There’s something truly satisfying about a hearty centerpiece that everyone can enjoy, and this Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe definitely fits the bill. With its comforting herb aroma and rich, savory flavor, it’s perfect for holiday tables or any occasion when you want something special—and plant-based!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made this vegan turkey roast quite a few times now, and every time it surprises me how much depth of flavor it delivers without any actual turkey. The herb glaze seals in that homemade feeling that makes the whole meal come alive.
- Rich, savory flavor: Thanks to white beans, miso, and bold herbs, every slice tastes satisfying and comforting without heaviness.
- Versatile centerpiece: Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or just want a special Sunday dinner, this roast looks great and feeds a crowd.
- Gluten-free option adaptable: While the recipe uses vital wheat gluten for that “meaty” chew, I’ll share tips to swap it or omit the stuffing for different dietary needs.
- Make ahead and freeze friendly: It stores beautifully, making your busy day easier and your dinner prep stress-free.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe blends smart pantry staples with fresh herbs to build flavor layers that’ll fool even the most devoted meat-eaters. Here’s a closer look at what each ingredient brings to the party.
- White Beans: These are the base of the roast, lending moisture, protein, and a creamy texture without overpowering the flavors.
- Vegetable Bouillon or Broth: Adds depth and helps suspend all those savory notes so nothing tastes flat.
- Nutritional Yeast: A quintessential vegan umami booster, it adds that subtle cheesy, nutty touch.
- Garlic Powder: For warmth and a little zing without overpowering freshness.
- White Miso Paste: This fermented powerhouse amps savory flavors and contributes a beautiful richness.
- Fresh Rosemary and Sage: Classic herb allies, they bring that holiday roast aroma everyone associates with turkey—just without the bird.
- Salt & Vegan Chicken Bouillon Cube: Enhances everything and adds an extra punch of meaty savor, vital in plant-based meals.
- Vital Wheat Gluten Flour: This is essential for structure and “chew,” simulating that turkey texture beautifully.
- Vegan Stuffing: Optional, but I love the surprise it adds when you slice into the roast—it’s a festive touch that’s comforting and hearty.
- Poultry Seasoning: The blend of herbs and spices rounds out the roast just right, making it unmistakably “turkey” in flavor.
- Vegan Butter, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar & Smoked Paprika (for glaze): Together, they create a glossy, caramelized finish with just a hint of sweet and smoky complexity.
Make It Your Way
I love to tweak this roast depending on the season or my mood. One of my favorite changes is swapping in different herbal mixes or trying it with no stuffing to make it quicker. You’ll find it holds up wonderfully to your own spin.
- Stuffing Variation: I once used a wild mushroom and chestnut stuffing instead of the classic bread-based one. It added an earthy touch that paired beautifully with the herb glaze.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: If you’re gluten-sensitive, try replacing vital wheat gluten with a blend of cooked lentils and oat flour, although texture won’t be quite the same—still delicious!
- Herb Swap: Feel free to play with thyme, marjoram, or even a bit of sage and rosemary smoked salt for a twist on the glaze.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Base
Start by dumping the white beans with their liquid, vegetable bouillon, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, white miso paste, fresh rosemary, sage, salt, and the vegan chicken bouillon cube into your food processor. Hit “on” and blend for about a minute until you get a smooth, creamy paste. This step sets the foundation, so don’t rush it—aim for a consistent texture without chunks.
Step 2: Mix and Knead the Dough
Add in the vital wheat gluten flour and pulse until everything comes together into a dough—approximately one minute again. Then, carefully invert the dough onto your work surface and start shaping it: roll it into a long, 1 ½ inch diameter log. Fold it in half, twist like you’re making a rope, then stretch it out into a 1-inch thick rectangle. It sounds fiddly, but it becomes pretty intuitive once you start.
Step 3: Add the Stuffing and Seal
Take your vegan stuffing and roll it into a log down the center of your dough rectangle. Fold the dough over the stuffing, seal all edges firmly so things don’t spill out during cooking, and shape into your roast form. Don’t forget to give the outside a good rub with poultry seasoning—it’s the flavor secret for that “turkey” vibe.
Step 4: Steam to Perfection
Wrap your roast tightly in aluminum foil, fold the edges towards the bottom and secure it with kitchen twine. Steam for 45 minutes. If you don’t own a steamer, no worries—just fill a pot with water, place a steaming basket or wire rack inside, cover, and steam on low. Keep an eye on the water level, adding a bit more if it evaporates too quickly. This steaming is what gives the roast its tender, “meaty” feel without drying it out.
Step 5: Glaze and Bake
While your roast is steaming, mix the vegan butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, and smoked paprika to form your herb glaze. Once steaming is done, remove the foil, place the roast on a baking pan, and brush with half of the glaze. Pop the roast into a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 20 minutes, basting twice more at 10- and 15-minute marks. The glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a slightly crispy, golden crust.
Step 6: Slice and Enjoy
Let the roast rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy and moist. Serve warm with your favorite gravy or roasted veggies for a complete meal everyone will ask for again.
