These vegan sticky ribs are crazy delicious – you won’t believe they aren’t the real thing! They’re a sure way to impress your family at a holiday dinner!

Vegan Sticky Ribs

If I had a penny for every time someone asked me why vegans like to eat things that imitate meat… I wouldn’t need to be a full-time blogger! (Although I probably still would because I love it!). Let’s face it, most of us didn’t go vegan because we don’t like the taste or the texture. And we still want to enjoy the familiar flavors without harming our health, animal lives or the environment.

These vegan sticky ribs are a perfect option for those who miss the meaty texture and the amazing sticky glaze. It’s also a great dish to serve at family gatherings like holiday dinners and backyard barbecues.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Making seitan can be quite daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, this recipe is a breeze. Using a blender and vital wheat gluten really speeds up and simplifies the process.
  • There are many occasions where you can serve it, both to plant-based and to omnivore friends!
  • If looking at these pictures doesn’t make your mouth water, I don’t know what to say! I think it’s more likely that after you make these once, you’ll be making these every week.
  • This vegan sticky ribs recipe also uses chickpeas, so you get a double charge of plant-based protein.
  • Once the “dough” is prepped, you can sit back and relax while the seitan is in the steamer basket. So easy!

How to Make This Recipe

In a blender, combine all ingredients except for the vital wheat gluten until a smooth thick liquid is formed. Pour the mixture into a bowl, and then add half the vital wheat gluten and mix. Pour the remaining half in and combine until you have a thick dough.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for a few minutes, forming into a rectangle shape. Place in a steamer basket and steam for 50 minutes.

Allow the seitan to fully cool down. Then, wrap in foil, and place it in the fridge overnight (you can use it as is but it’s better after it firms overnight).

The next day, slice seitan into “rib” shapes and baste it in your favorite BBQ sauce. Bake for an additional 15 minutes at 400F until heated through and sticky. Enjoy immediately.

Hack It!

  • Did you know that BBQ sauce is very easy to make at home? This will also help you avoid brands that use non-vegan ingredients in their sauce.
  • You can modify the recipe and make spicy ribs by adding some hot sauce to the marinade.
  • This kind of “dough” can be cooked in a variety of shapes and sizes. It’s a great foundation for other meat substitutes!
  • If you haven’t got the dedicated equipment, you may be able to make a makeshift steaming basket from a pot and a colander or sieve. Just make sure the steam can be somewhat contained.

Other Recipes You’ll Love

You might also benefit from the PlantYou Planner. It’s a digital meal planner web app that allows you to fully customize your weekly menu! You can choose from over 550 recipes, with new dishes being uploaded every single week. Plant-based living has never been easier!

I also released my very first (and hopefully not last) cookbook earlier this year! It features over 140 recipes, including dips, dressings and sauces in addition to traditional courses. The PlantYou Cookbook has gotten INCREDIBLE support from the plant-based community so far, so THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! If you haven’t got a copy yet, it’s best to call a local bookstore to see if they have a copy as it has been flying off the shelves, including online retailers.

Vegan Sticky Ribs

The Recipe: Vegan Ribs

Delicious vegan sticky ribs made from whole-food plant-based ingredients!
5 from 4 ratings

Ingredients

  • 1 250 ml can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • cups vital wheat gluten

Equipment

Instructions 

  • In a blender, combine all ingredients except for the vital wheat gluten until a liquid is formed.
  • Pour into a bowl, and then add half the vital wheat gluten and mix. Pour the remaining half in and combine until you have a thick dough.
  • Transfer to a floured surface and knead for a few minutes, forming into a rectangle shape.
  • Place in a steamer basket and steam for 50 minutes. After cooled, wrap in foil, and place in the fridge overnight (you can use as is but it’s better formed overnight).
  • Slice into “rib shapes” and cover in your favorite BBQ sauce. Bake for an additional 15 minutes at 400F until heated through and sticky. Enjoy immediately.
Serving: 100g, Calories: 165.9kcal, Carbohydrates: 39.3g, Protein: 12.3g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 0.1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Sodium: 271.2mg, Potassium: 50.9mg, Fiber: 20g, Sugar: 0.2g, Vitamin A: 54.9IU, Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 23.5mg, Iron: 1mg