Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get Self-Reliant Seitan?
Self-Reliant Seitan does not currently have a storefront and we do not ship due to environmental impact.
We vend at various farmers markets and events in Pittsburgh. Please see our market and event schedule here.
Our products are available at various stores and neighborhood markets in the Pittsburgh area. Please see our list of current retail partners.
We also offer free pick up in Munhall (15120) or delivery within Pittsburgh city limits for a $5 delivery fee on Saturdays. See map below of Pittsburgh city limits. We do not deliver outside of this area.
Preorders for Saturday pickup and delivery close at 5pm on Thursdays. You will select a pickup/delivery option at checkout.
- Can I find Self-Reliant Seitan products in stores?
- Which restaurants use Self-Reliant Seitan products?
- What is Seitan?
Seitan, also known as wheat gluten or wheat meat, is a plant-based meat alternative made from the gluten protein of the wheat grain.
We make our seitan by adding flavorings and water to Vital Wheat Gluten (VWG) to create a dough. The dough is kneaded to reactivate the gluten, and then cooked by steaming, baking, or boiling.
- Can I freeze seitan? How do I store it? How long does it stay fresh?
Yes! Seitan freezes really well. Just one of the many reasons to love it. Our seitan can be kept frozen for up to 8 months in the freezer. Thawed in the fridge, seitan will last for up to 14 days. Thaw before use.
- How do I use seitan?
Our seitan is precooked and preseasoned! You can use it cold on sandwiches or salads or use it in your favorite recipes. Since it is already cooked it only needs to be heated through, so cook it for a shorter time than a meat recipe calls for. Cooking it for too long will dry it out.
Seitan is super versatile. You can sauté, marinate, roast, grill, fry, you name it! You can use our Chick'n Shreds or Beefy Shreds in any recipe that calls for chicken or beef, or in vegan recipes that call for something like Gardein or Beyond Meat. Our steak strips can be used in any recipe calling for steak, such as cheesesteaks, fajitas, tacos, pasta etc
For our Bac'n and Breakfast Patties we recommend that you fry them in a pan with a little bit of oil until browned. Use as you would bacon or sausage patties, as a breakfast side, on a breakfast or lunch sandwich, in pasta, etc!
Check out our Featured Recipes page for ideas!
- Can seitan be made gluten free?
Unfortunately, no. Seitan, also known as Wheat Meat, is by definition made of wheat gluten. All current Self-Reliant Seitan products contain gluten. We hope to offer gluten free products soon!
- Is Self-Reliant Seitan Kosher certified?
Unfortunately, no. We have decided not to pursue Kosher certification at this time.
- Why does SRS use MSG? Isn't that bad for you?
In short, no, MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) is not bad for you. MSG is a type of salt naturally present in some foods such as tomatoes, beets and corn. MSG is produced by the fermentation of starch, sugar beets, sugar cane or molasses. We use MSG as a low-sodium flavoring to increase the umami flavor of our seitan. Skeptical customers are encouraged to look into the issue further.
- How is Self-Reliant Seitan packaged?
We are in the process of switching our packaging to freezer paper to extended the shelf life of our products. The freezer paper prevents our product from drying out.
Ground varieties will be wrapped in wax paper and then freezer paper. This wax paper is home compostable. The freezer paper is plastic lined and must be sent to the landfill.
Ground varieties will be wrapped in wax paper and then freezer paper. This wax paper is home compostable. The freezer paper is plastic lined and must be sent to the landfill.
- Do you ship?
No. Self-Reliant Seitan is a small, Pittsburgh local business and does not ship. We are a low waste business and shipping food products that need to stay cold is very resource intensive.
- What is your refund policy?
We do not provide refunds once you have your order in your possession. We will consider refunds for orders placed that have not been fulfilled. Please send us an email at [email protected] if you have questions about a refund.