I grew up in Miami, where I basically lived off of Palomilla steaks, sweet plantains, black beans and rice! This is the best Cuban-inspired vegan steak in all the land. Made to specifically mimic the Palomilla steak I ate 3 to 4 times a week at the Cuban restaurant down the street from my house when I was a kid. I learned I loved sweet coffee, sweet plantains and thin steak marinated in citrus. This “steak” has a meaty, texture. Mix jackfruit in with an easy seitan mixture. Steamed and then marinated in a mojo inspired marinade. Then you can grill it or pan sear it!
What You Need For This Vegan Steak:
- Vital Wheat Gluten: This essential to the texture of these steaks and what makes them perfect!
- Jackfruit: You want young green jackfruit that comes in a can.
- Tomato Paste, Soy Sauce, Miso Paste, Garlic and Onion Powder, Liquid Smoke and Pepper: These go into the seitan steak mix to flavor it.
- Veggie Broth: This is the liquid to form the seitan into a dough.
- Olive Oil, Orange and Lime Juice: These start the marinade.
- Garlic, Oregano, Cumin, Salt and Pepper: Also go into the marinade.
- Cilantro, Onion and Complete Seasoning: For cooking the steaks.
Eating this whole meal was so incredibly nostalgic to me. This is seriously the best Cuban-inspired vegan steak recipe. The steak with a side of black beans and rice, sweet plantains and a cafe con leche on the side took me back to childhood. Since I pride myself on making the best vegan comfort food around, I realized my site wasn’t complete. Not without this steak recipe. A bite of plantain, rice, beans and this steak with an onion too is the perfect bite of food!
Why Should You Make This Cuban-Inspired Meal?
- These are the easiest seitan steaks.
- The base recipe can be kept for all your steak needs and marinated in anything you want.
- This recipe is seriously delicious.
- These steaks can be grilled or pan fried!
- Prep these steaks a day ahead and marinate overnight for easy meal prep.
The Best Cuban-Inspired Vegan Steak
Easy jackfruit seitan "steaks" marinated in a citrus and garlic marinade and grilled or pan seared.
Ingredients
For The "Steaks"
- 1 1/2 Cups Vital wheat gluten
- 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon White miso paste
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Liquid smoke
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/3 Cup Vegetable broth
- 1 Cup Green jackfruit in brine or water, I used Trader Joe's
For The Marinade
- 1/4 Cup Olive oil
- 1/2 Cup Fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1/4 Cup Lime juice
- 8 Cloves Garlic, chopped
- 1/4 Cup Fresh oregano or 2 tsp. dried
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
For Cooking the "Steaks"
- 1 teaspoon Complete seasoning, I used Badia brand
- 1 White onion, sliced
- Cilantro for topping
Instructions
- Add the vital wheat gluten, tomato paste, soy sauce, miso paste, garlic powder, onion powder, liquid smoke and black pepper into a food processor.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and then pulse the food processor to start to combine everything. Just pulse a few times, it will still look a bit dry.
- Break apart the jackfruit and take out any seeds that are in the jackfruit. Then add it to the food processor.
- Then turn the food processor on and let it process, scraping down the sides as needed until the mixture forms a ball and is easy to press together.(see video if needed).
- Remove the seitan from the food processor and knead a few times and form a loaf shape. Divide into 4 equal portions. Then flatten them out as thin as you can into steak shapes.
- Place each "steak" into a steam basket that has been lined with parchment paper or sprayed with non-stick spray. Place the basket over a few inches of water in a large pot. Just enough so it is not coming up as high as the steam basket. Cover and steam for about 25 minutes or until the "steaks" are starting to firm up.
- While the "steaks" are steaming, make the marinade. Whisk together the olive oil, orange juice, lime juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and cumin in a small bowl or a large measuring cup. Set aside.
- Once the "steaks" are done steaming let them cool for a few minutes, then put them in a large ziploc bag or a large plastic container with a lid.
- Pour the marinade into the bag or container with the "steaks" and then let them marinate for at least 6 hours, but I like to marinate them in the fridge overnight.
- When ready to make the "steaks", pull them out of the marinade, but save the marinade for later.
- Sprinkle the "steaks" with the complete seasoning and then either put the steaks on the grill with the onion and grill for 6 to 9 minutes per side or until they are firm and golden brown on the outside.
- Or heat a non-stick skillet on medium high and pan sear them with the onion for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until the "steaks" are firm and golden brown.
- Drizzle the left over marinade over the cooked "steaks" and onions, then top with cilantro.
- Serve immediately with black beans and rice and/or sweet plantains if desired.
Video
Nutrition
Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 1989mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 4mg
Do you rinse the brine from the jackf?
I don’t but if you prefer to, you definitely can!
Hi I loved the steak recipe. I was wondering can you use the Frozen jackfruit? Is there a reason why you are using the jackfruit in brine as opposed to frozen?
I don’t see why you couldn’t use frozen jackfruit. I just always buy canned, it is what the stores I shop at always have. However, I’m sure both would work!