Which brings us to the follow-up question: what is vital wheat gluten? Chef Tanya’s KitchenA very basic seitan loaf is made by kneading water and vital wheat gluten together then simmering the resulting loaf in more water or vegetable broth. The original vegan Thanksgiving centerpieces were created from a blend of vital wheat gluten, tofu, and spices. Unless you are allergic or sensitive to gluten, seitan is a solid plant-based meat alternative. 6 vegan seitan recipesFollowing are our tried-and-true vegan recipes that make seitan the star.