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Carolina-Style Vegetarian BBQ Sandwiches – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Carolina-Style Vegetarian BBQ Sandwiches

A zesty, tangy, mustard-based barbecue sauce perfect for plant-based sandwiches. This recipe uses savory seitan that soaks up the incredible Carolina Gold sauce for a mouthwatering, satisfying meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiche
Calories: 327
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • For the Carolina Gold Sauce
  • 1 cup (240 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml / 5.4 fl oz) no-salt-added ketchup
  • ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) yellow mustard
  • 3 tbsp (45 g / 1.59 oz) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) molasses
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) Louisiana-style hot sauce
  • 2 tsp (4 g / 0.14 oz) black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tsp (6 g / 0.21 oz) salt
  • For the Sandwiches
  • 12 oz (340 g) seitan, drained and cut into thin strips
  • 4 hamburger-style buns
  • 12 pickle chips, for serving (optional)
  • Coleslaw, for serving
  • Toast your buns! Lightly butter and toast the inside of your buns on a griddle or in the pan before assembling. This adds flavor and prevents them from getting soggy.
  • The sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will deepen and become even more complex overnight.
  • For a smokier flavor, add ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to the sauce along with the other spices.
  • If you can't find seitan, this recipe also works wonderfully with shredded young jackfruit (canned in brine, not syrup) or extra-firm tofu that has been pressed and crumbled.

Method
 

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider vinegar, ketchup, yellow mustard, brown sugar, molasses, hot sauce, black pepper, and salt.
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
  3. Cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  4. Carefully transfer 1 cup (240 ml) of the finished sauce to a separate bowl and set it aside for serving later.
  5. Add the sliced seitan to the saucepan with the remaining sauce.
  6. Continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring periodically, until the seitan is heated through and has absorbed the sauce.
  7. To assemble, divide the saucy seitan mixture evenly among the four hamburger buns.
  8. Serve immediately, topped with pickle chips and a side of coleslaw. Offer the reserved sauce for drizzling.

Nutrition

Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 47gProtein: 29gFat: 2g

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