There’s something truly comforting about a beautifully crafted roast, and this Vegan Stuffed Turkey Roast Recipe hits all the right notes without any turkey involved. It’s a fantastic centerpiece for holiday dinners or anytime you want to impress guests with a plant-based feast that actually tastes amazing.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this vegan stuffed turkey roast for several holidays now, and it never fails to wow everyone at the table—even the biggest carnivores! The texture is delightfully meaty, the herbs and spices bring that classic roast flavor, and the stuffing tucked inside adds an extra layer of cozy goodness.
- Rich, meaty texture: Thanks to vital wheat gluten, it mimics turkey’s chewiness surprisingly well.
- Flavor-packed stuffing inside: It keeps each slice interesting and bursting with savory notes.
- Perfect for special occasions: Impresses guests who don’t eat meat without sacrificing taste or presentation.
- Simple steaming and baking method: Makes it approachable even if you're new to vegan roasts.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This vegan stuffed turkey roast leans on ingredients that come together beautifully to build both flavor and texture. I love how the beans and miso add umami, while the vital wheat gluten gives it that “meaty” bite.
- White beans: Provide creaminess and protein, holding the roast together while keeping it moist.
- Vegetable bouillon or broth: Adds depth and savory notes that act like a flavor base.
- Nutritional yeast: Brings that cheesy, nutty richness that helps mimic poultry flavor.
- Garlic powder: A classic aromatic that perks up every bite.
- White miso paste: This ingredient is a secret weapon for umami and that “roasty” depth.
- Fresh rosemary and sage: Essential herbs for capturing that traditional holiday roast vibe.
- Salt and vegan chicken bouillon cube: I always recommend adding some bouillon for boosting savory complexity.
- Vital wheat gluten flour: The magic that gives structure and that perfect chewiness resembling turkey meat.
- Vegan stuffing: Tucked inside, it adds both flavor and texture, making every slice interesting.
- Poultry seasoning: A blend of herbs that ties the whole roast together in authentic turkey style.
- For the glaze (vegan butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika): This glaze caramelizes beautifully during baking, creating a lovely golden crust with a smoky-sweet finish.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this recipe depending on the season or what I have in the pantry. It’s super forgiving, so don’t hesitate to experiment to suit your taste buds!
- Variation: One year, I swapped out the rosemary and sage for thyme and sage, which gave it a slightly earthier twist that everyone really liked.
- Gluten-Free option: If you need to avoid gluten, try leaving out the vital wheat gluten and adding extra mashed beans and maybe some gluten-free flour, but expect a different texture.
- Stuffing Alternatives: Use chestnut or cornbread stuffing for a seasonal flair, or make your own herb-and-nut stuffing for a personal touch.
- Spice it up: Add a little smoked chipotle powder in the glaze for a subtle smoky heat — it’s delightful.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Stuffed Turkey Roast Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Base Ingredients Smooth
I start by dumping the white beans (with their liquid), bouillon or broth, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, miso paste, fresh rosemary, sage, salt, and vegan chicken bouillon cube into my food processor. I pulse it all for about a minute until it’s smooth and creamy. This gives a solid flavor base and ensures everything mixes well.
Step 2: Knead in the Vital Wheat Gluten
Adding vital wheat gluten is the secret to that chewy texture. I sprinkle it over the mixture and pulse to combine, then dump the dough onto a clean surface. Kneading it a bit by hand helps develop the gluten and makes the dough elastic — almost like bread dough.
Step 3: Shape and Stuff the Roast
Next, I roll the dough into a long log, about 1½ inches across. Then I fold it in half and twist it like a rope — this adds nice texture inside. After that, I stretch it out into a rectangle roughly an inch thick. I roll the stuffing into a log and place it in the center, then carefully fold the dough around it, sealing those edges as best as I can to keep the stuffing inside for steaming.
Step 4: Season, Wrap, and Steam
After shaping the roast, I rub it evenly with poultry seasoning for that classic flavor. Wrapping it tightly in foil and securing it with kitchen twine helps keep its shape. If you don’t have a steamer, a simple pot with a steamer basket or wire rack works great—I’ve done it tons of times. Steam it for 45 minutes, keeping an eye on the water level to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
Step 5: Glaze and Bake to Golden Perfection
While the roast steams, I mix up a glaze with melted vegan butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, and smoked paprika. Once steaming is done, I transfer the roast to a baking pan, brush on half the glaze, and bake it at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. I reapply the glaze twice more during baking to build up a gorgeous glossy crust that tastes amazing.
Top Tip
Making this vegan stuffed turkey roast perfectly takes a bit of practice, but here are some tips I’ve picked up from trial and error that make a huge difference!
- Don’t skip kneading: Spending extra time kneading develops the gluten for that chewy, turkey-like texture.
- Seal the stuffing well: When folding the dough around the stuffing, pinch edges firmly to avoid leaks during steaming.
- Steam gently: Keep your steamer water at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, to cook evenly without drying the roast.
- Layer the glaze: Multiple brush-ons create a beautiful, sticky crust that tastes irresistible—so don’t skim on this step!
