I had one veggie burger left over, and while cooking up our usual weekend brunch the next day, I was craving some sausage. So, I decided to crumble up the veggie burger and sauté it with some spices including red pepper flake, cayenne, and fennel, and it was kind of amazing. That’s when I realized a vegan sausage recipe was in the making. I went to the drawing board, inspired by our black bean burgers. I simplified the ingredients down to the essentials, tweaked the flavors, and came out on the other side with a seriously delicious vegan sausage recipe. Wanna know how it’s done? Let’s do this!
What is Vegan Sausage Made Of?
One of my least favorite things about vegan sausage at restaurants or grocery stores is the ingredients. They often contain gluten or processed soy, which doesn’t sit well with my digestive system. So, I was excited to make a soy-free and gluten-free version that makes the most of:
Quinoa Pinto Beans Pecans Mushrooms Spices Herbs
Basically, we made a vegan sausage with whole food ingredients that’s easy to digest.
How to Make Vegan Sausage
Vegan sausage can be made a variety of ways, but usually in a food processor with a combination of tofu, tempeh, or beans. It can be chopped and mixed by hand, but a food processor speeds the whole process up! Our version is quite simple — requiring 10 whole food ingredients you likely have on hand right now — and is made in the food processor.
To Prepare
Prepare and cool quinoa (or use leftover quinoa!) Cook beans in the oven (helps the sausage texture be less mushy) Cook mushrooms in coconut aminos (or tamari, which is gluten-free soy sauce) Pulse the quinoa and pecans (or other nut or seed) Add the beans, mushrooms, spices, and herbs Add red pepper flake (optional for heat) and a date (optional for binding / flavor balance) Pulse and form into patties
How to Cook Vegan Sausage
Vegan sausage can be formed into patties and baked or pan-fried (pan-frying being our favorite) or crumbled and cooked in the pan for a quicker, less fussy option. For those who are oil-free, the patties should cook up nicely in a non-stick pan or be baked on parchment paper, although a bit of oil does go a long way in helping them brown and form a crust. You’ll find all cooking options outlined in the recipe below!
What to Serve with Vegan Sausage
This recipe is incredibly versatile and delicious alongside simple things like cooked eggs, roasted vegetables, greens, Vegan Breakfast Potatoes, Vegan Frittatas, Vegan Scrambled Eggs, or Breakfast Salads! It would also be a delicious addition to our Vegan Breakfast Burritos and this Grilled Corn Salad with Vegan Chipotle Ranch when crumbled and pan-fried. It would also be amazing with a fried egg or vegan scrambled egg on a breakfast sandwich! Basically, the options are endless. We hope you love these vegan sausages! They’re: Quick & easy to makeFlavorfulCustomizable (swap out spices, herbs & beans!)HeartySatisfying& Super delicious These sausages would be the perfect thing to serve for brunch! Or, make ahead, freeze or refrigerate, and enjoy throughout the week alongside an egg or vegan egg. If you like this recipe, be sure to check out our Crispy Portobello Mushroom “Bacon,” Spicy Tempeh Breakfast Sausage, Crispy Eggplant “Bacon,” and Coconut Bacon! If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
