The Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe is loaded with a great combination of chickpeas, mushrooms, and more. A super dinner for holidays and also for special weekends. You can serve it plain, with gravy, or with a multitude of sauces.
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Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe
Everybody needs a vegan meatloaf or two or three in their repertoire. One of the special differences with this meatloaf is that it has a mix of veggies that really pushes the flavors over the top.
Green split peas add so much flavor. It's like they're a miracle worker. Chickpeas and mushrooms add another texture, too. This is truly a unique meatloaf that is foolproof.
There's no chance of this meatloaf becoming mushy and you can be proud of all those beautiful slices.
I can just see this on a Thanksgiving table sitting alongside Vegan Sausage Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecans, Apple Broccoli Salad and more.
Vegan Meatloaf Ingredients
- Split Green Peas - becomes a flavor star.
- Chickpeas - add texture and taste.
- Rolled Oats - are a great binder add even more protein.
- Bread Crumbs - is also used for binding. Use gluten-free if needed.
- Onion - always adds sweetness when cooked.
- Cremini Mushrooms - help to add that earthy flavor.
- Carrot - has that little bit of healthy sweetness that is so good.
- Raw Hemp Hearts - are just so dang good.
- Ground Sage - is a favorite ingredient and it goes perfectly with the ingredients in this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper - for added seasoning.
- Tomato Paste - adds a richness to the easy vegan meatloaf recipe.
- Vegan Worcestershire Sauce - has seven concentrated ingredients for that extra oomph.
- Tamari - gives another twist to the flavors.
- Vegan Mayonnaise - is the final addition and is a creamy binder.
Wow! As I was going through this list I realized how power-packed it is with protein. That wasn't my intention but what an absolute pleasant surprise.
If you slice this loaf into 8 slices each slice is 17 grams of protein!
A nice feature to this recipe is that you bake it with no sauce and you can add whatever topping you like when serving. Or just serve it on the side.
A rich gravy is usually my first choice. Especially if it's being served for Thanksgiving. I love gravy on potatoes and stuffing too so it just seems like a no brainer.
How To Make This Easy Vegan Meatloaf Recipe?
There are steps to take but they are all easy. You won't believe how nicely it comes together.
- Get out a large mixing bowl, a food processor and a baking sheet.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper and place inside the baking sheet. Set aside.
- Cook the dried split green peas. Drain and then spread out on a couple of paper towels to get more water off of the legumes.
- Heat a couple of tablespoons of water to a skillet and heat to boiling and add the onions, mushrooms, and carrots. Turn down the heat and sauté for 10 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas and rolled oats to the food processor and pulse a few times to make pieces a bit smaller but not by much. Turn into the large bowl.
- To the large bowl add the cooked split peas, the mushroom mixture, bread crumbs, hemp hearts, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Add the tomato paste, vegan Worcestershire sauce, tamari, and vegan mayonnaise. Mix well until well combined.
- With your hands, press all of the ingredients into two balls. This is easier to transfer to the baking pan.
- Place on the parchment paper in the pan and press the two rounds next to each other, into each other. Pinch the seam together and start shaping into a loaf.
- The shaped loaf size is 8" x 5" x 1 ½"
- Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown.
If you have leftovers then that will give you another chance to change it up for another meal - like a sandwich.
How Do You Make Vegan Meatloaf Sandwiches?
There are a few different ways and each one is my favorite. No kidding - it just depends on how I feel that day. You can add lettuce and onion slices if you desire.
The traditional way is to take a sandwich size hoagie or submarine bun and lay it open. Have a warmed thick slice of 'meatloaf' and spoon on some warm marinara or spaghetti sauce.
It goes great on a hamburger bun too with barbecue sauce. I always like to warm my veggie loaf when I first put it on a sandwich. It can cool off but I like to start it warm.
Nice hearty sandwich bread with chipotle mayo. Lots of it.
Can You Freeze Vegan Meatloaf?
Heck yeah!
It is perfect for freezing if you have it around long enough.
Place any leftovers in a freezer-safe container. If I use freezer bags, I like to double bag.
It will be kept in the freezer for 6 months.
What Side Dish Goes with Vegan Meatloaf?
Mashed Potato Casserole goes with so many things.
For that perfect meatloaf with rich brown gravy, you have to have Scalloped Potatoes!
📋 Recipe
Best Vegan Meatloaf Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup green split peas - cooked
- 14 ounces chickpeas - canned and drained
- 1 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup bread crumbs - use gluten free if needed
- 2 cups portobello mushrooms - diced small or pulse in the food processor a few times
- ½ cup onion - onion, diced small or pulse in the food processor a few times
- ½ cup carrots - diced small or pulse in the food processor a few times
- 4 tablespoons raw hemp hearts
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tamari
- 2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
Instructions
- Get out a large mixing bowl, a food processor and a baking sheet.
- Cut a piece of parchment paper and place inside the baking sheet. Set aside.
- Cook the dried split green peas. Drain and then spread out on a couple of paper towels to get more water off of the legumes.
