You will never believe how close these vegan sausages (Frankfurter) are to the real ones! Mind-blown! It’s smoky, flavorful, and has the perfect texture: super tender and chewy! This recipe is (almost) life-changing!
📔 What Are Frankfurters?
Frankfurters are smoked and seasoned sausages that are named after Frankfurt, the city where the sausages were first created.
Often called hot dogs in the US or knacks in Europe, these sausages are soft and smoky and can be used in various dishes.
🌭 How To Make Vegan Sausages (Frankfurter)
Many tests and trials went into this recipe, and I’m so happy to share it finally!
First, why make cocktail sausages instead of regular ones? Simply because 1) It’s cuter, 2) It’s easier to shape small sausages, 3) you can fit more cocktail sausages in a steamer, and 4) it makes the perfect amuse-bouche!
Now that we have made this clear, let’s start!
First, you want to squeeze the tofu into a nut milk bag to remove the extra moisture. Start with firm tofu, not the extra-firm one.
After squeezing, you should have removed about 1/3 cup of liquid. Do not try to remove more than that, as you still want the tofu a bit moist.
Next, transfer the drained tofu to a food processor and add the rest of the ingredients:
- Tapioca starch: To add elasticity and chewiness.
- Flour: It helps the sausages hold together and makes them firmer.
- Oil: To make the sausages richer and more tender.
- Maple Syrup: Frankfurters often have a subtle sweetness that balances with the spices.
- Tomato paste: To add color, but also for extra umami.
- Soy sauce: Here, we went with dark soy sauce, again it is mostly for color.
- Spices: White pepper, coriander, nutmeg, and smoked paprika. Do not omit any of the spices; it’s very important to give the sausages an authentic flavor.
- Liquid smoke: While optional, it brings a nice smokiness to the sausages.
If you own a stovetop smoker, you can definitely omit the liquid smoke and smoke the sausages with your favorite wood chips in a smoker for about 5 minutes. The flavor will be even better!
Once you have processed all of the ingredients into a paste, wrap about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture in cling film and twist the ends to close.
The texture of the mixture should be quite sticky. You will have to use oiled hands to prevent it from sticking. If the mixture appears too dry or too easy to work with, add a little bit more water. Otherwise, your sausages will not be tender.
Repeat with the remaining mixture, and steam the cocktail sausages for about 12 minutes.
The sausages will appear pale at first but don’t worry. They will get a beautiful light brown color after steaming!
Right after steaming, you might find the sausages too peppery, which is normal. I highly recommend preparing these one day ahead to let spices mellow down a little bit.
Note: Be aware these sausages are missing that thin skin that is present on real Frankfurters. It could probably be done by wrapping each sausage in wet rice paper or tofu skin, but I do not believe it would be worth the effort, especially if planning to use these sausages in recipes like stews, soup, or stir-fries.
🍽 Where to Use Vegan Sausages
These mini sausages are incredibly versatile and can be used in many dishes:
- Stews and soups: I would say that’s where these cocktail sausages really shine! The sausages get perfectly tender and juicy in stews!
- Hot dogs: Yes, these are also perfect for hot dogs! Use 3-4 cocktail sausages or one large one.
- Stir-fries: Cut into thick slices and stir-fried with veggies.
- Amuse-bouche: Reheat the sausages in a hot pot of water and serve warm with drinks on the side!
💬 FAQ
While I haven’t personally tried this recipe, it should work! I recommend using Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour, which I had good results with in the past.
I would not recommend it. Tapioca starch brings elasticity and gives the sausages the perfect texture. Other starches will not yield the same result.
Yes, the mixture is supposed to be sticky. That’s why you must use oiled hands to scoop out the mixture before wrapping it in plastic film. Once steamed, the mixture will firm up.
While I haven’t tried, I believe you could wrap the sausages in parchment paper. It won’t be as easy, but it should work.
Yes! However, you might only be able to fit 3-4 sausages depending on the size of your steamer, so you will have to steam in two or three batches. Steaming time stays the same. Be aware that shaping longer sausages is a little bit more difficult.
