This recipe is a revision of my previous recipe for vegan Italian beef. For this recipe, I combined shredded young jackfruit and thinly sliced seitan to create an unforgettable texture. Together, they are magical. I also wanted to create a broth that was healthier. Last time, I used prepackaged broth, but this time, I made my own broth—loaded with red miso, reduced sodium soy sauce, onions, garlic, and Italian herbs and spices. I’m psyched for you to try it!

Traditionally, Italian beef is served with hot giardiniera on top. On the U.S.’s West Coast, I have had a hard time finding hot giardiniera. If push comes to shove, I would recommend going online to order it, or making your own from scratch.

If you don’t love hot spicy condiments, you can opt for mild giardiniera. It is much easier to find at most grocery stores in the U.S., regardless of coast. It isn’t Chicago-style, and it isn’t the same as the hot stuff, but it is still good.

Whether using hot or mild giardiniera, I prefer it packed in oil, rather than packed in water and vinegar. Nevertheless, either variety will work for this recipe.

If you aren’t into giardiniera, you can still make this recipe. Some people like Italian beef topped with pepperoncini. Other people don’t top it with anything at all. It’s all a matter of preference, but I am of the school that the condiment adds something to the mix.

So, load up a hoagie bun with vegan Italian beef, add an extra bit of broth, top it generously with giardiniera, and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Vegan Italian Beef

1 medium onion, thinly sliced into crescents

10 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped

Black pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp olive oil (OR 2 Tbsp oil from the giardiniera)

¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce

2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1-2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp onion powder

3 cups water

1 ½ Tbsp red miso

14 ounce can of young jackfruit packed in water, drained and shredded (I used Native Forest Young Jackfruit)

1 lb of seitan (OR two 8 ounce packages of seitan, thinly sliced – I like Upton’s Naturals Traditional Seitan)

16 ounce jar of giardiniera (hot or mild) packed in oil, to top (see note above)

8 hoagie buns

1. In a large, heavy pot or dutch oven, add onions, garlic, black pepper, and oil. Sauté over medium-low heat until the onions are translucent or for ~7 minutes. Add reduced sodium soy sauce, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté for another 3 minutes.

2. Add water and red miso. Simmer for 3 minutes, and then, taste. Adjust seasonings, if necessary. Maybe more red pepper flakes? Maybe a little more soy sauce?

3. Add jackfruit and seitan to the slow cooker. Pour of the entire contents of the pot or dutch oven over the jackfruit/seitan. Combine. Secure the lid on the slow cooker, and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours. Serve on hoagie buns, and top with giardiniera.

Like this: Like Loading...