10 Creative Plant-Based “Scallop” Recipes Made with Vegetables

Did you know that scallops can be made out of tofu, mushrooms, and even turnips? Check out these 15 recipes featuring vegan scallops!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! And, don’t forget to check out our Vegan Seafood Archives!

1. Tofu ‘Scallops’

Image Source: Tofu ‘Scallops’

These Tofu ‘Scallops’ by Rhea Parsons are so delicious and they make a beautiful presentation. Serve them over pasta or in a scampi or just make a bunch to serve as an appetizer or hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy!

2. Pan-Seared Tofu Scallops

Image Source: Pan-Seared Tofu Scallops

These Pan-Seared Tofu Scallops by Joanne Lee could be coming out of the kitchen at any five-star restaurant around but tonight – it’s coming out of your kitchen. The is elegant mock scallop is pan seared on each side, garnished in a spicy orange Korean glaze, and served in a pool of homemade miso broth. This dish combines the deep salty and umami flavors of the miso broth with the sweet and spicy sauce to run the gambit of flavors in an entree that is truly spectacular.

3. Miso Glazed Eggplant ‘Scallops’

Image Source: Miso Glazed Eggplant ‘Scallops’

These Miso Glazed Eggplant ‘Scallops’ by Johanne Rosenthal are the perfect in-between seasons meal. You could treat it as a celebration of late summer bounty or a hot meal to be eaten under fuzzy blankets on the first day of fall. Japanese eggplant is a wonderful vegan stand-in for scallops that beautifully soaks up the miso marinade. Serve these miso-glazed “scallops” over black lentils, brown rice, or over a smashed baked sweet potato.

4. Turnip ‘Scallops’ de Provence

Image Source: Turnip ‘Scallops’ de Provence

These Turnip ‘Scallops’ de Provence by Annie McGee will give you an absolutely incredible turnip scallop – crispy on the outside and fork-tender in the middle. The lightly breaded turnips are breaded and then pan-seared in a garlic-infused (it’s made during the process of cooking the other ingredients) oil and then topped with a light, subtle white wine reduction. This is a meal that you’ll want to show off.

5. Lemon and Garlic Oyster Mushroom Scallops

Image Source: Lemon and Garlic Oyster Mushroom Scallops

Mushrooms are usually served as a side dish, but they are also a great substitute for meat in a lot of plant-based recipes. Their meaty texture makes them great to use as a base for the scallops, like in this Lemon and Garlic Oyster Mushroom Scallops recipe by Desiree Rodriguez.

6. Bacon-Wrapped Scallop Mushrooms

Image Source: Bacon-Wrapped Scallop Mushrooms

In these Bacon-Wrapped Scallop Mushrooms by Gabrielle St. Claire, succulent Oyster mushrooms are cooked until they reach the texture similar to scallops and then are wrapped in smoky veggie bacon. While they look fancy and intricate, they are actually super easy-to-make! Serve with fettuccini pasta for a deliciously unique dish.

7. Spicy and Seared Hearts of Palm Rounds

Image Source: Spicy and Seared Hearts of Palm Rounds

For a dish that you can really play with and make your own, check out this recipe for Spicy and Seared Hearts of Palm Rounds by Larice Feuerstein. Since hearts of palm do not contain a lot of flavor on their own, the tender rounds will easily absorb any and all seasonings and spices you pair with them. With just three ingredients, this simple dish can be made and enjoyed in less than 15 minutes!

8. King Mushroom ‘Scallops’

Image Source: King Mushroom ‘Scallops’

These King Mushroom ‘Scallops’ by Rebecca Coleman are the perfect starter for any party. The key to vegan scallops is King Mushrooms. When you slice the stems into rounds, they look exactly like scallops. They even have that slightly rubbery bite that you get with scallops. You could serve this on a platter or in individual portions on spoons. Either way, it’s an elegant starter for your next party.

9. King Oyster Scallops With Lemon Cashew Cream Sauce

Image Source: King Oyster Scallops With Lemon Cashew Cream Sauce

Scallops are one of the most popular seafood dishes due to their rich taste and flaky, buttery texture. But do not fret! You can still achieve the same luxurious flavors and textures thanks to these vegan scallops that use King Oyster mushrooms. The stems of these shrooms look so similar to scallops that you will hardly notice the difference in these King Oyster Scallops With Lemon Cashew Cream Sauce by Logan Dunn and Lexus Osman.

10. Oyster Mushroom Scallops With Pesto Pasta and Smoked Tofu Bacon

Image Source: Oyster Mushroom Scallops With Pesto Pasta and Smoked Tofu Bacon

If you want to impress and surprise your friends and family, go out and find some fresh King Oyster mushrooms and make this dish for them soon! They won’t believe their eyes or their taste buds when you tell them that the “scallops” are actually mushrooms in this Oyster Mushroom Scallops With Pesto Pasta and Smoked Tofu Bacon dish by Chris Bartis.

Cook More Plant-Based Meals at Home

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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