How To Make Vegan Kebab

Vegan kebab is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by anyone who loves the flavors of the Middle East. Whether you are looking for a quick and easy lunch, a hearty dinner, or a fun party food, vegan kebab has you covered!

In this article, you will learn how to make vegan kebab using simple ingredients and a few steps. You will also find some interesting facts and FAQs about vegan kebab at the end.

What is vegan kebab?

Kebab is a term that refers to various types of grilled meat dishes that are popular in many countries, especially in Turkey, Iran, and India. The word kebab comes from the Persian word “kabab”, which means “to roast”.

Vegan kebab is a plant-based version of kebab that uses meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, jackfruit, or mushrooms. These are marinated in a flavorful sauce and then grilled on skewers or cooked in a pan. Vegan kebab can be served as a sandwich in pita bread, flatbread, or buns, along with salad veggies, pickles, and sauces. Alternatively, vegan kebab can be served as a platter with rice, couscous, or bulgur, and salads.

Why make vegan kebab?

There are many reasons to make vegan kebab, such as:

• It is a great way to enjoy the taste and texture of kebab without harming animals or the environment.
• It is a healthy and nutritious dish that is high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, and low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
• It is a versatile and customizable dish that can be adapted to your preferences and dietary needs. You can use different types of meat alternatives, veggies, spices, and sauces to create your own vegan kebab.
• It is a fun and easy dish that can be made in less than 30 minutes, with minimal cooking skills and equipment.

How to make vegan kebab

To make vegan kebab, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 block of firm or extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce or tamari
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 8 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes
• 1 onion, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into chunks
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1/4 cup of vegan yogurt
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh mint
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Pita bread, flatbread, or buns, for serving
• Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickled cabbage, olives, and chili sauce, for serving

To make vegan kebab, follow these steps:

1. Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes and place them in a large ziplock bag or a shallow dish.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This is your marinade sauce.
3. Pour the marinade sauce over the tofu and toss to coat well. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to overnight, to let the tofu absorb the flavors.
4. Preheat your grill or oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper if using the oven.
5. Thread the tofu and the veggies onto the skewers, alternating them as you like. You should have about 8 skewers in total.
6. Place the skewers on the grill or the baking sheet and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the tofu is browned and the veggies are tender.
7. In a small bowl, stir together the vegan yogurt, garlic, mint, salt, and pepper. This is your yogurt sauce.
8. To serve, warm up the pita bread, flatbread, or buns, and fill them with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickled cabbage, olives, and chili sauce. Add one or two skewers per sandwich and drizzle with the yogurt sauce. Enjoy!

Conclusion

Vegan kebab is a tasty and satisfying dish that can be made with simple ingredients and a few steps. It is a great way to enjoy the flavors of the Middle East without harming animals or the environment. It is also a healthy and nutritious dish that can be customized to your preferences and dietary needs. You can serve vegan kebab as a sandwich or a platter, with various veggies, sauces, and sides. Vegan kebab is a perfect dish for any occasion, whether it is a quick and easy lunch, a hearty dinner, or a fun party food.

Interesting facts about vegan kebab

• Vegan kebab is not a new invention. In fact, there are historical records of vegetarian kebabs being made in India since ancient times, using ingredients such as paneer (a type of cheese), potatoes, and cauliflower.
• Vegan kebab is also known as veg shawarma, veg doner, or veg gyros, depending on the region and the style of preparation. Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish that consists of thinly sliced meat cooked on a rotating spit. Doner is a Turkish dish that is similar to shawarma, but with thicker slices of meat. Gyros is a Greek dish that is similar to doner, but with pork as the main meat.
• Vegan kebab can be made with different types of meat alternatives, such as tofu, tempeh, seitan, jackfruit, or mushrooms. Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on the texture, flavor, and nutrition you are looking for. For example, tofu is high in protein and calcium, but low in flavor. Tempeh is high in protein and fiber, but has a nutty taste. Seitan is high in protein and gluten, but low in other nutrients. Jackfruit is high in fiber and vitamin C, but low in protein. Mushrooms are high in antioxidants and vitamin D, but low in calories.

FAQs about vegan kebab

• How do I store and reheat vegan kebab? You can store the leftover vegan kebab in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can microwave, bake, or grill the vegan kebab until heated through. You can also reheat the pita bread, flatbread, or buns in the oven or toaster. The yogurt sauce can be stored in a separate container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, you can place the container in the refrigerator overnight, or in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. You may need to stir the yogurt sauce well before serving, as it may separate after freezing.
• Can I make vegan kebab gluten-free? Yes, you can make vegan kebab gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, gluten-free meat alternatives such as tofu, tempeh, jackfruit, or mushrooms, and gluten-free pita bread, flatbread, or buns. You can also use rice, couscous, or bulgur as gluten-free alternatives to bread.
• Can I make vegan kebab oil-free? Yes, you can make vegan kebab oil-free by omitting the olive oil from the marinade sauce and the yogurt sauce, and using a non-stick grill or baking sheet to cook the vegan kebab. You can also use water, vegetable broth, or vinegar as substitutes for oil in the marinade sauce and the yogurt sauce, to add some moisture and flavor. However, keep in mind that oil helps to create a crispy and juicy texture for the vegan kebab, and also helps to prevent the tofu and the veggies from sticking to the grill or the baking sheet.