If you’re craving hearty, satisfying flavors but want to keep things 100% plant-based, vegan sausage recipes are your answer! Whether you’re new to the world of vegan cooking or a seasoned pro, homemade vegan sausages deliver the savory, smoky, and umami punch you love—minus the animal products.
From classic Italian-style links to breakfast patties and spicy chorizo, these recipes use whole-food ingredients, bold spices, and simple techniques to bring your favorite comfort food flavors to life.
Plus, making your own sausages means you control the ingredients, ensuring each bite is as healthy as it is delicious. Ready to fire up your skillet or grill?
Let’s dive into three of the best vegan sausage recipes you can make right at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavorful & Hearty: These vegan sausages are deeply seasoned with spices, herbs, and umami-rich ingredients for mouthwatering taste in every bite.
- Versatile: Perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or crumbling into pasta and stews. Use them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner!
- Whole-Food Ingredients: No processed fillers. Each recipe relies on beans, grains, nuts, and veggies for real nutrition.
- Customizable: Adjust the seasoning, texture, and spice level to your preference. Easily gluten-free and soy-free if needed.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch and freeze extras for quick, healthy meals.
Ingredients
Classic Italian-Style Vegan Sausage Links
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Cooked cannellini beans | 1 cup |
Rolled oats | 1/2 cup |
Sun-dried tomatoes (drained) | 1/4 cup |
Walnuts | 1/4 cup |
Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
Garlic cloves | 2, minced |
Fennel seeds | 1 tsp |
Smoked paprika | 1 tsp |
Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
Dried basil | 1/2 tsp |
Salt | 1/2 tsp |
Black pepper | 1/2 tsp |
Tomato paste | 1 tbsp |
Soy sauce or tamari | 1 tbsp |
Vital wheat gluten | 3/4 cup |
Water | 1/2 cup |
Spicy Vegan Chorizo Sausage
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Cooked black beans | 1 cup |
Brown rice (cooked) | 1/2 cup |
Sun-dried tomatoes (drained) | 2 tbsp |
Chipotle chili powder | 1 tsp |
Paprika | 1 tsp |
Cumin | 1 tsp |
Coriander | 1/2 tsp |
Crushed red pepper flakes | 1/2 tsp |
Garlic powder | 1/2 tsp |
Salt | 1/2 tsp |
Apple cider vinegar | 1 tbsp |
Olive oil | 1 tbsp |
Vital wheat gluten | 3/4 cup |
Water | 1/2 cup |
Breakfast-Style Vegan Sausage Patties
Ingredient | Amount |
---|---|
Rolled oats | 1 cup |
Cannellini or navy beans | 1 cup |
Maple syrup | 2 tsp |
Soy sauce or tamari | 1 tbsp |
Sage (dried) | 1 tsp |
Thyme (dried) | 1/2 tsp |
Smoked paprika | 1/2 tsp |
Black pepper | 1/2 tsp |
Salt | 1/2 tsp |
Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
Vital wheat gluten | 1/2 cup |
Water | 1/4 cup |
Equipment
- Food processor or high-powered blender
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Non-stick skillet or grill pan
- Steamer basket (for links or chorizo)
- Aluminum foil or parchment paper (for shaping sausages)
- Spatula
- Baking sheet (optional, for oven finishing)
Instructions
Classic Italian-Style Vegan Sausage Links
- Blend Base Ingredients: In a food processor, add the cannellini beans, rolled oats, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, olive oil, and garlic. Pulse until mostly smooth but with some texture remaining.
- Add Seasonings: Add fennel seeds, smoked paprika, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and soy sauce. Pulse to combine.
- Combine with Wheat Gluten: Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Stir in the vital wheat gluten and water. Use a spatula or your hands to mix until a dough forms. Knead for 2-3 minutes to activate gluten.
- Shape & Wrap: Divide the dough into 4-6 portions. Shape each into a sausage link about 5 inches long. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or parchment paper, twisting the ends.
- Steam: Place wrapped sausages in a steamer basket over simmering water. Steam for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through for even cooking.
- Cool & Sear: Remove sausages from steamer and let cool. Unwrap and sear in a hot skillet with a little oil until browned on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Spicy Vegan Chorizo Sausage
- Process Ingredients: In a food processor, combine black beans, cooked rice, sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle powder, paprika, cumin, coriander, red pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Pulse until combined but slightly chunky.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and water. Blend again briefly.