- Heat a couple of tablespoons of water in a skillet and heat to boiling and add the onions, mushrooms, and carrots. Turn down the heat and sauté for 10 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas and rolled oats to the food processor and pulse a few times to make pieces a bit smaller but not by much. Turn into the large bowl.
- To the large bowl add the cooked split peas, the mushroom mixture, bread crumbs, hemp hearts, sage, salt, and pepper.
- Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, tamari, and vegan mayonnaise. Mix well until well combined.
- With your hands, press all of the ingredients into two balls. This is easier to transfer to the baking pan.
- Place on the parchment paper on the baking sheet and press the two rounds next to each other and then into each other. Pinch the seam together and start shaping into a loaf.
- The shaped loaf size is 8" x 5" x 1 ½"
- Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes until the loaf is golden brown.
Bryan
I definitely want to try this out with your scalloped potatoes recipe that you recommended. They look like a great combination for dinner!
Ginny McMeans
That's great Bryan! Thanks so much for your kind words too. Hope you love it all!
Caitlyn Erhardt
This is such a good idea! My family tries to get a vegan dinner in at least once a week and I can't wait to try this one!
David @ Cooking Chat
Mmm, looks very hearty and substantial. I like both chickpeas and lentils as the protein when doing meatless meals. Will have to try this!
Danielle
I love making various vegetarian meatloaf recipes. The mushrooms and chickpeas in here really look delicious! I'm craving some now!
Natalie
Looks so delicious! I love the idea of making a vegan meatloaf!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
I am definitely going to have to give this a try! I often make meatloaf for friends when they come over, this is a great alternative for my vegan friends!
Jac Hives
what could be used instead of wheat gluten?
Ginny McMeans
You can sub almond flour or fine bread crumbs. They won't make the 'meatloaf' as firm as vital wheat gluten but it will still hold it's shape Jac.
Jane Nicholson
I made this faux meat loaf and love it. This one is a keeper. I found a recipie for mushroom gravy. Perfect together. Thanks for all your wonderful recipies.
Ginny McMeans
You are so welcome and I am so glad you loved it Jane!
Siw Tikkanen-Aldén
I made this loaf yesterday & I loved it <3 It's a delicious loaf & a great recipe. Thank you !
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Siw! I am so glad you loved it and thanks for letting us know. You are welcome.
Joanne
How long do you cook the split peas before adding to mixture?
Ginny McMeans
Split peas take about 30 to 45 minutes to cook them Joanne. Follow the directions on your package to get it exactly right.
Gabrielle Archer
Is Worcester sauce vegan? I dont think so.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, there are vegan Worcestershire Sauces Gabrielle. It's getting so much better for us out there. Here's one on amazon just for a visual. You can find this cheaper in the stores. Just read the labels. https://www.amazon.com/Wizards-Organic-Vegan-Worcestershire-Sauce/dp/B005F4F4OS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?keywords=vegan+worcestershire&qid=1564893303&s=gateway&sr=8-7&linkCode=sl1&tag=vif0e-20&linkId=c41ffe5ac38a95cc882153d177f1effe&language=en_US
Barbara
Um....the directions say to cook the onions, mushrooms and carrot but in the Q&A sections you tell someone they are added UN-cooked. Would you please clarify, I want to make this. Also I don’t have hemp heats. How will that affect the recipe? Thanks 😀
Ginny McMeans
They are cooked Barbara. This is an updated recipe and the first time around they weren't cooked. This time they are. The first recipe had vital wheat gluten in it (that recipe is added at the end of this post) and I found a lot of people wanted the recipe without vital wheat gluten because it was hard for them to find. Having said all of that you don't have to pre-cook them. The hemp hearts are 1/4 of a cup so I would add another 1/4 cup of oats for the substitute.
Ginny McMeans
I have added a recipe without the vital wheat gluten Jac. Both recipes are now on this page.
Emily Zielinski
Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I have sent it to my mum as she was looking for a good vegan recipe to make for Christmas dinner 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Wonderful Emily, thanks so much!
Ann
Tried this recipe last week and LOVED it! Great flavor and it stayed together well. Going to make it again today!
Ginny McMeans
I am so glad Ann! Thanks for letting me know and I really love it when there's a new recipe in the repertoire.
Elizabeth
Thank you for the delicious recipe. I served it with fried baby potatoes and salad.
Kendra
I have not tried any of your recipes yet, but I’m super excited to do so! My family of 6 includes 1 vegan, 3 vegetarians, and 2 “carnivores 😂”..
My husband is trying to cut out meat, and recently tried the Impossible Burgers, so I’m hoping these dishes will swing him over to our side!
Ginny McMeans
I hope so too Kendra! If you have any questions- please ask. 🙂
Kathy Wardley
I passed this recipe onto a friend and it was pronounced the best ever Vegan recipe.
I want to make it myself but cannot eat Mushrooms and also living in the UK we cannot get Hemp Heart nor Liquid Smoke.
Please can you give alternatives Ginny?
Thank you.
Kathy.