How to Serve Vegan Stuffed Turkey Roast Recipe
Garnishes
I like to garnish slices of this roast with fresh thyme sprigs or a sprinkle of chopped parsley. The green contrast makes it pop on the plate while adding a fresh herbal aroma that pairs well with the rich flavors.
Side Dishes
Roasted root vegetables, mashed potatoes with vegan gravy, and cranberry sauce are my go-to sides. They balance the savory roast perfectly and create a classic holiday vibe that anyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
At a recent holiday dinner, I sliced the roast onto a large wooden board surrounded by colorful roasted veggies and small bowls of gravy and chutneys. It made serving easy and looked like a festive feast straight out of a magazine!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftover vegan stuffed turkey roast in an airtight container in the fridge where it keeps well for up to three days. It’s lovely both cold and reheated, which makes for great sandwiches or quick dinners.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this roast successfully for up to four months. Wrap it tightly in foil and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to keep it moist and tender.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer the oven at 350°F (175°C) wrapped in foil to gently warm through without drying it out. You can also zap slices in the microwave for a faster option, just be careful not to overdo it and dry the roast.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! If you don’t have a food processor, you can mash the beans very well with a potato masher or fork and mix everything by hand, though it will take a bit more elbow grease to get a smooth texture before adding the vital wheat gluten.
You can definitely skip the stuffing and just shape the dough into a roll. The steaming and glazing steps remain the same. It will still be delicious and a bit simpler to prepare.
Yes! You can assemble the roast and refrigerate it wrapped in foil for up to 24 hours before steaming and baking. This makes your holiday prep much easier.
Making this gluten-free is tricky because the vital wheat gluten provides the stretchy, chewy texture essential to the roast. If you need gluten-free, consider using firm tofu, seitan alternatives made from gluten-free binders, or various vegetable-based roasts instead, but note the texture and flavor will differ from this recipe.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Stuffed Turkey Roast Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to dishes whenever I want something festive yet plant-based that everyone enjoys. It’s approachable, flavorful, and makes a stunning centerpiece without any actual turkey. Give it a try—you might just find your new holiday tradition right here in your own kitchen.
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Vegan Stuffed Turkey Roast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Steaming and Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This vegan turkey recipe offers a flavorful and satisfying plant-based alternative to traditional turkey, perfect for holiday meals or any special occasion. Made with white beans, vital wheat gluten, fresh herbs, and a savory stuffing, it combines steaming and baking techniques to create a tender roast with a delicious glaze.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can white beans, undrained (425g)
- ¼ cup vegetable bouillon (broth) or water (55g)
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon white miso paste
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh sage
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 vegan chicken bouillon cube
- 1 ½ cup + 2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten flour (240g)
Stuffing
- 2 packed cups vegan stuffing
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
Glaze
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the base mixture: Place white beans with their liquid, vegetable bouillon or water, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, white miso paste, chopped fresh rosemary and sage, salt, and vegan chicken bouillon cube into the bowl of a food processor. Process for about one minute until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add vital wheat gluten: Add the vital wheat gluten flour to the food processor and pulse until combined, about one minute, forming a dough.
- Shape the dough roll: Invert the dough onto a clean surface and shape it into a long roll approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter. Fold the roll in two and twist it like a rope, then stretch out the dough into a rectangular shape about 1 inch thick.
- Add stuffing and form roast: Shape the vegan stuffing into a roll and place it in the center of the dough rectangle. Fold the dough over the stuffing and close it securely, forming a turkey roast shape.
- Season and wrap: Rub the entire roast evenly with one tablespoon of poultry seasoning. Wrap the roast tightly in aluminum foil, folding the sides inward toward the bottom and secure the foil with a rope or kitchen twine.
- Steam the roast: Steam the foil-wrapped roast for 45 minutes. If you do not have an electric steamer, place a steamer basket or wire rack inside a pot filled with about 3 inches of water, bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat. Place the wrapped roast in the steamer basket or on the rack, cover, and steam for 45 minutes, adding more water if needed.
- Prepare the glaze: While the roast steams, combine vegan butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Stir well and let it sit to allow the sugar to dissolve.
- Glaze and bake: Once steaming is complete, let the roast cool slightly, then remove the foil and transfer the roast to a baking pan. Brush half of the glaze over the roast. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the roast for 20 minutes, removing it at 10 and 15 minutes to brush more glaze on each time.
- Serve: Remove from the oven once done, slice, and serve with gravy or vegetables. Optionally, you can make the roast without stuffing, following the same steaming and glazing steps.
Notes
- Store the vegan turkey in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It can be enjoyed cold or reheated in a microwave or a 350ºF oven until warmed through.
- The nutrition information includes the vegan stuffing; without stuffing, each serving contains approximately 27 grams of carbohydrates and 299 calories.
- To freeze, wrap the vegan turkey tightly in an airtight container and store for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
- If you lack a steamer basket, a circular wire rack placed inside a pot works well for steaming.
- This recipe can be shaped and cooked without stuffing if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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