This Vegetable Pate is rich and smooth with a delicious nutty crunch. It makes a great spreadable snack to enjoy with crackers, celery, fresh bread, or toast and is naturally vegan.
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Next time you’re creating a dreamy vegan cheese board or needing tasty lunch, make sure to include a serving of this Vegetable Pate. Decadent, smooth, and rich, you’ll love spreading this nutty spread onto sourdough bread, crackers, yeast-free spelt bread or even in sandwiches.
You can whip this vegan pate up in a food processor, using just a handful of simple ingredients then leave it in the fridge overnight to let the flavours mingle and for it to firm up.
In this post:
What Is Pate?
Traditional pate is a soft and spreadable meat product that almost always contains liver. Ground meat, herbs, and seasonings are added for texture and flavour. It is served cold and spread onto crackers and bread.
Vegan pate, however, is made purely from vegetables, seeds, and seasonings (and is much more appealing than the meat version if I do say so myself!). It might seem like an unlikely combination of ingredients, but it tastes so good and the texture is great!
Ingredients
The ingredients in this vegetarian pate recipe are simple and straightforward. Here is what you need at a glance:
- Potatoes and carrots - The hardy root vegetables everyone loves! These will be roasted which means extra amazing flavours.
- Onion and garlic - These 2 are the dream team! They’ll be roasted along with the potatoes and carrots.
- Olive oil - Just a tiny bit to stop the veggies sticking as they roast. You can omit it though if you prefer.
- Vegan butter - Optional. It adds some richness like non-vegan pate, but feel free to omit it. It's still good without!
- Raw sunflower seeds - To add texture and give the pate firmness, substance and flavour.
- Nutritional yeast - Otherwise known as vegan gold (or nooch). It's full of savoury flavour and adds necessary umami to this recipe.
- Ground flax - This binds everything together and sets the pate.
- Oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper - Flavour and balance.
- Walnuts or pecans - For texture and flavour. Their nutty crunch works really well with the soft pate. You can omit them if you are nut-free.
You’ll also need a food processor, baking tray, and 1 or 2 small containers (or ramekins) to make this recipe.
How To Make Vegetable Pate
For such few and simple ingredients, the deep layers of flavour within this vegetable pate are outstanding. All you really need to do is roast the veggies, pulse them in a food processor with the other ingredients, and then let the pate sit overnight. Here's a quick run-through:
Step 1 - Roast the potatoes, carrots, onion, and garlic cloves on a baking tray for about 30 minutes or until tender. Essential for great sweet veggie flavour! Here they are before roasting and after:
Step 2 - Put all of the ingredients (but not the nuts) into a food processor and process until almost smooth (it should still have a slightly chunky texture). Here it is before processing and after:
Step 3 - Add in the nuts and pulse until they’re broken into small pieces and incorporated into the mixture, then spoon the pate into containers. If you want to be able to turn the pate out, line the containers with clingwrap.
Step 5 - Refrigerate overnight then enjoy!
Success Tips
- Roasting the vegetables will give the pate the best flavour and texture. Don't use boiled or steamed vegetables.
- Ground flax is essential in this recipe. Don't remove it or the pate won't set properly.
- Want more flavour? Toast the walnuts/pecans for a few minutes in a skillet on the stovetop before blending them into the mixture.
- Want to keep it oil-free? Be sure to line your baking tray with nonstick parchment paper or a silicone baking mat before roasting the veggies and omit the optional vegan butter.
- Be sure to let it set overnight, not just for texture but also for the flavours to fully develop.
Variations
- Omit the oil and butter for an oil-free vegan pate.
- Use any type of dried herbs that you like instead of the oregano. Basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, or a mixed herb blend all work well.
- Chipotle powder can be used as a replacement if you can’t find smoked paprika.
- Need it to be nut-free? Replace the walnuts/pecans with more sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds, or just omit them.
- Add some cooked lentils, roasted bell peppers, chili flakes, sun-dried tomatoes or olives for some variation. Just make sure whatever you add doesn't have too much moisture or it will affect the texture of the pate.
Serving Suggestions
Include it on a vegan charcuterie or vegan cheese plate, bring it to your holiday celebrations, potlucks and parties, or enjoy it as a quick lunch or fancy snack. You can’t go wrong!
