Vegan Ham Recipe
This vegan ham recipe is a perfect dish to share with your loved ones this holiday season. Plus, it couldn’t be easier to make!
One of my favorite things about the holidays is the way they bring people together. Whether you’re hosting your family or bringing a dish to someone else’s house, it’s good to have plant-based options that look and taste like familiar favorites.
This vegan ham recipe fits right in alongside traditional sides like stuffing, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and more!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Using extra firm tofu, it is extremely easy to make it look and taste similar to roasted ham! If you miss this holiday dish since going plant-based, this is a perfect recipe for you.
- If you are hosting or visiting family for the holiday who are not vegan, this is a great dish to serve to your guests or bring with you.
- Generally speaking, you don’t have to wait for the holidays to make this. This vegan ham recipe is a great option for a Sunday roast or a dinner party.
- It’s SO EASY to make! Most of the process is hands-off. You just have to be patient while the tofu marinates and then bakes in the oven.
- Most, if not all, of the ingredients are available from regular stores. No special magical vegan ingredients required!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by pressing your tofu. You can use a tofu press or do it with a clean kitchen towel and something heavy.
Pressing tofu is a useful skill for any vegan (unless you’re allergic to soy, of course). You can learn how to do it in more detail here.
After pressing, slice your tofu blocks in half lengthwise. I’ve used standard 375-gram tofu blocks, but if your produce varies from mine, just aim for about an inch in thickness.
Then, carefully score the top of each “ham” in a criss-cross pattern. Select a container or bag that would be big enough for all of the tofu. Combine the marinade ingredients and transfer the tofu straight to the same container.
Using a pastry brush, ensure that the marinade covers as much tofu as possible, in particular the crevices you created with scoring. Leave everything to marinate for at least an hour in the fridge (ideally overnight).
Before roasting your tofu “ham”, be sure to preheat the oven to 375F. Carefully extract the tofu from the marinade and transfer it to a lined baking sheet.
Stick the cloves into the cross points, and allow the tofu to bake for 20 minutes, until it is slightly browned on the inside.
Use this time to mix up the glaze. Combine maple syrup, water, molasses, dijon mustard, cinnamon, balsamic vinegar, and orange juice in a small saucepan. Bring the contents to a low simmer, until the mixture thickens slightly.
After the initial 20 minutes, remove the tofu from the oven, and using a brush again, liberally coat the “hams” with the glaze. Place the tofu back in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the outside is caramelized.
Hack It!
- Just because you’re done with the marinade, doesn’t mean you should throw it away. It’s all about getting Scrappy! Leftover marinade can become a lovely salad dressing or stir-fry sauce.
- This technique for a vegan ham recipe will work on soy-free tofu as well. In recent years, stores have started stocking some soy-free alternatives such as pumpkin seed tofu or red lentil tofu.
- As for the marinade, soy sauce can be swapped for liquid aminos to avoid triggering an allergy or intolerance.
- If you don’t like the flavor of cloves, you can roast the tofu with sprigs of rosemary instead. It’s a great way to infuse flavor into the “ham”.
Serving Suggestions
Depending on the occasion, you may pair this vegan ham recipe so many different things!
If you’re looking for inspiration for a vegan holiday feast, I have a comprehensive list of appetizers, sides, and desserts to help you elevate this vegan ham and create an unforgettable meal.
Otherwise, it depends on budget, preference, and how heavy you would like your meal to be. Try this vegan ham recipe with:
- Crunchy vegetable salad
- Roasted or mashed potatoes
- Air-fried or roasted veggies
- Your favorite grains
A combination of tofu ham, carbs like potato or rice, and a few veggies guarantees a delicious, well-rounded meal.
Why We Eat Vegan Meat Substitutes
Whenever I create a recipe that imitates a traditional meat or dairy-based dish, the questions start flooding in. Why do vegans eat things that look like meat?
People who follow a vegan diet choose to avoid animal products for various reasons, such as ethical concerns, environmental sustainability, or health considerations. It has nothing to do with disliking the flavors, not for the majority anyways.
Despite abstaining from meat, some vegans may still consume dishes that mimic the appearance, taste, and texture of meat for several reasons:
- Transitioning to Veganism. Individuals who are transitioning to a vegan lifestyle might find meat substitutes helpful as they adjust to the change. Plant-based alternatives that resemble meat can make the transition more gradual and comfortable.
- Familiarity and Convenience. Vegan meat substitutes provide a familiar taste and texture for those who enjoyed meat before adopting a vegan diet. These alternatives can also make it easier for individuals to recreate familiar recipes and meals without using animal products.
- Social and Cultural Reasons. Sharing meals is often a social and cultural activity. Eating dishes that resemble meat can help vegans participate in shared meals with friends and family who may not follow a vegan diet. It allows for a sense of inclusivity and makes it easier to share meals with a diverse group.
- Nutritional Preferences. Some people may choose a vegan diet for ethical reasons but still appreciate the nutritional profile of certain meat substitutes. For example, plant-based burgers or sausages may offer protein content comparable to their meat counterparts.
- Variety and Culinary Exploration. Veganism doesn’t mean giving up diverse and flavorful foods. Many plant-based chefs and home cooks enjoy experimenting with ingredients to create delicious and innovative dishes that mimic the flavors and textures of meat.
Ultimately, the choice to consume meat-like dishes as a vegan is a personal one and may be influenced by individual preferences, cultural factors, and the desire for a diverse and enjoyable plant-based diet.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re an adventurous cook who likes to try new recipes every week, you’ll love the PlantYou Planner! It’s an interactive meal planner app that’s fully vegan and largely WFPB. You get to choose from over 600 delicious recipes to create your own meal plan, or follow one of the plans curated by our team. In addition to all that, the app provides allergy swaps for most recipes and generates a custom shopping list. How amazing is that?
Just because you’re eating plenty of fruit and veggies, doesn’t always mean your nutritional criteria is met. I have recently collaborated with an amazing women-led supplement company to create a multinutrient aimed at plant-based and plant-centered eaters. With Complement x PlantYou Essential, thriving on a vegan diet has never been easier!
The Recipe: Vegan Ham Recipe
Ingredients
- 750 gram extra firm tofu, two blocks, pressed for 20 minutes
- 12 cloves, or more to taste
Marinade
- ¼ cup soy sauce, tamari if gluten-free
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 orange , zest only
Glaze
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 4 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- 1 orange, same one you zested, juiced
Equipment
- Tofu press or kitchen towel
- Container or bag for marinating
- Sheet pan
- Parchment or reusable lining sheet
- BBQ brush
Instructions
- First, press the tofu, either using a tofu presser, or by wrapping in a clean cloth and topping with something heavy, like a stack of books. Allow the excess liquid to press out for around 20 minutes.
- Once pressed, slice the tofu blocks in half length wise. Carefully score the top in a cross stitch pattern.
- In a Tupperware container or reusable bag, combine the marinade ingredients. Transfer the tofu to the container and using a bbq brush, cover with the marinade. Allow to set for at least an hour, up to overnight in the fridge.
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Remove the tofu from the marinade, reserving excess for a salad dressing if desired. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet, and add the cloves into the cross stitch connecting points, and bake for 20 minutes, until browned slightly.
- While the tofu bakes, prepare the glaze. Combine the listed glaze ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, until thickened slightly.
- Remove the tofu hams from the oven, and using a bbq brush, liberally cover the “hams” with the glaze. Place back in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until caramelized on the outside. You can put on broil to caramelize for the last 2 to 3 minutes, watching to avoid burning. Remove the cloves and enjoy immediately.
