Introduction #

The texture of seitan is almost always too grainy compared to real beef. The innovation here is pairing gluten with tapioca flour. A little tapioca flour greatly improves the texture and give the gluten a homogeneous mouth feel.

Dry ingredients #

• 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Mix well before adding liquid.

Texture #

If you feel like this recipe is too homogeneous (e.g., like chicken breast meat) then you can try with one or more of the following additives to provide more textural variation.

• 1 table tapioca pearls (soak 2-3 hours)
• 1 table green lentils (cook al dente, boil 9-12 min)
• 1 table crushed walnut

Wet ingredients #

• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Process #

Gradually combine dry and wet ingredients together. If necessary, add a little bit more water.

Stretch by hand into steak shapes. Steam (don’t pressure cook) for 10 min (takes 2-3 cups of water).

As a finishing touch, coat with BBQ sauce. Air fry 375F for 3-5 min.