Top Tip
Through cooking this vegan turkey roast a few times, here are my go-to pointers that will make your experience easier and tastier:
- Don’t skip the resting: Rest your roast after baking to let juices redistribute—it makes for a firmer slice and better mouthfeel.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh rosemary and sage are game changers here; dried can be used in a pinch but the vibrancy isn’t the same.
- Twist the dough well: The twisting step helps develop gluten for the right chew—take your time here for the best texture.
- Watch the steam water level: Keep an eye on your pot to avoid boiling dry, which can toughen your roast.
How to Serve Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
I love garnishing this roast with freshly chopped parsley and a couple of bright cranberry sauce dollops to contrast that rich herb glaze. It’s simple but adds a burst of color and fresh flavor that makes the dish feel festive and inviting.
Side Dishes
This roast pairs wonderfully with classic roasted root vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and a smooth mushroom gravy. For a lighter touch, steamed green beans or a crisp autumn salad complement the rich flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday dinners, I like serving this vegan turkey roast on a large platter surrounded by fresh rosemary sprigs, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds. It makes for a stunning centerpiece that instantly impresses guests—and tastes even better than it looks!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your meal, wrap leftover roast tightly in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I often enjoy slices cold on sandwiches or reheated gently for seconds.
Freezing
This roast freezes beautifully. I slice it before freezing for easy portioning, then store it in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight for best texture.
Reheating
To reheat, cover slices with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, the microwave works fine, just be careful not to overcook and dry it out. A quick brush of glaze before reheating seals in moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but the texture will be less firm and chewy since vital wheat gluten gives the roast that “meaty” bite. If you prefer to skip it, try increasing cooked beans or lentils and adding oat flour for body, keeping in mind it will be softer and more like a loaf than a traditional roast.
Store leftover roast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat covered in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or gently in the microwave. Adding a little glaze before warming helps keep it moist.
Absolutely! The flavor profile with sage, rosemary, and the rich herb glaze makes it perfect for holiday dinners, offering a plant-based centerpiece that’s both impressive and comforting. Plus, the steaming and baking method ensures it’s moist and tender every time.
Yes! This recipe is excellent for making ahead. You can steam and bake it a day before, then reheat gently before serving. It also freezes well, which makes it a great option for prepping meals in advance.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it proves you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or festivity when choosing plant-based. I love serving it when friends and family gather—it’s a conversation starter and a joy to slice into. Give it a try and see how this humble roast can steal the show at your next dinner.
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Vegan Turkey Roast with Herb Glaze 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 delicious vegan turkey recipe offers a flavorful plant-based alternative perfect for holiday meals or special occasions. Made with white beans, vital wheat gluten, and aromatic herbs, it features a savory stuffing and a rich glaze, resulting in a tender, satisfying roast that pairs wonderfully with traditional sides.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 15 ounce can white beans, undrained (425g)
- ¼ cup vegetable bouillon 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)
- 2 packed cups vegan stuffing
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
For the Glaze
- 3 tablespoons vegan butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Place white beans, vegetable bouillon or water, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, miso paste, chopped rosemary, chopped sage, salt, and the vegan chicken bouillon cube into the bowl of a food processor. Process for about one minute until the mixture is smooth.
- Add Vital Wheat Gluten: Add the vital wheat gluten flour to the food processor and pulse until combined, approximately one minute.
- Shape the Dough: Invert the dough onto a clean surface and shape it into a long roll about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Fold the roll in half and twist it like a rope.
- Form the Dough Rectangle: Stretch the twisted dough into a rectangle approximately 1 inch thick on the work surface.
- Add Stuffing: Shape the vegan stuffing into a roll and place it in the center of the dough rectangle.
- Form the Turkey Roast: Fold the dough over the stuffing and close it completely, forming a roast shape. Evenly rub the outside with 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning.
- Wrap and Steam: Wrap the shaped roast tightly with aluminum foil, folding the sides inward toward the bottom, and secure with kitchen twine. Steam the wrapped roast for 45 minutes. If using a stovetop steamer, fill a pot with 3 inches of water and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and place the roast in a steamer basket or on a wire rack above the water. Ensure water doesn’t fully evaporate; add more if necessary.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the roast steams, combine melted vegan butter, soy sauce, brown sugar, and smoked paprika in a bowl. Stir and let sit for the sugar to dissolve.
- Glaze and Bake: After steaming, let the roast cool slightly, remove the foil, and transfer to a baking pan. Brush half of the glaze evenly over the roast. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the roast for 20 minutes total, removing at 10 and 15 minutes to brush on additional layers of glaze.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, slice, and enjoy with gravy or your favorite vegetables. Optionally, prepare the roast without stuffing, following the same steaming and glazing instructions.
Notes
- Store the vegan turkey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It can be eaten cold or reheated in a microwave or a 350ºF oven until warmed through.
- Calories and carbohydrates include the stuffing; without stuffing, the roast contains approximately 299 calories and 27g carbohydrates per serving.
- Freeze the vegan turkey for up to 4 months in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating as instructed.
- Make sure to check the water level when steaming and add more if it evaporates before cooking completes to avoid burning or uneven steaming.
- You can customize the herbs in the recipe to your taste, substituting rosemary and sage with thyme or marjoram if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate)
- Calories: 446 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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