Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
This vegan Philly cheesesteak sandwich is as hearty and comforting as sandwiches get. Using seitan beef and homemade vegan cheese whiz sauce, this beauty will keep your hunger at bay, guilt-free!
This vegan Philly cheesesteak sandwich might just be the finest meatless version of one of the world’s most famous sandwiches.
It tops the list for delicious comfort food and this satisfying vegan version is just as good, perhaps even better!
A soft hoagie roll packed with a hearty seitan “beef” filling, onions and a creamy vegan cheese whiz sauce. That’s precisely what we’re putting together and it’s going to be epic!
Key Tips to Follow
- Slice the seitan thinly and brown it in a hot pan to develop more flavor and color. A cast-iron pan works great, but use whichever pan you have on hand.
- Be sure to stir the vegan cheese sauce constantly as it cooks the prevent any lumps from forming.
If you happen to get lumps, no worries, it can still be saved. Allow the sauce to cool down, blend with a bit of water, then return to the pan to reheat while stirring.
- DO get proper, hearty hoagie rolls if possible. Crusty on the outside and super soft on the inside.
Ingredient Notes
For the Cheesesteak:
- Seitan ‘beef’ – This is a fantastic meat substitute. You can’t beat the texture of gluten plus plant protein.
Use storebought or easily make your own with this Vegan Seitan Turkey recipe. Use black beans instead of chickpeas.
- Vegetable stock – Seitan will lose some moisture as it browns. The stock adds it right back while adding some extra flavor.
- Onions and bell peppers – Although plain beef and cheese versions are popular, caramelized onions and crunchy bell peppers add another layer of flavor to the mix.
- Salt and Pepper
For the Vegan Cheese Whiz Sauce:
- Soy milk – The base of our creamy sauce.
- Potato or tapioca starch – Thickener
- Nutritional yeast – Add a cheesy flavor to recipes.
- Lactic acid – My go-to for any vegan cheese recipe. Just a small amount of vegan lactic acid adds a sharper, cheddar-like flavor.
I’ve used it in Vegan Mac and Cheese, Vegan Hamburger Helper and Vegan Cannelloni recipes. Lemon juice may also be used as an alternative.
- Dijon mustard – A little mustard goes a long way in this sauce, with the mildest pungency and flavor to spice it up.
- Garlic
- Paprika – Adds mild spiciness to the sauce but also a lovely color.
- Shallots – Milder and sweeter than regular onions.
- Maple Syrup – A small amount helps to balance the savory flavors.
- Salt
How to Make Vegan Cheesesteak Sandwich
(Quick summary. Full details are in the recipe card at the end)
For the cheesesteak:
1. Slice the seitan beef thinly and set aside.
2. Brown the onions and bell peppers lightly. Remove from the pan.
3. Brown the seitan then throw in the onions and bell peppers.
For the sauce:
1. Blend the shallots, garlic and potato starch with the soy milk.
2. Add to a pot with all the remaining ingredients and heat while stirring until the sauce thickens.
To assemble:
- Cut the hoagie rolls in half at the side, but not all the way through.
- Spread vegan butter inside the rolls and gently toast them on a griddle.
- Spread a hefty amount of cheese sauce in each roll, top with cheesesteak, and cover with a little more sauce.
Other Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Onions, shallots and garlic can be substituted in their powdered form.
- Try lentils or kidney beans for an equally good substitute for black beans.
- If you can’t handle soy, you can substitute soy milk with your favorite plant-based milk.
- If you are gluten-intolerant, substitute seitan beef for soy ‘beef’ or Beyond Meat ground.
- Swap the maple syrup for agave syrup if that’s what you have in hand.
Storage Suggestions
You can make the cheesesteak and cheese sauce beforehand. Freeze or store them in the fridge in air-tight containers for a few days.