My spreadable vegan pate is so flexible and can be eaten with veggies, crackers, and more! My favourite way to enjoy it is on freshly baked bread and butter. Here are some other ideas:
- As an appetizer or for lunch
- Include it on a veggie platter with hummus, bread and crackers.
- With fresh bread or baguette
- With pita bread or flatbreads
- on toast
- On vegan cheeseboards
- With breadsticks
- on my gluten-free seed bread
- With a glass of white wine
- On crostini
- With slices of homemade vegan cheese and crackers
- Spread in sandwiches with some tomato or onion chutney and salad leaves. It makes a great alternative to more traditional sandwich fillings.
- On crackers or veggies (like celery or carrots)
Storage & Freezing
Keep the pate in the dish covered in plastic wrap, or in an airtight container. The flavours actually get better with a bit of time. It will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Wondering if you can freeze vegetable pate? Well, you're in luck because it freezes perfectly for up to 3 months. I like to freeze the pate in silicone ice cube trays which I then seal inside a freezer bag or container. That way if I just want a little snack I can pop out one cube, let it defrost for half an hour, and then spread it on a couple of crackers or some bread.
If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!
Recipe
Vegetable Pate
Author:WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Ingredients
- 2 medium (356 grams) potatoes , peeled and cut into chunks
- 3 medium (240 grams) carrots , peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 medium (190 grams) onion , peeled and cut into wedges
- 4 cloves garlic , peeled
- 2 teaspoons olive oil , or other oil of choice, OPTIONAL
- ½ cup (70 grams) raw sunflower seeds (hulled)
- 4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- ½ cup (48 grams) ground flax
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter OPTIONAL
- 1½ teaspoons fine salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or any other dried herbs that you like)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika , or chipotle powder
- ¼ cup (30 grams) chopped pecans or walnuts , or sunflower/pumpkin seeds for nut-free
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200 °C).
- Put the chopped potatoes, carrots, onion and whole garlic cloves onto a baking tray and toss with the olive oil. Bake for about 35 minutes or until fork-tender. If you aren't using oil be sure to use non-stick parchment paper or a silicone mat. Once tender remove from the oven.
- Put the cooked vegetables, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, ground flax, optional vegan butter, salt, pepper, oregano and smoked paprika into a food processor and process until almost smooth but with a bit of texture left. It will look a bit gummy and strange at this point but that's normal so don't worry.
- Add the walnuts/pecans and pulse so they are distributed throughout. Don't process for too long as you want a bit of texture left there.
- Either spoon into containers (small terracotta bowls or ramekins look nice), or line small containers with clingwrap if you want to be able to turn the pate out once it has set. Pack the pate in really tight, then cover and refrigerate overnight or longer.
- Once set, to serve, spread straight from the container, or turn it out of the container and remove the clingwrap.
NOTES
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Emmie says
Would this work with sweet paprika instead of smoked? I'm not keen on smoky flavours.
Melanie McDonald says
I think it would be fine. Or just omit it.
Deb says
Delicious! We love it in sandwiches and on crackers. The best veggie pate I've tried!
Deb Me says
I have eaten veggie pate for years. I followed this recipe exactly, too many mushy vegetables, binding agent wasn't enough. It was mushy and runny and sweet from the carrots. Not enough spices not enough salt and pepper will not make this again.
Melanie McDonald says
It sounds to me like something went wrong on your end. This is a very tried and true recipe and the pate is far from mushy and runny. There is also more than enough ground flax to bind and set it and loads of salt and pepper. I'm happy to troubleshoot what went wrong though. Did you change anything no matter how small? Ingredients, cooking method, setting time etc? If you didn't roast the veggies as per the directions that could be a reason for it being mushy. They need to be roasted for the recipe to work well and not boiled/steamed.
Patricia G says
Finally tried this recipe- AMAAAAZING! Used aqua faba instead of oil, worked well except edges of potatoes and carrots seemed still a bit hard after roasting. Lifted it all up by the parchment sheet and put it into a covered casserole dish to cook down. It all softened up beautifully. Only question- would like a bit more umami without increasing salt too much - would mushrooms work?
