FAQ

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 Sunday mornings 9am-1pm May to November.  Please see our market and event schedule here. 

For the Winter season, we will be offering pickups and deliveries every other Saturday. Please see our Winter Preorder dates here. 
We will offer the options to pick up in East Liberty (6140 Station St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) 12-1pm, porch pickup in Munhall anytime Saturday, or receive delivery within Pittsburgh city limits for a $5 delivery fee Saturday 1-3pm.
Preorders for Saturday pickup and delivery close on the preceeding Friday at 5pm.
You will select a pickup/delivery option at checkout. 

  • 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?
Store seitan in an airtight container to prevent drying out or freezer burn. It can be kept frozen or thawed in the fridge. 
 
  • How long does it stay fresh?
Seitan will last 5-7 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer. For long term storage, please store in an airtight container. 
 
  • How do I use seitan?
Our seitan is already cooked and safe to eat as is! 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!
 
There is a stories highlight on our Instagram with meal ideas from our customers! 
 
  • Can seitan be made gluten free?
No, unfortunately. Seitan, also known as Wheat Meat, is by definition made of wheat gluten. All Self-Reliant Seitan products contain gluten.
 
  • 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 parchment paper and brown paper and seal it with masking tape making our packaging 100% home compostable. We recommend transferring the seitan to an airtight container when you get it home to prevent drying out. 
  • 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.