Three Flawless Fish Substitutes for Vegans
For many vegans new to the cruelty-free lifestyle, the toughest part about making the switch can be summed up in a single word: seafood. This common protein source often holds significant cultural value, leaving many new vegans worrying that they may miss out on scrumptious meals like sushi, seafood chowders, or fried shrimp po-boys. Never fear! With these flawless fish substitutes for vegans, you won’t have to sacrifice your favorite meals.
Whether you’re dining in, ordering out, or cooking at home, Willow is here to help make vegan meal options delicious, easy, and utterly enjoyable!
Fish Substitutes for an Easy Switch
The easiest way to find your favorite vegan fish substitute is to experiment with options that imitate the texture and easily absorb new flavors. Take advantage of these appetizing fish substitutes, and you’ll never crave traditional seafood again!
Portobello Mushrooms
Popular for their healthy balance of vitamins and protein, portobello mushrooms are an essential ingredient in any vegan pantry. Their mild flavor, softly chewy texture, and absorbent nature allow portobello mushrooms to soak up whatever marinade you may choose, allowing them to serve as a fantastic fish substitute!
When you find yourself craving the lemony flavor of East Coast fish, try marinating your mushroom caps overnight in a mixture of lemon juice, rosemary, extra virgin olive oil, and soy sauce. The result will be a light, citrusy flavor that easily complements the traditional lemon juice doused fries of “fish and chips” meals.
Though the resilient texture of mushrooms holds up well to frying, try grilling your portobello mushroom caps for a chewy, hearty texture.
Jackfruit
Though you’ve likely already heard of portobello mushrooms working as a meat replacement, there’s another, far more unusual option quickly growing in popularity: jackfruit. This tropical tree fruit, common in many Asian cultures, is gaining speed in the United States as a fish substitute due to its stringy, chewy texture, which perfectly imitates the texture of flakey fish.
Though naturally on the sweet side when eaten ripe, this fruit can easily adopt a variety of flavors, and its robust nature holds up well to an assortment of cooking styles without falling apart or growing gummy. Don’t be dissuaded by its somewhat odd appearance; this unique fruit may be the exact fish substitute you’ve been searching for!
Try this delicious fruit battered and fried, cajun style, the next time you find yourself craving a po-boy or shrimp sandwich. Looking for something healthier? When marinated in tamari and grilled, jackfruit makes a great addition to any vegan sushi bowl, rice wrap, or spring roll. Get creative, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy everything this tropical fruit has to offer!
Marinated Tofu
With its spongy texture and general lack of flavor, tofu is a bean curd mixture pressed and designed to soak up and enhance whatever flavor you may desire at the moment, making it a fantastic fish substitute.
Start by pressing your tofu to remove any excess liquid, allowing it more room to soak up your homemade marinade. For an amazing, “fishy” flavor, marinate your tofu in white miso paste, low-sodium soy sauce, and nori. After allowing it to soak for at least two hours, use a knife to add thin slices roughly two-thirds into your tofu block. In doing so, you create a flakey texture similar to that of most grilled salmon or tuna.
Finally, sear the bottom of your tofu steak in a pre-heated, oiled pan until the bottom is blackened, with a mild crunch. Lower the heat, cover your pan and allow the steam to warm through the rest of your tofu. For extra flavor, add a bit of marinade to your pan to enhance the salty taste of your meal. Remove from the heat and enjoy this easy fish substitute!
Vegan Fish Substitutes the Willow Way
No one can be expected to cook a completely homemade meal every day, especially in today’s non-stop hustle culture. Allow Willow to take away your stress, and treat yourself to vegan seafood prepared by professionals! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a fine-cooked meal in our calming bistro environment.
If you’re searching for a fish substitute for vegans, you’ll love tasting options like:
- Our signature New England “Clam” Chowder served with oyster mushrooms, onions, celery, potatoes, bac’n bits, chives, baguette crostini
- An appetizer of Zalmon Tartare flavored with avocado, capers, dijon mustard, lemon, mayo, chives, black truffle caviar, taro root chips
- For your meal, enjoy “Scallop” Cacio e Pepe with organic semolina linguine, oyster mushroom “scallops,” wakame, creamy “parmesan” sauce, cracked black pepper, evoo, parsley
On the busiest days of the week, it can be hard to muster up the energy to go out. When cold weather drives you indoors, enjoy taking advantage of our pickup and delivery options. Explore our menu and order today!
