Contents:
The Best Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe
Why You Should Make Your Own Vegan Sausages
What is Vital Wheat Gluten?
Alternatives to Vital Wheat Gluten
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Make Vegan Sausages
How Do You Make Vegan Breakfast Sausages?
What to Serve Your Vegan Breakfast Sausages With
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, which is why it comes as no surprise that some of the most popular foods in the world are breakfast foods! From pancakes and waffles to hash browns, muffins, and full English breakfasts, there are so many delicious options.
Traditionally, many family-favorite breakfast foods were not suitable for vegans. But nowadays, being vegan does not mean you have to miss out on starting your day the right way, with a tasty, filling, and healthy meal!
If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious breakfast option, you might want to try making your own vegan breakfast sausages! They pair perfectly with tofu scramble, hash browns, and toast for a classic breakfast meal.
This recipe is simple, easy to customize, and packed with protein and flavor!
Why You Should Make Your Own Vegan Sausages
Gone are the days of having to search high and low for vegan meats at your local grocery store. As the demand for plant-based alternatives has increased over the past few years, vegan alternatives like meat-free sausages and bacon, or dairy-free cheeses and milk, have become much easier to find!
This is great news for vegans, but it can also make it difficult to choose the right meat alternatives. That’s why making your own vegan breakfast sausages is such a great idea! You get to choose the exact ingredients and flavor profile to ensure your sausages are healthy and taste the way you like them.
With the rising cost of living, making simple homemade vegan food is also an excellent way to save money on your grocery bill. In fact, most of the ingredients in this recipe are ones you probably already have in your pantry.
While plant-based meat alternatives can be high in sodium. If you want to eat fewer processed foods and cut down on your sodium, making these vegan sausages is a good place to start.
What is Vital Wheat Gluten?
One of the key ingredients in this vegan sausage recipe is “vital wheat gluten”. It’s an ingredient you may have come across in other plant-based meat alternative recipes or bread recipes. But what exactly is vital wheat gluten, and how is it used in cooking?
Vital wheat gluten, also known as wheat gluten or seitan flour, is a type of protein derived from wheat flour. It is made by washing wheat flour dough with water until the starch and bran have been removed, leaving behind a high-protein gluten flour. This gluten flour is then dried and ground into a fine powder, which is what we know as vital wheat gluten.
When added to recipes, vital wheat gluten acts as a binder and protein source. It’s one of the main reasons this recipe does not call for any vegan egg replacements like flax seeds or flax eggs.
One of the main benefits of using vital wheat gluten in vegan recipes is that it is high in protein, with about 23 grams of protein per 1/4 cup serving.
Vital wheat gluten also has other health benefits. It is low in fat and cholesterol and can help improve digestive health, as it is a type of soluble fiber.
You can find vital wheat gluten at most grocery stores, health food stores, or online.
Alternatives to Vital Wheat Gluten
If you have a gluten intolerance or simply prefer not to use vital wheat gluten in your cooking, there are several alternative ingredients you can use to achieve similar effects.
The main ingredient we would recommend as a substitute for this recipe is chickpea flour. Chickpea flour, also known as gram flour, is a high-protein gluten-free flour made from ground chickpeas. Similarly to vital wheat gluten, it can be used as a binder in recipes, which makes it a great ingredient for vegan breakfast sausages.
For this recipe, you can also substitute the vital wheat gluten with TVP (textured vegetable protein). TVP is made from soy flour that has been processed to remove fat and carbohydrates, leaving behind a high-protein product. It has a texture similar to ground meat when rehydrated, and is often used as a ground meat substitute.
It’s important to note that while TVP is naturally gluten-free, some manufacturers may process it in a factory that contains traces of gluten.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Vegan Sausages
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions on how to make these delicious vegan breakfast sausage patties, take a look at these frequently asked questions and recipe notes to ensure you have everything you need.
What kitchen equipment do you need to make vegan sausages?
Making vegan breakfast sausages is not as complicated as you may think! This recipe does not require any specialized or expensive equipment. You don’t even need a food processor! All you need is a large mixing bowl, measuring cups, baking sheet, parchment paper, a sauté pan or skillet, and cooking utensils like spoons and a spatula.
