There’s something irresistible about that sweet and tangy combo of pineapple and mustard, especially when it’s paired with a smoky, savory slice of vegan ham. This recipe for vegan ham slices with pineapple mustard glaze hits all the holiday notes — perfect for a vegan Christmas dinner main, a showstopping vegan easter dinner, or even a midweek vegan roast dinner. Made using homemade seitan (a classic base in many seitan recipes), these ham-style slices are juicy, tender, and full of flavor. The glaze caramelizes as it bakes, making every bite deeply satisfying. Whether you're building a vegan ham sandwich or just looking to impress guests with a vegan ham roast, this dish is a must-have for your recipe collection.
Sweet and Savory Vegan Ham Slices with Pineapple Mustard Glaze
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Mixing bowls You’ll need one large and one small bowl for the dry and wet ingredients respectively.
Steamer or large pot with steaming basket Essential for cooking the seitan to get the best texture. A bamboo steamer or a metal insert works fine.
Blender or whisk For making the glaze smooth.
Baking Dish To bake the seitan with glaze after steaming.
Aluminum foil Used to wrap and steam the vegan ham slices securely.
Sharp knife For cutting the ham into even slices.
For the Vegan Ham Slices
- 1 ½ cups vital wheat gluten
- ½ cup chickpea flour
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
For the Pineapple Mustard Glaze
- ½ cup pineapple juice fresh or canned
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pinch of salt
Prepare the Seitan Dough
In a large bowl, mix the vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, and all the spices. In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, soy sauce, tomato paste, maple syrup, and liquid smoke. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, mixing until a dough forms. Knead for 2–3 minutes until it becomes elastic.
Shape and Steam
Divide the dough into two logs, then flatten slightly into thick slices about 1 inch thick. Wrap each slice in foil tightly. Steam for 45 minutes over medium heat, flipping once halfway through. This step ensures the vegan ham gets that meaty texture you’re after, much like in a well-made vegan meat recipe.
Make the Pineapple Mustard Glaze
While the ham is steaming, combine pineapple juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, and salt in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for about 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally to avoid burning the sugar.
Bake with Glaze
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the steamed seitan slices from the foil and place them in a baking dish. Brush the pineapple mustard glaze generously over each slice. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, basting halfway through with more glaze.
Serve and Savor
Let the slices rest for 5 minutes before serving. The glaze will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. These slices are delicious hot but also great cold in a vegan ham sandwich the next day.
Pairings
These sweet and smoky ham slices pair wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, making them an ideal centerpiece for vegan new years recipes or holiday spreads.
- Vegan cabbage rolls – Their savory tomato filling balances beautifully with the sweetness of the ham.
- Roasted root vegetables – Think carrots, parsnips, and potatoes tossed in olive oil and herbs. This is also a great way to incorporate vegan carrot recipes into your meal.
- Vegan cabbage soup – As a cozy starter or side, it adds a warm, brothy contrast to the richness of the glaze.
- Stuffing or vegan turkey-style dressing – Because every vegan christmas ham deserves a hearty stuffing partner.
- Grilled tempeh skewers – For a protein-rich add-on that nods to creative vegan tempeh recipes.
For drinks, a crisp apple cider or a glass of dry white wine will help cut through the sweetness and balance the flavors.
FAQs
1. Can I use tofu instead of seitan for this recipe?
While this specific vegan ham recipe is built on seitan, you could try a tofu ham recipe by marinating firm tofu in similar seasonings and baking it with the pineapple glaze. However, the texture and depth of flavor will differ.
2. What part of the seitan loaf makes the best slices?
After steaming and baking, the entire seitan batch should be firm and sliceable. For even, meaty slices, cut crosswise across the logs rather than lengthwise.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can steam the seitan slices up to 2 days in advance and store them in the fridge. Apply the glaze and bake just before serving.
4. Is this good for a holiday table?
Yes! This makes a fantastic vegan Christmas dinner main or centerpiece for a vegan Easter dinner or vegan roast dinner. It’s colorful, hearty, and festive.
5. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, both the steamed and baked ham slices freeze well. Store in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil. Reheat in the oven for best results.
