15 Fantastically Fishy Plant-based Recipes

In the wonderful world of veganization, fish and seafood seem as though they would be the hardest to replicate. Fish has a very distinctive texture and taste that just seems too far from plant-based foodstuffs to really be convincing.

But, you have guessed it! Some really simple everyday items can be transformed into faux-fishy goodness. Whether it’s tofu, chickpeas, or sunflower seeds, you will be surprised at what passes for fish.

Combine those textures with some Old Bay seasoning or nori, and you are on for a fish supper like no other.

Take a look at these 15 Fantastically Fishy Plant-based Recipes by OGP next time you are craving a taste of the ocean.

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest meatless, vegan, plant-based, and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help you get healthy!

1. Baked ‘Fish’ Cakes With Lemon Herb Mayo

Source: Baked ‘Fish’ Cakes With Lemon Herb Mayo

These Baked ‘Fish’ Cakes With Lemon Herb Mayo by Jessica DeMarra are a lot lighter and healthier than their fried restaurant-style counterparts, but they don’t lack any of that seafood flavor you are looking for.

2. Southern Faux Fish and Chips

Source: Southern Faux Fish and Chips

Hushpuppies and cornmeal-crusted catfish are abundant in fish fries, and these Southern Faux Fish and Chips by Lauren Hartmann won’t disappoint. Marinate, score with a knife, crust, and fry some tofu, and you have an amazing representation of what you can experience at a good old-fashioned fish fry.

3. Fishcakes

Source: Fishcakes

These Fishcakes by James Wythe are great if you’re transitioning to a plant-based diet! They go so well with a nice squeeze of lemon juice. If you’re looking for something to make for lunch or dinner, try out these fishcakes!

4. Fish ‘n’ Chips

Source: Fish ‘n’ Chips

This recipe for Fish ‘n’ Chips by Stephanie Davies is made with banana blossoms and is definitely a dish you’ll want to make during the week!

5. Vegan Carrot Lox Toast with Herbed Cheese

Source: Vegan Carrot Lox Toast with Herbed Cheese

This Vegan Carrot Lox Toast with Herbed Cheese by Loubna is a delicious brunch or snack idea. It’s packed with smoky flavors from the carrot lox and paired with creamy herbed cheese. This vegan carrot lox and herbed cheese pair well with crackers or rice cakes, and it can go on top of salads, too!

6. Coconut-Crusted Fishless Sticks

Source: Coconut-Crusted Fishless Sticks

There are plenty of mock meats nowadays; however, mock fish seem to be a rarity on the shop shelves. Since fish has such a unique texture and flavor, it’s a hard one to mimic, but this one has got it. This recipe for Coconut-Crusted Fishless Sticks by Rosie Newton and Dillon Sivyour uses hearts of palm. They have a flaky texture that has the taste of the sea. For a more powerful taste of seafood, add kelp powder or finely chopped seaweed.

7. Crispy Battered ‘Fish’

Source: Crispy Battered ‘Fish’

This vegan Crispy Battered ‘Fish’ by Melissa Tedesco is light, crispy, and requires no deep frying. Enjoy this classic pub dish!

8. Soba Noodle Bowl With Homemade ‘Fish’ Sauce

Source: Soba Noodle Bowl With Homemade ‘Fish’ Sauce

This  Soba Noodle Bowl With Homemade ‘Fish’ Sauce by Pallavi Gupta is the perfect meal for a sunny day because it’s light, hearty, and healthy. The soba noodles are cooked to perfection and then tossed with mushrooms, carrots, green onions, and sesame seeds, and then it’s all coated in a tangy fishless fish sauce that you can make in just a few minutes.

9. Kashubian ‘Herrings’: Polish Salted Oyster Mushrooms

Source: Kashubian ‘Herrings’: Polish Salted Oyster Mushrooms

Classic Kashubian herrings are very popular in Polish cuisine. This recipe for vegan Kashubian ‘Herrings’: Polish Salted Oyster Mushrooms by Magdalena Pienkos is equally delicious and aromatic. A sweet-dry tomato sauce with a hint of cinnamon will satisfy even the most demanding vegetable tastes.

10. ‘Tuna’ Pan Bagnat

Source: ‘Tuna’ Pan Bagnat

This vegan ‘Tuna’ Pan Bagnat by Annabelle Randles is packed with delicious flavors for a hearty lunch option. Pan Bagnat is a typical sandwich from Nice in the South of France. This is a super tasty and sustainable alternative to fish. Sunflower ‘tuna’ sandwiches for the win!

11. Vegan ‘Fish’ Sauce

Source: Vegan ‘Fish’ Sauce

This Vegan ‘Fish’ Sauce by Veronica Grace is perfect for cooking Thai and Vietnamese food. It will give your food the classic flavors of both cuisines without any animals being harmed in the making. For example, you can use this vegan fish sauce recipe in Nuoc Cham (the sauce used for Bun Chay, aka vermicelli salad bowls), Thai papaya salad, or anything else you’d like!

12. Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets

Source: Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets

While parsnip and fish don’t have much in common, it’s what you do to parsnips in this recipe for Fish-Style Parsnip Fillets by Trine Rask that counts. Lemon pepper, bread crumbs, oil, remoulade, lemon juice, and dill are what take this humble vegetable to the next level. In Denmark, fish fillets are often served on rye bread with remoulade, and that’s how I’m serving these parsnip fillets, too. It just makes the whole thing taste right.

13. Hearts of Palm ‘Fish’ Sticks

Source: Hearts of Palm ‘Fish’ Sticks

Remember those frozen fish sticks your mom used to throw on a sheet pan and heat up in the toaster oven? These Hearts of Palm ‘Fish’ Sticks by Tori Cooper are way better. Hearts of palm are the secret ingredient in these “un-fish” sticks, and you will be amazed at how similar they look and taste to traditional fish sticks! Vegetables – what can’t they do?

14. ‘Fish’ Pie With Tofu and Oyster Mushrooms

Source: ‘Fish’ Pie With Tofu and Oyster Mushrooms

A good fish pie has different textures and flavors in it, so oyster mushrooms, which are a bit chewy, are added alongside the soft tofu and al dente vegetables. Another quality of a good fish pie is a thick layer of cheesy mash on top! This is easily recreated with vegan cheese for this ‘Fish’ Pie With Tofu and Oyster Mushrooms by Becky Cotter.

15. Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad Sandwich

Source: Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad Sandwich

Instead of tuna, these boys are made from chickpeas with seaweed flakes to give them that scent and taste of the sea. A vegan chickpea tuna salad sandwich is a great lunch to bring to work or school. It’s got a lot of protein and is absolutely delicious! This Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad Sandwich by One Green Planet is also a super easy dish to assemble, so you don’t have to worry about rushing around in the morning. This vegan chickpea tuna salad sandwich will keep you full and focused throughout the day!

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