How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Short Ribs

If you are looking for a delicious and satisfying vegan dish that can impress even the most carnivorous of your friends and family, look no further than vegan gluten free short ribs. These meaty and tender ribs are made with plant-based ingredients that mimic the texture and flavor of real ribs, without any animal products or gluten. They are easy to make, and you can customize them with your favorite BBQ sauce and spices.

In this article, we will show you how to make vegan gluten free short ribs using two different methods: one with quinoa and beans, and one with jackfruit and wheat gluten. We will also answer some common questions about vegan ribs and give you some tips and tricks to make them even better.

What are Vegan Ribs?

Vegan ribs are a plant-based alternative to traditional pork or beef ribs. They are usually made with seitan, which is a high-protein meat substitute made from wheat gluten. Seitan has a chewy and stringy texture that resembles meat, and it can be flavored with various seasonings and sauces. However, seitan is not suitable for people who are gluten intolerant or allergic to wheat. Therefore, some vegan ribs recipes use other ingredients, such as quinoa, beans, mushrooms, beets, or jackfruit, to create a similar texture and taste.

Why Make Vegan Ribs?

There are many reasons why you might want to make vegan ribs, such as:

• You are vegan or vegetarian and you want to enjoy a classic BBQ dish without harming animals.
• You are allergic or sensitive to gluten or wheat and you want to avoid seitan-based ribs.
• You want to reduce your meat consumption for health or environmental reasons.
• You want to try something new and delicious that can surprise your guests.

How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Short Ribs with Quinoa and Beans

This method is inspired by the recipe from Eat the Vegan Rainbow, which uses quinoa, beans, mushrooms, beets, and tapioca starch as the main ingredients for the ribs. Quinoa is a nutritious seed that is high in protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. It also has a mild flavor that can be easily enhanced with spices and sauces. Beans add more protein and fiber, as well as a creamy texture. Mushrooms provide a meaty flavor and texture, while beets add some color and sweetness. Tapioca starch helps bind the mixture together and create a crispy crust when baked.

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 10 oz mushrooms, sautéed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 beet, roasted
• 2 cups dark red beans (canned or homemade)
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
• 1 tablespoon tamari
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke (or less, depending on your taste)
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought)
• Optional: sliced jalapeño peppers and minced cilantro for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9 x 9 inch (23 x 23 cm) baking dish.
2. Rinse the quinoa well under running water and drain. Transfer it to a small pot with the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the quinoa is fluffy and the broth is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes.
3. In a food processor or a blender, combine the mushrooms, beet, beans, tapioca starch, tamari, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, onion powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and half of the BBQ sauce. Blend until smooth and creamy.
4. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and add the cooked quinoa. Stir well until everything is well combined.
5. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish and press it firmly with your hands or a spatula.
6. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and firm on the edges.
7. Let it cool slightly before cutting into rib-shaped pieces.
8. To grill the ribs, heat a grill pan or an outdoor grill over medium-high heat and brush with some oil. Grill the ribs for about 3 minutes per side or until charred and heated through.
9. To serve, brush the ribs with the remaining BBQ sauce and garnish with jalapeño peppers and cilantro if desired.

How to Make Vegan Gluten Free Short Ribs with Jackfruit and Wheat Gluten

This method is inspired by the recipe from Veggie Society, which uses jackfruit and wheat gluten as the main ingredients for the ribs. Jackfruit is a tropical fruit that has a fibrous and fleshy texture that resembles pulled pork when cooked. It has a mild and slightly sweet flavor that can be easily transformed with spices and sauces. Wheat gluten is the protein part of wheat flour that gives seitan its meaty texture. However, unlike seitan, this recipe does not require boiling or steaming the wheat gluten, but rather baking it with the jackfruit mixture.

Ingredients

• 2 20 oz (567 g) cans of young green jackfruit in brine, drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke
• 2 cups vital wheat gluten
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (homemade or store bought)
• Optional: sliced green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Shred the jackfruit with your hands or a fork, discarding any hard or tough parts. Transfer it to a large bowl and add the nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, maple syrup, soy sauce, vinegar, and liquid smoke. Mix well until everything is well coated.
3. Add the vital wheat gluten and knead with your hands until a sticky dough forms. You may need to add some water if the dough is too dry or some more wheat gluten if the dough is too wet.
4. Shape the dough into a log and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Cut into rib-shaped pieces, but do not separate them.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until firm and golden.
6. Let it cool slightly before separating the ribs.
7. To grill the ribs, heat a grill pan or an outdoor grill over medium-high heat and brush with some oil. Grill the ribs for about 3 minutes per side or until charred and heated through.
8. To serve, brush the ribs with the BBQ sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about vegan ribs:

Can I make vegan ribs ahead of time?

Yes, you can make vegan ribs ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat them, you can either bake them in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes or grill them as instructed above.

Can I use other ingredients instead of quinoa or wheat gluten?

Yes, you can use other ingredients to make vegan ribs, such as oats, rice, lentils, chickpeas, tofu, tempeh, or mushrooms. However, you may need to adjust the amount of liquid and binding agents depending on the texture and moisture content of your ingredients.

What kind of BBQ sauce should I use for vegan ribs?

You can use any kind of BBQ sauce that you like for vegan ribs, whether it is homemade or store bought. Some popular flavors are original, hickory, mesquite, honey, spicy, or tangy. You can also make your own BBQ sauce by combining ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until thickened and adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Conclusion

Vegan gluten free short ribs are a delicious and satisfying dish that can please any palate. They are easy to make with simple ingredients that you can find in most grocery stores or online. They are also versatile and customizable with your favorite BBQ sauce and spices. Whether you make them with quinoa and beans or jackfruit and wheat gluten, you will end up with tender and meaty ribs that will impress your guests at your next vegan BBQ.

We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make vegan gluten free short ribs. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Happy cooking!