Seitan, often called “wheat meat,” is a versatile, protein-rich ingredient made from gluten, the main protein in wheat. In Chinese vegetarian cooking, it’s prized for its meaty texture and ability to absorb flavors from sauces and spices. Whether you’re new to seitan or looking for fresh ideas, here are eight easy ways to cook with seitan in your favorite Chinese dishes.
1. Stir-Fry Seitan with Vegetables
The quickest and most popular method, stir-frying brings out seitan’s chewy texture while letting you customize flavors. Slice seitan thin and fry it with colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snow peas. Use soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a splash of sesame oil for a classic Chinese stir-fry flavor.
2. Mapo Seitan (Instead of Tofu)
For a spicy Sichuan-style dish, try substituting tofu with diced seitan in Mapo Tofu. The firm texture of seitan holds up well to the bold flavors of doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste), Sichuan peppercorns, and garlic. It’s a hearty, satisfying alternative that still delivers the dish’s signature punch.
3. Seitan in Chinese Hot Pot
Seitan is a fantastic addition to Chinese hot pot. It soaks up the broth’s flavor without falling apart. Slice it into bite-sized chunks or use pre-formed seitan balls. Pair it with leafy greens, mushrooms, and noodles for a warming and customizable meal.
4. Sweet and Sour Seitan
This popular dish transforms humble seitan into a delicious main course. Coat small seitan cubes in cornstarch, lightly fry until crisp, and toss them in a homemade sweet and sour sauce made from vinegar, ketchup, sugar, and soy sauce. Add pineapple chunks and bell peppers for a tangy balance.
5. Steamed Seitan Rolls
In Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, seitan often appears in dim sum-style steamed rolls. Wrap thin strips of seitan in tofu skin or wheat wrappers along with vegetables like carrots and mushrooms, then steam until tender. Dip in light soy sauce with sesame oil for a delicate appetizer.
6. Seitan and Mushroom Congee
Add small pieces of seitan to congee (rice porridge) for a comforting breakfast or light dinner. Its chewy texture contrasts nicely with the soft rice, and it absorbs flavors from ginger, scallions, and shiitake mushrooms. It’s a great way to stretch a small amount of seitan into a full meal.
7. Braised Seitan in Soy Sauce
This is a classic preparation found in many Chinese home kitchens. Simmer seitan chunks in a mixture of soy sauce, star anise, cinnamon, ginger, and rock sugar until the sauce thickens and caramelizes. The result is a rich, umami-packed dish best served with steamed rice.
8. Seitan Dumpling Filling
Replace meat with chopped seitan in your dumpling filling. Combine it with napa cabbage, garlic chives, and sesame oil for a juicy and flavorful mix. Whether steamed, boiled, or pan-fried, seitan dumplings make a satisfying plant-based option for any Chinese meal.
Seitan’s flexibility makes it a great addition to Chinese vegetarian cooking. From bold stir-fries to delicate dumplings, it adapts to a variety of textures and flavors. If you’re aiming to expand your plant-based meal repertoire, try experimenting with these simple, authentic techniques—you may find seitan becoming a staple in your Chinese kitchen.
