutes.
    • Form the dough into an 8 ½" log.
    • Pull out a long piece of foil (about 24 inches) and lay it on your work surface. Place a smaller sheet of parchment paper on top of the foil.
    • Place your dough log on the short side of the parchment and foil. Roll up into a tight log and punch the ends to look like a sausage.
    • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes. Flip the roast and bake for 35 minutes more.
    • Remove the roast from the oven and leave it on the pan for 30 minutes.
    • Unwrap the roast and slice.

    Notes

    If you forget to flip it and end up baking it for 70 minutes on one side, it will still turn out fine. It will just be browner on one side.
    No salt is needed because of the saltiness in the bouillon and aminos.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 152mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @HappyFoodHolly or tag #HappyFoodHealthyLife!
    « OVER 50 OF THE BEST VEGAN THANKSGIVING RECIPES
    The Best Vegan Sweet Potato Pie »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, Holly! I’m so happy you’re here. Why don’t you pull up a chair and a mug of whatever goodness you’ve got. I’m most likely sippin’ on coffee or maybe a glass of wine, and I’m definitely in a pair of sweats and fuzzy socks. Always comfy. Always real.

    More about me

    Popular Recipes


    • Plant-Based Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Quick Vegan Tofu Scramble (Vegan Scrambled Eggs!)
    • The Best Southern Vegan Biscuit Recipe
    • The Easiest (and Best!) Vegan Meatloaf

    Guess What?

    Cooking Doesn't Have to be Hard

    I know the idea of vegan cooking and baking can be uber intimidating, but I swear I gotcho back! I strive to make all my recipes incredibly simple and easy to follow. You'll be comfortable whipping up delicious plant-based foods in no time!

    Start Here

    Seasonal Recipes


    • Healthy Frappuccino Recipe {Vegan!}
    • Vegan "Chicken" Salad Sandwiches
    • Blueberry & Peach Salsa
    • VEGETARIAN SLOPPY JOES

    Footer

    • Recipe Index
    • Work With Me
    • Contact Me
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Copyright ©2022, Happy Food, Healthy Life. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy