Is there such a thing as plantbased seafood? These vegan seafood recipes by superstar vegan chefs will show you that – yes – there are!
It’s not easy giving up seafood…
When I became a vegetarian at the age of 14, the only thing that I had a hard time giving up were tuna salad sandwiches. And I’ll admit that during that period of vegetarianism, before going vegan in my 40s, I did cheat sometimes on tuna fish sandwiches. To this day, I’m not sure why I craved them. I can only guess it was something nutritional, but then again, maybe it was just the taste? For some reason, when I became vegan, I totally lost interest and no longer craved them.
I always felt guilty about eating tuna fish because I don’t like the idea of any creature suffering, whether they’re the targeted fish or other marine animals, like dolphins, who are killed during the fishing process.
There are so many reasons not to eat animals from the sea…
Besides the ethical concerns, there are a host of other problems that come from eating marine animals. From an environmental standpoint, the world’s oceans are on the verge of biological collapse due to overfishing, pollution and acidification, and ocean warming from climate change. And if that’s not horrific enough, slave labor is used in many overseas commercial fishing operations. You can read more details about this in my post “Is Tuna Good for You?”
I realized that I’m not the only person in the world who would have a hard time giving up seafood. For this reason, I went on a quest to see if there were tasty find vegan seafood alternatives. I was floored to find out that – Yes, there are! In fact, I dedicated a whole blog post to recipes for vegan tuna salad. But what about other seafood dishes? Are their quality plantbased alternatives that could effectively convert regular seafood eaters to a more plantbased lifestyle? (And, it goes without saying, put a smile on vegans’ faces too?) The resounding answer to those questions was also – Yes!
Delicious Vegan Seafood Recipes
1. Vegan Sushi
Gaz Oakley, otherwise known as the Avant-Garde Vegan, is one of my favorite plantbased chefs. His YouTube videos are really fun to watch because he’s such a dedicated foodie. In this video, he shows you how to make delicious plantbased California rolls.
2. Vegan Hawaiian “Ahi” Poke
In this video, chef Marc Matsumoto shows you how to make a vegan version of classic Hawaiian-style ahi poke. Marc promises that his recipe will “recreate the velvety texture and briny taste of Hawaiian ahi poke.” He uses a kelp broth along with sesame oil, crisp sweet onions, seaweed, and inamona, which is a Hawaiian relish made from roasted kukui nut.
3. Vegan Crab Rangoon
A much craved munchie food, crab Rangoon is now available vegan style! Sherish of Midnight Munchies shows you how to make easy vegan crab Rangoon with gluten-free wontons.
4. Vegan Calamari & Shrimp
Someday, all bar food will be vegan… Until then, you have got to try this vegan calamari and shrimp recipes by Veggie Rose. It’s crispy, it’s crunchy, and it’s super good!
5. Vegan Crab Cakes
For those with seafood allergies, vegan seafood is a blessing. You don’t even have to give up the much loved favorite – crab cakes! In this video, chef Kristen Pound shares her recipes for light, fluffy, and flavorful plantbased crab cakes.
Ingredients include vegan mayonnaise and vegan Worcestershire sauce, lemon, hearts of palm, capers, minced shallot, nori, and a bunch of other yummy ingredients.
6. Vegan Fish Tacos
You don’t have to give up “fish” tacos if you go vegan either. Sarah’s Vegan recreates the popular dish using cauliflower for the fish part and she includes recipes for vegan slaw and tartar sauce. Sarah confesses that she had a hard time giving up seafood when she went vegan, so you can trust a former seafood lover to deliver on a tasty plantbased alternative.
7. Vegan Cajun Seafood Alfredo
For another super delish comfort food dish, check Eat More Plants’ decadent vegan Cajun seafood alfredo. This is definitely one to test on your never-vegan friends. It’s a crowd pleaser and they may never even guess that it’s plantbased.
8. Vegan “Scallops” and Spaghetti
Irene Coco Queen shows you that you don’t need real scallops in your scallops and spaghetti. Substituting mushroom stems for the scallops and using cashews to make a creamy “cheesy” sauce, she creates a yummy seafood-inspired pasta dish.
9. Vegan Lobster (Potato)
I always hated seeing live lobsters in tanks at the store, so I love the Sweetest Vegan coming up with this lobster tail alternative using none other than a potato!
10. Vegan Lobster Roll Sandwich
This “lobster” is actually made with a mushroom that is actually a fungus that eats mushrooms! Dubbed the “lobster mushroom,” it smells and tastes like lobster.
In this video, chef Sauce Stache makes a delicious, totally plantbased vegan lobster roll sandwich.
11. Vegan Fish and Chips
You didn’t think I’d forget the “fish” ‘n chips, did you? The Easy Vegan delivers on a flaky, tasty, crunchy, fluffy, tangy not-fish and definitely chips recipe that vegan and non-vegan non-seafood and seafood lovers will drool over! There’s also a recipe for plantbased tartar sauce. The Easy Vegan also shares his secret for getting that unmistakable seafood taste without hurting any fish.
For more plantbased seafood dishes, check out my post on vegan tuna salad recipes.
Enjoy!