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Delicious Vegan Holiday Roast

Delicious Vegan Holiday Roast
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The Delicious Vegan Holiday Roast is a hearty, flavorful, and festive plant-based centerpiece ideal for holiday celebrations. Made with seitan or vital wheat gluten, mushrooms, nuts, and fresh herbs, it offers a rich umami profile and a golden-brown crust that impresses both vegans and non-vegans alike. This nourishing roast is customizable for gluten-free and nut-free diets, making it perfect for a wide range of gatherings from Christmas to Thanksgiving.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 2 cups seitan or vital wheat gluten
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or vegan butter (plus extra for brushing)

Mushroom Filling

  • 1 cup cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Herbs and Flavorings

  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • Optional: 1/4 cup dried cranberries or chopped dates

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mushroom Filling: Finely chop the cremini and shiitake mushrooms. In a hot pan, toast the mushrooms with olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped onion until deeply browned and fragrant to build a rich umami base.
  2. Mix the Main Dough: In a large bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten, ground flaxseed, toasted chopped nuts, fresh herbs (rosemary, sage, thyme), soy sauce, and vegetable broth. Add the cooled mushroom mixture and knead gently until the dough is fully combined and elastic, creating a meaty texture.
  3. Form the Roast Shape: Shape the dough into a tight log or oval, making sure the mushroom filling stays inside. Brush the outside generously with olive oil or melted vegan butter to aid browning.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the roast in a covered baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes to develop a golden, crisp crust.
  5. Rest and Garnish: Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes after baking to lock in the juices. Garnish with fresh herbs, dried cranberries, or pomegranate seeds for a festive presentation before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Don’t skip browning the mushrooms for maximum umami flavor.
  • Use fresh herbs for better aroma and taste compared to dried ones.
  • Allow the roast to rest before slicing to keep moisture locked in.
  • Adjust vegetable broth carefully: too little leads to a crumbly texture; too much makes it mushy.
  • Customize texture by varying nut or seed amounts and mushroom volume as preferred.

Nutrition

Keywords: vegan holiday roast, plant-based roast, festive vegan main dish, gluten-free vegan roast, holiday centerpiece, seitan roast

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/delicious-vegan-holiday-roast/