Annie says
Who knew A few roasted veggies and a dash of a few pantry staples could be turned into something so delicious! I was skeptical that we’d be able to eat the whole amount (I try to not freeze too many things or my freezer would be overflowing) but after a day it’s nearly gone! Excellent recipe!! Thank you:)
Lynne says
This recipe has become such a favourite of ours that I now make it in GIANT quantities. I use a kilogram of cauliflower (instead of potatoes) and a kilogram of carrots, plus four times all the other ingredients. I have to put it into the food processor in batches and then mix it all together in a huge bowl. It makes 10-12 small storage containers (12 ounces each) of paté that I keep in the freezer. It is very handy to always have some available when I need a quick appetizer when we have guests (vegan or not). This recipe is extremely versatile and I have made it with a variety of vegetables, but settled on cauliflower in order to get my cruciferous vegetables. THANK YOU for yet another recipe that is a staple in my kitchen.
A Virtual Vegan says
You could. Just use the same amount.
Anita says
Hi I would love to make this for a friend who is alergic to sunflower seeds can I use nuts instead and what nut almonds or cashews and how much do i use .
Thanks for a lovely recipe
A Virtual Vegan says
You could use any raw nuts. Cashews or almonds would be great. Pumpkin seeds would work too. Just use the same amount. I hope your friend enjoys it!
Adriana says
Hello, I really want to try this out so much but can’t access flax seeds atm. I have plenty of chia seeds, can I substitute flax for chia? And if so, what quantity would you recommend? Thanks
A Virtual Vegan says
I haven't tried it so don't know for sure how it would turn out. I think it would be ok as long as you grind them up to a very fine powder first. Don't leave them whole as the texture will be awful. I would start off with the same amount. That might need adjusting to firm it up more or make it less firm, but you won't know until you try it the first time. Hope that helps!
Adriana says
Thanks for the advice. I tried to crush the chia into powder with no success, I threw around a tablespoon of whole chia into the mix and it turned out fine. Unsure if it’s the same texture as the recipe (likely isn’t), but I could spread it on bread and it was DELICIOUS so I have no complaints. Thanks for the recipe!!
Lynne Wright says
Thanks, Mel, for another fabulous recipe. This is one of our new favourites for munching. We often have some on crackers while we're preparing dinner. It is an extremely versatile recipe and I have made it with leftover yams (to replace the potatoes and carrots), more or less nuts or seeds (depending on how much and what vegetables I have as leftovers), and added some liquid smoke or soy sauce. I don't think it's ever been the same and we've always loved it. It's become a little addictive for us. I don't have to worry about how long it will keep in the fridge or if it freezes, because it never lasts that long. It's filled with healthy ingredients so we enjoy it guilt-free.
A Virtual Vegan says
Thank you Lynne. I'm really pleased you're enjoying it so much and thank you for taking the time to leave a rating/review. It's much appreciated!
Rachel says
How long does this keep for in the fridge? Also, does it freeze well?
A Virtual Vegan says
It freezes really well. I tend to freeze it in silicone ice cube trays wrapped in a freezer bag, so that I can just pop out enough for 1 or 2 small serving at a a time. In the fridge it will last 5 - 6 days.
Ruth says
Can I miss the walnuts out? I have a nut allergy so more seeds perhaps?
A Virtual Vegan says
Yes you can. It won't affect the recipe at all except you won't get that nice crunch but if you are happy with it being smith then that's fine. You could also add some more seeds for the crunch. Pumpkin seeds might be nice just broken down a bit as they are pretty big. Enjoy!
crystalbonnet says
oooh yum! This is so good and I love your blog, it's beautiful!!
A Virtual Vegan says
Aaww thanks! I am so glad you like it!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
Can I omit the nutritional yeast or substitute it with something else? I am not vegan, but this sounds quite tasty.
A Virtual Vegan says
Hi Julia. I made it without the nutritional yeast when I was developing the recipe and it wasn't nearly as good. It gives it a good savoury flavour and helps absorb some moisture too. You could omit it and use extra flax in its place but it wouldn't be so flavourful. Nutritional yeast just does something great for the flavour!
If you don't want to buy a massive bag of nutritional yeast check the bulk bins at your local grocery store and just buy what you need for this recipe perhaps?