For the best flavor, you should let the sausages rest overnight in the refrigerator (after steaming). Spices will mellow down and merge together. If you are planning to use it the same day, feel free to reduce the amount of white pepper.
Unfortunately no. Baking the sausages will not only make them dry but also won’t give you the same texture.
Definitely! Just like regular Frankfurter sausages, you can even grill them!
Nope! The sausages will keep their shape and won’t disintegrate in soups.
If you plan to serve these as an appetizer or amuse-bouche, reheat the sausages in a pot of water over the stove.
I can safely say that you won’t find a better vegan Frankfurter sausage recipe! Yes, it’s THAT good. Shaping each sausage takes some time, but the result is definitely worth it!
These vegan Frankfurters are super tender, perfectly spiced, and so meaty!
🍗 More Plant-Based Meat Alternative Recipes
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
Vegan Sausages (Frankfurter)
Ingredients
- 14 ounces medium tofu
- 5 tbsp tapioca starch
- 2 and 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce optional, for color
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp each: ground coriander, white pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp liquid smoke optional
Instructions
- Place the tofu in a nut milk bag and squeeze with your hands to remove the moisture. You should remove 1/4 to 1/3 cup of liquid, depending on the brand of tofu used.
- Transfer the drained tofu to a food processor and add the tapioca starch, flour, oil, maple syrup, tomato paste, dark soy sauce, salt, spices, and liquid smoke if using. Process for about 10 seconds, or until it forms a smooth and sticky paste.
- Cut four 3.5×3-inch squares of cling film and place them on your counter. Scoop out about 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture and roll it gently into a ball using slightly oiled hands. Place the ball on one of the cling film squares. Repeat with 3 more balls. Wrap each ball tightly in the cling film, slightly pressing with your fingers to create a short log. Twist the ends of the cling film tightly to enclose the mixture. Place the 4 cocktail sausages in a bamboo steamer basket and repeat this step until you have used all of the mixture. You should end up with 25-27 cocktail sausages and fill the basket.
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil (the pot should be slightly smaller than your bamboo steamer basket). Once boiling, place the bamboo steamer basket on top of the pot and steam for 12 minutes. Do not open the lid.
- Remove from heat, open the lid, and let cool for 3-5 minutes. Unwrap each sausage while still warm, and transfer to a plate.
- Use the sausages in stews, soups, stir-fries, or as an amuse-bouche!
- These sausages will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Sausages are best served warm. If planning to serve as an amuse-bouche, reheat in a pot of water.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Wow that a great recipe! So simple and they look delicious too. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks Rita! 🙂
I’m intrigued but want to avoid single use plastic. I looked up silicone molds for steaming. They are available. Also do you think that Nasoya Organic Super Firm Tofu would work?
You could try using parchment paper (use a thin one), I think that should work as well.
Regarding the tofu, I don’t know this brand, sorry. I would not recommend super firm tofu though.
Thee look good. Can I steam them in an Instant Pot and if so for how long?
Thanks!
Thanks Deb,
I am not exactly sure about the process to steam in the Instant Pot without pressure cooking. I would guess you must place a towel between the lid and the pot, and maybe set the Instant Pot on sauté with water in the pot. Make sure you don’t pressure cook these.
Ok. Thanks Thomas. My pot has steam on it. But, that said, it’s also a pressure cooker.
These look great. If you want to up the smoky factor, you could use smoked salt instead of regular salt. Smoked salts have a much better flavor than liquid smoke. And they are have endless possibilities. It’s one of my secret ingredients I use all the time. 🙂
Thanks Renee!
I may have to try a different brand of smoked salt then, because the ones I tried were not adding a lot of smoky flavor without having to add a ton of salt.
Can you wrap the sausages in spring roll wrappers instead of plastic wrap? Then you can eat the sausages without having to take the plastic wrap first.
I haven’t tried so I’m not sure how the rice paper would hold up.
Make sure that the salt is naturally smoked. Some salts are artifically flavored. I have also found the mesquite smoked salt to be the strongest flavor, but I do really like applewood too.
