7 Flavorful Plant-Based Tuna Recipes, From Steaks to Sushi to Sandwiches

Tuna is, without a doubt, one of the world’s favorite types of fish to eat. According to the National Fisheries Institute, on average, Americans eat around one billion pounds of canned and pouched tuna every single year. In fact, it is America’s second-favorite seafood (first place goes to shrimp). Tuna isn’t just loved in the US, the European Union is also home to more than half of the canned tuna market.

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It makes sense that tuna is so popular—it has a mild fishy flavor, it’s packed with umami, and it’s incredibly versatile. It can form the basis of a lunchtime sandwich or salad, for example, or it can provide a kick of protein to your evening pasta. It can be eaten in sushi or baked with vegetables. There are no limits.

However, while tuna is popular, the tuna industry is far from perfect. Popular tuna species like bluefin, yellowfin, and bigeye are overfished in many regions, for example. The industry also has a high percentage of bycatch, which means that many sharks, turtles, and dolphins often get accidentally tangled in nets meant for tuna fish. 

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RELATED: 5 Fish-Free Pâtés, From Tuna to Smoked Salmon

On top of this, tuna can accumulate dangerous toxins from the ocean—including mercury. Just recently, British activists called for a ban on tinned tuna being sold in hospitals, care homes, and school canteens after tests showed high levels of mercury in 148 samples of canned tuna from the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy.

But there’s good news for tuna lovers looking for a healthier, more sustainable option. Plant-based tuna alternatives offer all the flavor of the real thing, without the environmental and health risks. From steaks to salads to sushi, there are endless ways to enjoy fish-free tuna. Read on to discover some of our favorite ways to swap seafood for plants.

Does vegan tuna taste like tuna?

It is possible to make plant-based tuna taste just like real tuna, but you’ll need a few key ingredients. Seaweed, for example, in the form of nori or kelp flakes, can help to give your vegan tuna that signature marine taste. Soy sauce also helps to bring depth and umami, while lemon juice helps to add a little zing to the mix. 

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Several plant-based protein sources can help to provide tuna’s signature texture. If you’re whipping up tuna salad, mashed chickpeas or tofu often work as a good tuna alternative, for example. If you’re cooking a tuna steak, watermelon is a surprisingly good stand-in. And if you’re opting for pasta, stirring in some marinated jackfruit can help to bring a good flaky texture to the dish.

The best vegan tuna recipes

Find out more about how to transform simple plant-based ingredients into delicious fish-free tuna below.

Andrea Soranidis

1 Two-Step Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwiches

You can’t go wrong with a simple vegan tuna salad sandwich. It’s the ultimate satisfying and nourishing lunchtime dish. This recipe, which relies on chickpeas and nori for that signature taste and texture, comes together in just two steps, and it’s easily customizable to your taste. A layer of avocado, for example, would bring a nice creamy element to the mix.
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Hannah Kaminsky

2 Vegan Seared Watermelon Niçoise Salad

It’s true: watermelon really can stand in for tuna. If you’re not convinced, just give this ultra-refreshing recipe for a vegan niçoise salad a try. The juicy melon combines beautifully with the zingy vinaigrette, while plant-based ingredients like olives, radishes, and cannellini beans bring extra texture and nutrients to the dish.
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Emily Lavieri-Scull

3 Vegan Seafood Pasta in a Tangy Asian-Style Dressing

In this briny pasta, mushrooms, nori, and capers work together to give you all the flavor and texture of seafood, including tuna, but without the actual fish. Packed with nourishing vegetables and quick to make, it’s arguably the perfect weeknight meal.
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Yuzu Bakes

4 Baked Vegan Tuna

In this recipe from Yuzu Bakes, recipe developer Cory Varga walks you through how to make umami-rich baked vegan tuna chunks using ingredients like canned banana blossom, nori sheets, garlic, and lemon juice. “This vegan tuna tastes much like a pan sheet tuna steak and the texture is so akin to the real thing,” promises Varga.
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Minimalist Baker

5 Easy Vegan Tuna Melt

When you’re in the mood for comfort food, you can’t go wrong with a hearty plant-based tuna melt, like this one from Minimalist Baker. With chickpeas, dijon mustard, dill pickles, and dairy-free cheese, it’s easy to make quickly, which is perfect for those days when you’re in a lunchtime rush. Serve with a nourishing bowl of tomato soup or enjoy on its own with a salad or a side of potato chips.
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PlantYou

6 Vegan Ahi Tuna

In this juicy ahi tuna recipe from PlantYou, marinated watermelon stands in for fish once again. It’s the perfect addition to a poke bowl or a wrap, but it tastes equally delicious on its own with a few sesame seeds and some rice. “Watermelon is an excellent replacement for tuna because it has the same texture,” says recipe developer Carleigh Bodrug. “It also is very light and soaks up all of the flavors of the soy sauce mixture it’s sitting in.”
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Naturally Nina

7 Vegan Tuna Patties

These tuna patties from Naturally Nina are ideal for days when you’re craving something light, nourishing, and refreshing. Made with chickpeas and whole grains, they’re especially good when served with a leafy green salad on the side. “Each bite is a flavor explosion of herbs, spices, and [have] that sneaky tuna-like taste,” says recipe developer Nina Gelbke. Crispy on the outside with a soft center, these patties are sure to become a go-to.
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