How do I substitute the Vital Wheat Gluten?
As mentioned, you can substitute the vital wheat gluten with either chickpea flour or TVP. Simply use the same measurements as the vital wheat gluten, and follow the recipe instructions.
If you’re using TVP, we would recommend adding ¼ to ½ cup all-purpose flour or oat flour to the mixture as well to get the right consistency.
Can I make this ahead of time?
If you’d like to batch-cook your vegan sausage mix or simply make too much and want to save some for next time, you’ll be happy to know that this recipe is freezer friendly!
To freeze the sausage mix, shape it into patties or roll it into sausages and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Put the baking sheet in the freezer until the sausages are frozen, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Label and date the container or bag, and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to cook the sausages, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then cook them according to the recipe instructions.
What should I do with the leftovers?
Once you have cooked your vegan breakfast sausages using this recipe, they will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. To store any leftover sausages, let them cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge.
If you want to keep the sausages for longer, you can also freeze them once they’ve been cooked. Allow the sausages to cool to room temperature, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat them in a skillet or microwave before serving.
How many vegan sausages does this recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 12 vegan sausages, depending on how big you make them. The recipe yields about 2 cups of sausage mixture, which can be divided into 12 equal portions and rolled into sausages. However, if you prefer larger or smaller sausages, you can adjust the size accordingly and make more or fewer sausages.
Can I use this recipe to make vegan burgers instead?
Yes, you can use the same recipe with a few simple adjustments to make some tasty vegan burgers!
To make vegan burgers using this recipe, simply take the sausage mixture and make patty shapes in the palm of your hand, instead of rolls. You can shape the patties to your desired size and thickness. Cook the patties on a lightly oiled skillet or grill for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until browned and fully cooked through.
The flavor and texture of the vegan burgers will be slightly different from the sausages, but still delicious and satisfying.
Can I use different seasonings?
Yes, add different spices and herbs to suit your taste. For a spicier sausage, try adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You can also use different types of broth or substitute the maple syrup with agave.
The spice mixture in this recipe adds so much flavor so we don’t recommend skipping these ingredients.
How do you make vegan breakfast sausages?
If you’re looking for a simple, nutritious, and affordable vegan breakfast sausage recipe, look no further.
This recipe takes under an hour to make from start to finish and is so easy to make. Simply prepare all your ingredients and follow the steps below, then sit back and enjoy your delicious breakfast!
Vegan Breakfast Sausage Recipe
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serving: Roughly 12 sausages
Ingredients:
1 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil (or coconut oil)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions:
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine and mix your dry ingredients together including the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, fennel seeds, salt, and black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together your wet ingredients (the vegetable broth, soy sauce, olive oil, and maple syrup).
- Next up, add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for a few minutes. You can either keep the dough in your mixing bowl or transfer it to a clean surface).
- After a few minutes, divide your dough into 12 equal sections (depending on how many sausages you would like to make) and roll them into sausage-shaped logs.
- Gently fry each sausage for a few minutes on each side by adding them to a lightly oiled sauté pan or skillet over medium-low heat. You do not want to completely cook the sausages. This step is to get the sausages slightly golden brown on the outside to give them a nice flavor and the perfect texture.
- Next, transfer the sausages to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes. At the halfway mark, flip the sausages over to ensure they cook evenly.
- Remove the sausages from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving them.
What To Serve With Your Vegan Breakfast Sausages
Tofu Scramble
Our favorite way to enjoy these sausages is alongside tofu scramble and sourdough toast! Add a selection of veggies to your tofu scramble, like onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spinach, to make this an even healthier breakfast.
Vegan Eggs
Instead of tofu, you can also serve these sausages with a vegan egg replacement of your choice and a side of hash browns
Breakfast Burrito
These vegan sausages are also the perfect addition to a breakfast burrito and add a tasty protein source. Chop up your sausages and serve in a burrito with black beans, veggies, vegan cheese, and sauce of your choosing.
Avocado Toast
If you love a classic breakfast, why not elevate your avocado toast by adding a few vegan sausages on the side?
These vegan breakfast sausages are versatile and taste great as a side to your favorite breakfast foods.
Start your day off on a delicious and healthy note with these hearty vegan sausages!
