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 the Squirrel Hill Farmers Market, Bloomfield Saturday Market and Lawrenceville Farmers Marktet. Please see our market and event schedule here.
We also offer delivery within Pittsburgh city limits for a $5 delivery fee on Market Days.
Preorders for pickup and delivery close at 6pm on the day before the farmers market.
You will select a pickup/delivery option at checkout.
You can also try our plant-based meats on delicious breakfast items at 350° Bakery in Southside.
We vend at the Squirrel Hill Farmers Market, Bloomfield Saturday Market and Lawrenceville Farmers Marktet. Please see our market and event schedule here.
We also offer delivery within Pittsburgh city limits for a $5 delivery fee on Market Days.
Preorders for pickup and delivery close at 6pm on the day before the farmers market.
You can also try our plant-based meats on delicious breakfast items at 350° Bakery in Southside.
- 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?
Yes! Seitan freezes really well. Just one of the many reasons to love it. We recommend that you remove the seitan from it's eco-friendly packaging to store long term in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.
- How do I store seitan? How long does it stay fresh?
Store seitan in an airtight container to prevent drying out or freezer burn. It can be kept frozen for up to 6 months in the freezer. Thawed in the fridge, seitan will last for up to 10 days. For long term storage, please store in an airtight container.
- 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
The Bac'n and Breakfast Patties can be fried in a pan with a little bit of oil. 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?
No, unfortunately. 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, we are not Kosher certified at this time. We make our products out of a commercial kitchen where many things are not in our control and much of our equipment is shared. We hope to make changes in the near future that will allow us to become Kosher certified.
- 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 package our seitan deli-style in compostable wax paper and brown paper and seal it with masking tape. After use, recycle or compost the brown paper, home or industrially compost the inner wax paper, throw out the masking tape to send to 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.