Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner

Easy Homemade Vegan Salami is crispy, flavorful, and the perfect plant-based alternative to store-bought. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the texture and flavor. The trick I discovered is using vital wheat gluten for that meaty chew. Keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Tomato and Cottage Cheese Toast Recipe for Quick Meals and Moist Banana Bread Brownies with Chocolate Chips.

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 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
• 1 tbsp dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Optional: Fresh basil leaves
• Optional: Red pepper flakes
• Optional: Olive oil, for drizzling

How to Make Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner

1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, sun-dried tomato flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Pulse until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add water, olive oil, and soy sauce or tamari. Process until a dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dough to a bowl and knead for 2 minutes. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Shape the dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
5. Step 5: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully place the wrapped salami log in the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the salami from the pot and let it cool completely. Unwrap and slice thinly. Serve with your favorite sides or use in sandwiches and salads.

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 in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Make-ahead tip: You can make the salami log up to 1 day ahead. Store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator until ready to simmer.

Freezing Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner

Freeze sliced salami for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

How to Reheat Without Drying It Out

Oven: There's no need to reheat this salami, as it's best served cold or at room temperature. Microwave: N/A

Recipe Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy salami, add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to the food processor.
• Best substitution: Substitute the vital wheat gluten with 1 cup of cooked chickpeas, blended until smooth, for a chickpea-based salami.
• Make-ahead: The salami can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the salami is too soft after simmering, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing. This will help it firm up.

Easy Homemade Vegan Salami Recipe for Plant-Based Dinner

⏱

Prep

15 mins

🍳

Cook

45 mins

⏳

Total

1 hour

🍽

Serves

8 servings

🥗

Diet

Vegan

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 1 cup vital wheat gluten
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato flakes
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari

Seasonings

• 1 tbsp dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional Toppings

• Fresh basil leaves
• Red pepper flakes
• Olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a food processor, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, sun-dried tomato flakes, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Pulse until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add water, olive oil, and soy sauce or tamari. Process until a dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed.
3. Step 3: Transfer the dough to a bowl and knead for 2 minutes. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes.
4. Step 4: Shape the dough into a log about 8 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
5. Step 5: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully place the wrapped salami log in the pot. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 45 minutes.
6. Step 6: Remove the salami from the pot and let it cool completely. Unwrap and slice thinly. Serve with your favorite sides or use in sandwiches and salads.

Notes

• Chef tip: For a spicy salami, add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes to the food processor.
• Best substitution: Substitute the vital wheat gluten with 1 cup of cooked chickpeas, blended until smooth, for a chickpea-based salami.
• Make-ahead: The salami can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Scaling: This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on your needs.
• Troubleshooting: If the salami is too soft after simmering, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing. This will help it firm up.

Storage

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Freezer: Freeze sliced salami for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.
• Oven reheat: There's no need to reheat this salami, as it's best served cold or at room temperature.
• Microwave reheat: N/A
• Make ahead: You can make the salami log up to 1 day ahead. Store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator until ready to simmer.

Nutrition Per Serving

• Calories: 140
• Protein: 15g
• Fat: 5g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 400mg
• 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

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!