More sandwich recipes
- Vegan Meatball Sub
- Vegan Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Vegan Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
- Baked Tofu Sandwich
- Vegan Tempeh Sandwich
- Vegan Sloppy Joes
Vegan Philly Cheesesteak
Servings: 2
Calories: 824kcal
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This meatless Philly cheesesteak is as hearty and comforting as sandwiches get. Using seitan beef and homemade vegan cheese whiz sauce, this beauty will keep your hunger at bay, guilt-free!
Equipment
- Skillet
- Small blender
Baking Recipes: For more accuracy, use Metric measurements and measuring spoons.
Ingredients
Cheesesteak:
- 1 lb (454 g) Seitan “beef”, Storebought or Try this Vegan Seitan Turkey recipe but replace the chickpeas with black beans
- 4 teaspoon (20 ml) oil
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- ½ medium green bell pepper, sliced, optional
- ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable stock, or Better Than Bouillion No Beef Base
Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup (237 ml) soy milk, unsweetened
- 2 tbsp (30 g) potato/tapioca starch
- 4 tbsp (16 g) nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vegan lactic acid, or 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) paprika
- 1 shallot, or ¼ onion or 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) salt, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon (2 ml) maple syrup
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, optional but adds extra creaminess
To assemble:
- 2 hoagie rolls
- 2 tbsp (30 g) vegan butter
Instructions
Cheesesteak:
- Slice the seitan "beef" into thin strips and set aside.1 lb (454 g) Seitan “beef”
- Heat 2 tsp oil at medium heat in a skillet. Add the onions then bell peppers. Cook until they start to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.4 teaspoon (20 ml) oil ,1 medium onion ,½ medium green bell pepper
- Add the remaining oil and seitan. Cook until it starts to brown then add vegetable stock.½ cup (118 ml) vegetable stock
- Toss in the cooked onion and bell peppers. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.½ teaspoon (2 g) salt
Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- If you’re using fresh garlic and onion or shallot, add to a small blender with the soy milk and potato starch. Blend until they are finely minced.1 cup (237 ml) soy milk ,2 tbsp (30 g) potato/tapioca starch ,1 clove garlic ,1 shallot
- Add all the ingredients to a saucepan. Stir until everything is evenly distributed. Place the pan over low heat. Cook while stirring with a whisk or wooden spoon until the sauce starts to thicken and become smooth.4 tbsp (16 g) nutritional yeast ,1 teaspoon (5 ml) vegan lactic acid ,1 teaspoon (5 g) dijon mustard ,1 teaspoon (5 g) paprika ,1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil ,½ teaspoon (2 ml) maple syrup
- Taste and adjust the seasoning or spices as needed. Remove from heat.
To assemble:
- Heat a clean griddle or pan over medium heat.
- Slice the rolls in half at the sides but not completely through.2 hoagie rolls
- Spread the vegan butter on the slices and place cut-side down in the hot pan to toast until browned.2 tbsp (30 g) vegan butter
- Take one roll and spread with some of the vegan cheese sauce. Fill with half the seitan “beef” then top with more cheese sauce.
- Repeat with the second roll and serve immediately.
Notes
- Onions, shallots and garlic can be substituted in their powdered form.
- Try lentils or kidney beans for an equally good substitute for black beans.
- If you can’t handle soy, you can substitute soy milk with your favorite plant-based milk.
- If you are gluten-intolerant, substitute seitan beef for soy ‘beef’ or Beyond Meat ground.
- Swap the maple syrup for agave syrup if that’s what you have in hand.
- You can make the cheesesteak and cheese sauce beforehand. Freeze or store them in the fridge in air-tight containers for a few days.
Tried this recipe? Upload a photo in the comments below!If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a rating. It really helps the blog.
Nutrition
Serving: 1Sandwich | Calories: 824kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 2310mg | Potassium: 721mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 1311IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 189mg | Iron: 15mg
Nutrition Disclaimer
Hello! Where do you buy the seitan blocks?!
I usually make it myself. For this sandwich, I used this Vegan Turkey recipe but with red kidney beans instead of chickpeas.
That is mouth watering!
Thank you!