Name: Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 15 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 3/4 cup no chicken broth (vegetarian or vegetable broth can be substituted); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 cup nutritional yeast; 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon dried sage; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten; 3-4 cups additional broth (for steaming); 4 tablespoons vegan butter (or olive oil as alternative); 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (for browning)

If you’re looking for a show-stopping centerpiece that’s both comforting and completely plant-based, you’re going to adore this Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe. I absolutely love how this roast delivers all the savory, herb-infused goodness with a texture so satisfying it even impresses the most devoted omnivores. Whether you’re making it for a holiday feast or just a cozy weekend dinner, this recipe hits all the right notes and comes together with surprisingly simple ingredients!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich in Flavor: The blend of sage, thyme, rosemary, and nutritional yeast makes a deeply savory roast you’ll crave again and again.
Perfect Texture: Thanks to vital wheat gluten, this roast has a meaty, chewy bite that holds up beautifully when sliced.
Simple Ingredients: You can find everything at your local grocery store, making this recipe accessible yet impressive.
Great for Special Occasions: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a family dinner, this roast steals the show every time.

A loaf of brown roasted meat with a dark crust sprinkled with small green herbs lies on a bed of fresh green rosemary sprigs. Four slices are cut from the left side of the loaf, showing a lighter brown, smooth inside texture. The dish is on a white plate with a white marbled surface beneath. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic behind this Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe really lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients coming together in perfect harmony. When picking up your essentials, opt for good-quality broth and fresh spices if possible—that little extra touch makes a difference.

Chickpeas: Canned is fine—just make sure to rinse well for a cleaner flavor and texture.
No chicken broth (vegetable broth works too): I use Better Than Bouillon for extra depth, but any flavorful broth will do.
Olive oil: Adds richness while keeping the roast moist.
Nutritional yeast: This is the secret umami booster that delivers a cheesy, savory note without dairy.
Low sodium soy sauce: Enhances flavor without overwhelming saltiness.
Dried sage, thyme, rosemary: These herbs recreate that classic “turkey” roast flavor.
Onion powder and garlic powder: For a robust, aromatic punch.
Vital wheat gluten: The plant protein that gives the roast its hearty, chewy texture.
Vegan butter (or olive oil): For browning and an irresistible golden crust.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe my own by tweaking the herbs or broth depending on the season or what I have handy. You should definitely feel empowered to tailor this roast to your taste buds or dietary needs!

Add mushrooms: I sometimes fold in finely chopped sautéed mushrooms for an earthier depth that my family adores.
Herb swap: If you don’t have rosemary, fresh parsley or marjoram work nicely for a lighter flavor.
Gluten-free option: While vital wheat gluten creates the meaty texture, if you want gluten-free, you can try a chickpea flour and nut-based loaf but expect a softer texture.
Spicy twist: A pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne adds a smoky kick if you want to shake things up.

How to Make Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe

Step 1: Blend the Base

Start by tossing your drained chickpeas, broth, olive oil, nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and all those lovely herbs and spices into a food processor. Blend until you get a silky smooth mixture. When I first tried this, I underestimated how creamy it should be — don’t stop blending too soon! It really helps the final texture.

Step 2: Mix in Vital Wheat Gluten and Knead

Transfer your flavorful chickpea mash to a big bowl, then sprinkle in the vital wheat gluten. Stir it with a spatula at first, then dive in with your hands. Knead it about 10 times on a lightly floured surface until it pulls together into a firm dough. This kneading step is key — it activates the gluten, giving you that perfect chewiness.

Step 3: Steam Your Roast

Place your shaped loaf in a steamer basket over a few cups of broth in a large pot. Cover, boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer and steam for one hour, adding more broth if it evaporates. I discovered this slow steaming keeps the roast moist and infuses the broth flavors while cooking it through evenly.

Step 4: Brown for Beautiful Crust

Once steamed and slightly cooled, heat vegan butter and soy sauce in a skillet, then brown your roast on every side. This step gave me the biggest wow factor: that golden, savory crust is what makes this roast feel truly special.

Step 5: Slice and Serve

Slice the roast thinly, sprinkle with fresh herbs if you like, and serve it immediately with vegan gravy and your favorite sides. Your guests will be amazed how something plant-based can taste this hearty!

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Pro Tips for Making Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe

Don’t Skip Kneading: Kneading the dough activates the gluten, which is crucial for that “meaty” texture — trust me, it’s worth the effort.
Keep an Eye on Broth Levels: Steam with just enough broth to keep the roast moist; top it up halfway through to prevent drying out.
Use Nutritional Yeast Generously: This adds a cheesy, nutty depth that sets the flavor apart from other veggie roasts I’ve tried.
Brown for Flavor: Don’t skip the stovetop browning – it seals in moisture and adds that crave-worthy crust.

How to Serve Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a meatloaf with a dark brown, slightly crispy top sprinkled with small green herb leaves. The meatloaf is sliced, revealing a soft, light brown inside with a smooth texture. The slices are placed on a bed of fresh green rosemary sprigs on a white plate. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I’m a fan of simple garnishes like freshly chopped parsley or thyme sprigs—it brightens the plate visually and freshens up the rich flavors perfectly. Sometimes I sprinkle a little smoked paprika right before serving for a subtle smoky hint.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this roast with classic mashed potatoes and vegan gravy, plus roasted Brussels sprouts and maple-glazed carrots for a full holiday vibe. Crispy green beans or a fresh cranberry sauce are perfect too — they add balance with some sweetness and acidity.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings, I arrange slices in a nice overlapping pattern on a wood serving board surrounded by fresh herbs and shaved vegan parmesan for extra flair. Another time, I stuffed the loaf with herbed vegan cheese before steaming for a delightful surprise inside—highly recommend if you want to impress!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover slices tightly in foil or store them in an airtight container in the fridge—this keeps them moist for up to 4 days. When I first made this, I was worried it would dry out, but the soy sauce and butter crust really help it stay tasty.

Freezing

Freeze your leftover roast slices between parchment paper in a freezer-safe bag or container. This prevents them from sticking together, and they freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I like to reheat gently on the stovetop with a little vegan butter or olive oil to refresh that browned crust. You can also microwave it covered with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture, but the pan method gives a better texture.

FAQs

Can I make the Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe gluten-free?

Since vital wheat gluten is essential for the roast’s texture, this recipe isn’t gluten-free as written. However, you could experiment with alternative flours and binders like chickpea flour and ground nuts, but expect a softer, less elastic texture.
How long does this roast keep in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container, leftovers will stay fresh for about 4 days. Keeping the slices wrapped individually helps maintain moisture and flavor.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can steam the roast a day ahead, refrigerate it, and do the browning step just before serving to keep it fresh and warm.
What if I don’t have a steamer basket?

No worries! You can improvise by placing a heat-safe rack, an overturned metal cooling rack, or a trivet inside your pot above the broth to elevate the roast while steaming.

Final Thoughts

This Vegan Chickpea “Turkey” Roast with Savory Herbs Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen arsenal. It’s the kind of dish I turn to when I want to impress loved ones with hearty, comforting flavors without any fuss. If you’re on the fence about trying a plant-based holiday roast, give this one a shot—you’ll be amazed at how easily it becomes the star of your table. Trust me, your family and friends will be asking for seconds before you even cut the second slice.