Thanks, I will check it out!
Wow. Am I the only one who had a bad outcome? After 12 minutes in the bamboo steamer, they we’re soft and doughy. I added 10 more minutes, but they were still sort of doughy and mealy. Did I do something wrong? They certainly weren’t close to the texture of a cocktail wiener.
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with this recipe. 12 minutes is more than enough to cook the sausages and give them a soft but definitely not doughy texture. I’m also surprised you have getting a mealy texture.
Did you use the exact ingredients and ratio? How was the texture of the mixture before steaming, soft and sticky? You can check the video to see the consistency you should have before steaming.
Hi Thomas, do you think its possible to cook these with your recipe, and then bake them again? I would like to attempt to make these as pigs in a blanket. Thanks for your work on this recipe
Hi Charissa!
Definitely! You can bake or sauté these sausages with no issue.
I watched the video and followed all directions. They were definitely doughy 🙁 I used Trader Joe’s firm tofu. Maybe another brand might have worked better.
The issue with tofu is that depending on the brand, it doesn’t always have the same texture. A medium tofu might work better in your case.
Thank you
You’re welcome!
Hello Thomas!
Great recipe! The flavor and aroma is spot on! Mine came out a little mushy, kind of rubbery like they are undercooked. I tried cooking them another 5 minutes for a total of 17 minutes and that didn’t help. I re-read the details in your blog and I think I might have taken out too much water from the tofu. I squeezed out a bit over a half cup of water, the tofu was very dry. I’m thinking there was not enough water to properly hydrate the AP or tapioca flour and that prevented the frankfurters from forming a more solid texture. No worries though, I’m not picky about texture and they are so tasty I’ll eat them anyway. Thanks for all your great recipes, they are much appreciated!
Hi Robert,
Thanks for your feedback and kind words!
It seems the type of tofu used can affect the texture a lot. The tofu I used doesn’t have a label regarding its type of firmness, but I would say it’s between a soft and medium tofu. Maybe next time try a softer type of tofu.
Am I right in thinking, I could make this larger to fit a bit dog roll! Plus can they be frozen?
Yes, you can shape them into longer/larger sausages.
Regarding freezing, I haven’t tried it yet!
Wow, these look so cool You are incredibly creative, Thomas!
Thanks Therese!
Excellent
Hello Thomas,
Thank you for this recipe!
I want to try it but I can’t find the quantity of liquid smoke in the ingredients. You mention it’s optional in the intro but don’t list it in the ingredients. It’s like 1/2 tsp?
Have a nice day !
Hi Laetitia,
You’re welcome! If you want to add liquid smoke, use 1/8 tsp.
Thanks, you too!
Hi Thomas
Thanks for this recipe, sounds awesome ! Do you think I could use Okara instead of tofu ?
Hi Cass,
It might work but I’m afraid you will not get the same smooth and tender texture.
Thank you Thomas, these were easy and delicious and make great little snacks. I am also trying not to use plastic much so I’ll try with parchment next time.
Thanks for your feedback Milly! 🙂
Hi Thomas, any suggestion to make these gluten free?
Thank you
Hi Marijana,
You could try using a gluten-free flour blend. I haven’t tried it personally yet though.
Hi, looking at making this recipe. I don’t see “medium” tofu anywhere. Seems that it goes from silken, to firm, to extra firm. Would medium be “firm” ?
Yes, sometimes brands use “firm” instead of “medium”.
Very well organized and detailed recipe. Love the look of the finished frankfurters and the use of tofu rather than seitan. Thank you for posting!! I will make this recipe and prepare hot dogs.
Hope you will like it 😉
Amazing recipe Thomas. Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome Tommy!
If we wanted to make it a hot dog size, do you think this would work? Double, triple recipe? Can we steam in instant pot and for how long?
Thanks!
Yes, it will work with larger sausages and I would recommend doubling the recipe in this case. Be aware though, that it won’t be as easy to shape longer sausages since the mixture is quite sticky (use oiled hands to make it easier).
Regarding steaming in the Instant Pot, I haven’t tried it yet.