Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
Easy Homemade Vegan Salami is the perfect plant-based alternative to traditional salami. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the recipe to ensure a crispy, flavorful result every time. This salami is packed with umami flavor and has a satisfying chewy texture. It’s the perfect addition to sandwiches, pasta, or as a snack. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Classic Southern Chicken Bog with Sausage and Rice and Easy S’mores Cookie Cake Recipe Perfect for Dessert.
Why This Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy texture that's better than store-bought
- Packed with umami flavor from sun-dried tomatoes and nutritional yeast
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Versatile – use in sandwiches, pasta, or as a snack
What You'll Need for Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 cup vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Vital wheat gluten: Ensure it's gluten-free if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Vital wheat gluten — Crucial for creating the chewy texture of this salami → See on Amazon
- Nutritional yeast — Provides a cheesy, nutty flavor and a boost of B vitamins → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, sun-dried tomato flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Step 2: Add cold water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands to ensure everything is well combined.
- Step 3: Knead the dough for about 2 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Shape the dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Step 5: Place the wrapped salami in a steamer basket set over a pot of boiling water. Steam for 45 minutes, turning the salami every 15 minutes.
- Step 6: Remove the salami from the steamer and let it cool completely. Slice and serve.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
- : For a more intense flavor, marinate the salami in olive oil, garlic, and herbs before steaming.
- Common mistake and fix: If your salami is too soft, steam it for a few more minutes. If it's too hard, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes before serving.
- : Store leftover salami in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- : For a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dough.
Storing & Reheating Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container for up to one week Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dough up to one day ahead and store in the refrigerator
Freezing Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
Freeze for up to three months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: No need to reheat Microwave: No need to reheat
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a more intense flavor, marinate the salami in olive oil, garlic, and herbs before steaming.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomato flakes with 2 tbsp of tomato paste.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough up to one day ahead and store in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your salami is too soft, steam it for a few more minutes. If it's too hard, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes before serving.
Want to level up this recipe?
Steamer basket — Ensures even cooking and prevents the salami from sticking to the pot → Check price on Amazon
Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato flakes
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Seasonings
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
Optional Toppings
- Fresh basil leaves
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, sun-dried tomato flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
- Step 2: Add cold water and olive oil to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms. You may need to use your hands to ensure everything is well combined.
- Step 3: Knead the dough for about 2 minutes. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Shape the dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
- Step 5: Place the wrapped salami in a steamer basket set over a pot of boiling water. Steam for 45 minutes, turning the salami every 15 minutes.
- Step 6: Remove the salami from the steamer and let it cool completely. Slice and serve.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a more intense flavor, marinate the salami in olive oil, garlic, and herbs before steaming.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the sun-dried tomato flakes with 2 tbsp of tomato paste.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dough up to one day ahead and store in the refrigerator.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
- Troubleshooting: If your salami is too soft, steam it for a few more minutes. If it's too hard, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes before serving.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to one week
- Freezer: Freeze for up to three months
- Oven reheat: No need to reheat
- Microwave reheat: No need to reheat
- Make ahead: Prepare the dough up to one day ahead and store in the refrigerator
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 110
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 3g
- Carbs: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sat. Fat: 0.5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dough up to one day ahead and store it in the refrigerator.
If your salami is too soft, steam it for a few more minutes. If it's too hard, soak it in warm water for 10 minutes before serving.
Yes, you can freeze the salami for up to three months.
No, this recipe requires steaming to achieve the right texture.
You can substitute the sun-dried tomato flakes with 2 tbsp of tomato paste.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