- Incorporate Wheat Gluten: Transfer to a bowl and mix in the vital wheat gluten. Knead just until a dough forms.
- Form & Steam: Shape into 4-6 sausage links. Wrap tightly in foil or parchment and steam for 30-35 minutes.
- Sear or Grill: Let cool, then grill or pan-fry with a little oil for a smoky finish.
Breakfast-Style Vegan Sausage Patties
- Grind Oats: Pulse oats in a food processor until you get a coarse flour.
- Add Beans & Flavor: Add beans, maple syrup, soy sauce, sage, thyme, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Process until well combined.
- Mix in Wheat Gluten: Transfer to a bowl. Mix in oil, water, and vital wheat gluten. Knead lightly until just combined.
- Shape Patties: Divide into 8-10 portions and form into small patties.
- Pan-Fry: Heat a skillet with a little oil over medium. Cook patties 3-4 minutes on each side until golden and firm.
Tip: Steaming sausage links before searing improves their texture dramatically. For gluten-free sausages, use chickpea flour instead of vital wheat gluten and add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed for binding.
Tips & Variations
- Make it Gluten-Free: Swap vital wheat gluten for chickpea flour or oat flour and add ground flaxseed for binding. Texture will be more tender but still delicious.
- Change the Beans: Try lentils, chickpeas, or pinto beans for different flavors and nutrition.
- Boost Umami: Add a tablespoon of miso paste or chopped olives for extra depth.
- For Soy-Free: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce or tamari.
- Spice It Up: Add extra chili flakes, hot sauce, or smoked chipotle for more heat.
- Freeze for Later: Cooked sausages freeze beautifully. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Try Different Shapes: Shape into meatballs or crumble for pizza or tacos.
Nutrition Facts
Recipe | Calories | Protein (g) | Fiber (g) | Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Italian-Style Sausage (per link) | 195 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 415 |
Chorizo Sausage (per link) | 185 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 400 |
Breakfast Patties (per patty) | 85 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 180 |
Nutrition values are approximate and will vary based on specific brands and exact quantities used.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Italian Links: Serve in toasted buns with sautéed peppers and onions, or slice into creamy vegan alfredo pasta for a hearty meal.
- Chorizo Sausage: Crumble into tacos, burritos, or breakfast hash. Delicious with roasted potatoes and avocado.
- Breakfast Patties: Pair with a stack of pancakes, avocado toast, or fill a breakfast sandwich using homemade vegan bread machine buns.
- Grilled Sausages: Brush with BBQ sauce and serve alongside a fresh salad or low calorie vegetable soup.
- Party Platter: Slice all three sausage varieties and serve with mustard, pickles, and crackers for a vegan charcuterie board.
Conclusion
Homemade vegan sausages are a game changer for plant-based eating. They’re loaded with flavor, boast a hearty texture, and can be tailored to suit any occasion—from weekend brunch to backyard BBQs.
Whether you’re craving classic Italian, spicy chorizo, or breakfast sausage patties, these recipes make it easy and fun to enjoy your favorite comfort foods with a healthy, compassionate twist. Plus, you get all the nutritional benefits of beans, grains, and nuts, minus the cholesterol and saturated fat found in traditional sausages.
Try these vegan sausage recipes and you’ll never miss the store-bought versions again! For more delicious plant-based inspiration, check out our Peruvian Vegetable Recipes for Flavorful Healthy Meals, or treat yourself to a sweet finish with our Vegetarian Date Cake Recipe: Moist, Easy, and Delicious.
If you’re looking for more wholesome bread to pair, don’t miss our Vegan Bread Machine Recipe for Soft, Delicious Loaves. Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Homemade Vegan Sausage
Description: These flavorful vegan sausages are packed with protein and spices, perfect for grilling or pan-frying. Enjoy them on a bun or sliced into your favorite dish.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT50M
Servings: 6 sausages
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Mash the beans in a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Add vegetable broth, olive oil, and soy sauce to the beans and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for 2-3 minutes until elastic.
- Divide the dough into 6 portions and shape each into a sausage.
- Wrap each sausage tightly in foil.
- Steam the sausages for 30 minutes.
- Let cool slightly, then unwrap and serve as desired.
Nutrition: Calories: 180 | Protein: 19g | Fat: 4g | Carbs: 16g
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