Ingredients and Substitutions for Vegan Paella
Vegan Paella Broth
Dried kelp: Substitute with some dried mushrooms and/or soy sauce for that signature funky salty umami kick. Aromatics: Sage and bay leaves give the paella broth an earthiness. Saffron: Saffron lends a very subtle sweet earthy flavor. If you cannot find it, ground turmeric is your best option but make sure you do not use too much because turmeric is much less subtle.
Vegan Paella Proteins
Seitan chorizo: Alternatively use smoked tofu, vegan sausage, tempeh, or tofu if you do not have seitan chorizo available.
Vegan Paella Vegetables
Onion: Onion is a fantastic base for most rice dishes. Roma tomatoes: Use the best tomatoes you can find for this. Canned is totally fine if tomatoes are not in season yet! Zucchini (courgette): Squash also works if you do not like zucchinis or cannot find them easily. Eggplant (aubergine): Eggplants will melt in the paella and give it a creamy texture, so try not to skip them!
Vegan Paella Seasonings
Salt: Good old trusty salt to bring out all the flavors. Garlic: With one clove per serving, this recipe uses a relatively large amount of garlic, but trust me it is not too much. Smoked paprika: Chipotle powder also works if you do not have smoked paprika on hand. Cayenne pepper: This is optional if you like your vegan paella spicy. You can also add a chopped chili pepper of your choice (serrano peppers, jalepeño, etc.) in with the vegetables if you want to add a fruity flavor profile as well as some heat.
Additional Ingredients
Short-grain rice: Bomba rice is the most traditional option, but Arborio rice, which is Italian, works fine as well and has a lot of similar properties and uses. If you use Arborio rice, add a little bit more broth to the paella, as Arborio rice has more starch in it and will thicken the dish more. Read more about the comparison between Spanish rice varieties here. Optionally: Add some pitted olives, cooked mushrooms, or peas to the vegan paella if you want to up the vegetables. Lemon: The juice of a lemon is the perfect topper to the vegan paella. If you want the lemon flavor without all the sourness, lemon zest is a great garnish. Fresh parsley or coriander: Feel free to experiment with other garnishes like spring onion tops or mint if you prefer.
How to Make Vegan Paella
Prepare the Broth
In a large pot, boil a 5×10 cm piece of dried kelp with sage and bay leaves for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let the broth cool slightly. Add a pinch of saffron and adjust the flavors to taste.
Cook the Protein
Choose your preferred vegan protein (seitan chorizo, smoked tofu, vegan sausage, tempeh, or tofu). Cook according to package instructions or your preference. Set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables
In a large, flat-bottomed pan, heat a small amount of oil. Add the diced onion and a selection of vegetables (tomatoes, courgette, eggplant, bell pepper). Cook uncovered with a pinch of salt until the vegetables are slightly soft.
Add Garlic and Seasonings
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for a few more minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of smoked paprika and cayenne pepper if using. Mix well to coat the vegetables
Combine Proteins and Vegetables
Add the cooked proteins to the pan. Optionally, add olives, cooked mushrooms, and frozen peas for extra flavor and texture.
Add the Rice
Sprinkle the rice evenly over the dish. Gently mix to distribute the rice without overcrowding the pan. Ensure the rice is spread out in a thin layer for even cooking.
Pour the Broth
Pour the prepared broth into the pan until the ingredients are just covered by about 1/2 cm of broth. It’s better to add less initially and adjust later if needed.
Cook the Vegan Paella
Cook the paella uncovered on medium heat for 10-12 minutes. Avoid cranking up the heat too much to prevent burning the bottom. Add more broth if necessary.
Rest the Vegan Paella
Turn off the heat and cover the pan. Let the paella rest for about 15 minutes. If the rice is still a bit uncooked, add more broth, heat for 2 minutes, and let it rest again for 5 minutes.
Finish and Serve the Vegan Paella
Juice a lemon over the top of the paella and garnish with fresh parsley or coriander. Serve warm and enjoy your delicious vegan paella!
Tips for the Best Vegan Paella
Use a good quality saffron for an authentic flavor. Avoid stirring the rice too much to achieve the perfect paella texture. Experiment with different vegetables and proteins to suit your taste.
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