If you’re plant-based and have ever missed having a classic holiday ham, you may be pleasantly surprised by this vegan ham recipe. It delivers the smoky, slightly sweet flavor many people remember from traditional ham, but it’s completely plant based and made from simple ingredients like vital wheat gluten, maple syrup, and smoked paprika.
At Vegetarian Zen, we know holiday meals can be tricky when you’re shifting toward more plant based options. Larissa and I remember missing out on the main dish at family gatherings after we became vegetarians in 2013. Over time we realized something important: plant based holiday meals can still feel festive, hearty, and satisfying.
This vegan ham is a seitan ham roast that slices beautifully for sandwiches, dinner plates, or deli slices later in the week. It’s flavored with soy sauce, nutritional yeast,
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What Makes This Vegan Ham Recipe Special
Store bought vegan meats are convenient, but making your own seitan roast at home gives you full control over flavor and texture. This recipe uses vital wheat gluten, which forms gluten strands that mimic the chew of traditional deli ham.
The flavor comes from a mix of savory and sweet ingredients including soy sauce, smoked paprika, dijon mustard, and maple syrup.
This recipe is also flexible. You can steam the seitan ham roast using a steamer basket or steamer insert, cook it in an Instant Pot, or prepare it on the stove top. Then, brush the steamed roast with a maple glaze and baked until lightly caramelized. The result is a flavorful mock meat centerpiece that works for holiday dinners, sandwiches, or vegan deli meat slices.
Ingredients
Roast
- vital wheat gluten
- nutritional yeast
- smoked paprika
- black pepper
- pork seasoning
- vegan bouillon powder or vegetable bouillon
- vegetable broth
- soy sauce or coconut aminos
- maple syrup
- dijon mustard
liquid smoke - orange zest
- beet juice (optional, for color)
Maple Glaze
- maple syrup
- brown sugar
- dijon mustard
- soy sauce
- fruit preserves or pomegranate jam
How to Make Vegan Ham
Prepare the Seitan Dough
In a mixing bowl combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, black pepper, pork seasoning, and vegan bouillon powder.
In a separate bowl whisk together vegetable broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, Dijon mustard,
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 2 to 3 minutes to develop gluten strands that give the seitan roast its meaty texture.
Shape the Vegan Ham
Shape the dough into a firm oval or ham style roast. Wrap it tightly in parchment paper and then foil so it keeps its shape while steaming.
Steam the Seitan Roast
Place the wrapped roast in a steamer basket or steamer insert over simmering water. Cover and steam for about 60 minutes.
If using an Instant Pot, add 1 cup of water and place the roast on a steamer basket. Cook on high pressure for 35 minutes and allow natural release.
Prepare the Maple Glaze
In a small bowl whisk together maple syrup, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and fruit preserves until smooth.
Bake the Vegan Ham
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unwrap the steamed seitan roast and place it in an oven safe baking dish. Brush the maple glaze over the surface.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing with extra glaze halfway through, until the outside is lightly caramelized.
Rest and Slice
Allow the vegan ham to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the texture firm up so you get clean deli slices. Serve with cranberry sauce, roasted vegetables, or potatoes (try hasselback potatoes or mashed potatoes) for a complete plant based holiday meal.
Why This Vegan Ham Recipe Works
Seitan is made from wheat gluten, which creates a chewy texture similar to traditional meat substitutes. Kneading causes gluten strands to develop, giving the roast a firm bite that works well for slicing.
The steaming process keeps the seitan moist while helping it hold its shape. After that, baking allows the maple glaze to caramelize, creating a sweet and savory outer layer.
The seasoning combination brings balance. Soy sauce adds saltiness, smoked paprika and
Variations to Try
Add pineapple flavor Place pineapple slices in syrup on top during the baking stage for a sweet glaze variation.
Make deli slices Chill the finished roast and slice thin for vegan deli meat sandwiches.
Try a smoky crust Sprinkle extra smoked paprika and black pepper on the outside before baking.
Use a skillet finish After baking, pan sear slices in a non stick skillet for crispy edges.
Add holiday glaze flavors Swap fruit preserves for pomegranate jam or cranberry sauce to create a festive glaze.
Tips to Keep It Fresh
Leftover vegan ham keeps well in the refrigerator for up to five days. Store slices in an airtight container so the texture stays moist.
If you plan to use it for sandwiches, slice the roast thin after it has chilled completely. A deli slicer works well if you have one, but a sharp knife works fine too.
This recipe also freezes well. Wrap the roast tightly before freezing and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.
For reheating slices, warm them in a non stick skillet or in the oven at a low temperature until heated through. If you want extra flavor, brush a little extra maple glaze over the slices before warming.
Vegan Ham (Seitan Ham Roast with Maple Glaze)
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Steamer basket or steamer insert
- Baking dish
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 cups vital wheat gluten
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon pork seasoning
- 1 teaspoon vegan bouillon powder
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon beet juice optional
Maple Glaze
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fruit preserves
Instructions
- Combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, black pepper, pork seasoning, and vegan bouillon powder in a bowl.
- In another bowl whisk vegetable broth, soy sauce, maple syrup, dijon mustard, liquid smoke, orange zest, and beet juice.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix into a dough. Knead for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Shape into an oval roast and wrap tightly in parchment paper and foil.
- Steam the roast in a steamer basket for 60 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix maple syrup, brown sugar, dijon mustard, soy sauce, and fruit preserves to make the glaze.
- Unwrap the roast and place in a baking dish. Brush with glaze.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing with more glaze halfway through.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing.
Making vegan ham at home is easier than most people expect, and it’s a great way to add a hearty centerpiece to your plant based holiday meal. With smoky flavor, a sweet maple glaze, and a sliceable texture, this seitan ham roast works for holiday dinners, sandwiches, and leftovers throughout the week.
Love this recipe? Check out our full collection of vegetarian and vegan recipes for more delicious ideas! And if you’re looking to share your creations (or get inspired by someone else’s), join our closed Facebook Group, The Peas and Carrots Society, a group of non-judgy folks who welcome all! Nothing but good food, good friends, and good fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vegan ham made from?
Vegan ham is usually made from seitan, which is wheat gluten mixed with seasonings and liquid to form a dough. When cooked, it creates a firm texture that works well as a plant based meat substitute.
Does vegan ham taste like real ham?
Many vegan ham recipes use ingredients like
Can I make vegan ham without vital wheat gluten?
Some recipes use tofu or legumes instead, but vital wheat gluten is what gives seitan its chewy texture and sliceable structure.
How do you cook seitan ham?
Seitan ham is typically steamed first so it cooks through evenly. After steaming, it’s often baked or glazed to add flavor and texture.
Can vegan ham be sliced like deli meat?
Yes. Once chilled, seitan ham can be sliced thin for sandwiches or used as vegan deli meat.
