Vegan Pastrami Recipe

I’ve been vegan for many years now however once in a while I find myself craving something I’ve never even tasted! One of these cravings is a New York deli style pastrami sandwich. As a brit living in Australia that’s never been to America this is quite a random craving!

I looked online for a vegan version of this sandwich but the recipes are all seitan- which I love but sometimes I cannot put the effort in to make that so behold the quick and easy tofu pastrami!

Tofu pastrami is much healthier than its meat counterpart and much cheaper and easier to find the ingredients for too!

This recipe is super easy I’m sure any beginner can make this! Bonus points for the ingredients being so cheap so you can load it up and make a STACKED sandwich that will satisfy all of your cravings.

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If you love tofu check out some of my other tofu recipes

• Chinese Style Salt and Pepper Tofu
• The Best Tofu Scramble Seasoning
• Vegan Lunch Meat

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You'll love this vegan pastrami because its

Easy- All you need to do is peel the tofu, simmer, marinade and then bake when ready to serve. Often homemade vegan sandwich meat calls for making a time consuming seitan so this is a great easy option.

Healthy- This plant based pastrami is made from tofu, seasonings and spices which are all minimally processed unlike supermarket ‘fake meats’ so its great when you’re craving something a little more satisfying without going down the ultra processed route.

Accessible- Unlike its seitan counterpart this vegan pastrami is made from ingredients you can find in most regular supermarkets. No need to go out of your way to get to a health store for this recipe.

Notes on the ingredients-

• Extra firm tofu- Extra firm tofu is the best to use for this recipe as it holds its shape when sliced so thin. Any other firmness will be too soft and may fall apart.
• Beetroot- Raw beetroot gives the colour to the tofu and I also enjoy the slight hint of earthiness it gives. Do not use cooked beetroot as it wont give the desired colour. You could also use beetroot powder or vegan red food colouring. If you prefer not to color it that is also fine but the tofu will probably look brown.
• Dijon mustard- Pastrami gets its flavour from mustard and spices. I used Dijon but you can use wholegrain mustard which is sweeter or English mustard if you like a little kick.
• Mushroom seasoning- Mushroom seasoning is similar to MSG but made from mushrooms. It gives a great umami flavour which is welcome in this ‘beefy’ sandwich filling. You could also use a vegan beef stock or vegetable stock.
• Dark soy sauce- Dark soy adds another layer of salty richness to the broth. Don’t worry about it being too salty as the saltiness will decrease once you cook the sandwich strips.
• Seasonings- These are totally optional if you prefer not to have it spiced and more of a plain ‘beef’ flavour.

How to make tofu pastrami

• Using a vegetable peeler cut the tofu into strips.
• Add salt to water
• Bring the mix to a light simmer

• Drain the tofu
• Blend the marinade ingredients
• Pour marinade onto tofu strips

• Gently mix the tofu
• Add the tofu onto a baking tray and bake
• The tofu pastrami is done

You'll love these plant based recipes

• Creamy Courgette Orzo
• Vegan Olive Pesto Pasta
• Vegan Birria Nachos

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