Vegan Seafood Guide (Salmon, Shrimp, Tuna, Crab, Fish, and Beyond)

If you’ve been missing the taste and texture of the ocean, vegan seafood is here to make your day. It’s made from plants but still brings that same savory, briny flavor people love in classic seafood dishes. You’ll find everything from our favorite vegan seafood brands to delicious recipes, all made without harming sea life. It’s a fun and delicious way to enjoy your favorite coastal meals in a new, kind, and compassionate way.

We’ll help you explore the tasty world of plant-based seafood options with a round-up of the most popular and widely available brands that offer veganized versions of favorites like: tuna, shrimp, salmon, lox, fish fillets, crab cakes, fish fingers, and even caviar!

Let’s dive in (all puns intended). 

Good Catch Foods (Vegan Tuna Fish, Crab Cakes, & Fish Burgers)

Created by celebrated vegan chefs Derek Sarno and Chad Sarno, this brand has paved the way for vegan seafood. Realizing that tuna is a huge favorite, they launched their vegan tuna pouches in three different flavors: Naked in Water, Mediterranean, and Oil and Herbs. Good news for us! They have since launched a line of frozen entrees and appetizers which includes: vegan fish burgers, vegan crab cakes, and vegan fish cakes!

New Wave Foods (Vegan Shrimp)

These are the real deal. If you have tried the breaded vegan version of shrimp, then this is a different story. The resemblance is amazing and the texture is pretty perfect. Did anyone say vegan shrimp tacos? 

Sophie’s Kitchen (Vegan Smoked Salmon & Shrimp)

This brand has many amazing products but we have to give a shout out to their vegan smoked salmon, which is pretty and perfect for a vegan cream cheese bagel, and their crispy golden breaded vegan shrimp, best enjoyed with a squeeze of lemon. 

Gardein (Vegan Fish Fillets & Crabless Cakes)

This pioneering brand makes fish fillets that are incredibly good and similar to the original version. They’re crunchy and perfect for an indulgent family treat. They have plant-based crab cakes too!

Quorn (Vegan Fish Fillets & Fish Fingers)

This vegetarian/vegan UK giant offers very affordable fish-free options. The options, which vary by country, include battered fish fillets, breaded fish fillets, and some adorable little fish fingers for the kids (or kids at heart!).

Cavi-Art (Vegan Caviar)

Now, if you thought you’d seen it all, then get ready to be amazed. This brand has managed to emulate caviar only with plant-based ingredients. So get those fancy water crackers ready to get fancy with this artistic vegan caviar. They have four different variations and each of them goes with different vegan foods. Wow!

Loma Linda (Vegan Tuna)

This beloved brand has a huge range of meat replacement products. From taco fillings to chorizo and canned sausages to an actual can of vegan tuna. Cool, right? Tuno, as they decided to call it, resembles the canned tuna so much you’d have to read the label a few times (although it’s more like tuna chunks). Plus the idea of opening a can of plant-based tuna to prepare your vegan tuna salad is beyond amazing. 

Vegan Zeastar (Vegan Salmon, Shrimp, Calamari, Cod, etc.)

This amazing brand is all about unique and revolutionary plant-based seafood, with tastes and textures that perfectly mimic their fishy counterparts. Vegan Zeastar products are mind-bogglingly realistic and ocean-friendly. Think sashimi no tuna, sashimi zalmon, shrimpz, kalamariz, tasty cod, and more!

Current Foods (Vegan Salmon)

This pea protein-based vegan salmon is vibrantly orange and thin, and designed to eat straight from the package! Use it on a bagel with vegan cream cheese and all the fixings, on a crostini, or in vegan sushi. The possibilities are endless with this innovative vegan salmon!

Creative Pea (Shelf-Stable Vegan Fish Mix)

Dive into the convenience of plant-based fish that’s pantry-friendly. Creative Pea, the trailblazing Israeli company that is changing the game in the world of meat substitutes, makes shelf-stable dry mixes, powered by pea protein. Just add water and vegetable oil to rehydrate their innovative blend, and you’ll have the perfect ingredient for a world of culinary possibilities.

Vivera (Plant-Based Salmon Fillets)

Another UK-based brand with a range of chilled vegan meat alternative products. Among those are their fish fillets. If you’re looking for a quick vegan fish fillet fix, these would be a great option. They also have a range of chicken-related products and even shawarma. 

Linda McCartney Foods (Vegan Seafood Products)

This brand goes way back! The founder is none other than Linda McCartney (Paul McCartney’s late wife), and she was a pioneer when it comes to animal rights and the vegan lifestyle. This brand has a huge range of vegetarian and vegan products (from sausages and burgers to meat pies) but they have recently launched three sea-themed products. 

Miyoko’s Creamery (Vegan Lox Cream Cheese)

Vegan goddess Miyoko Schinner brought to life the first mainstream vegan lox cream cheese called “Un-Lox Your Dreams.” This schmear is perfect atop bagels, is a beautiful lox-shade of pink, and tastes smoky and, as Miyoko describes, “seafood-y without the fish.

Blue Evolution (Seaweed)

Seaweed is the ultimate vegan seafood. Think of it as a sea vegetable! It’s filled with ocean nutrients and is a good vegan source of iodine, magnesium, and iron, and it’s really versatile in cooking. You can add kelp ribbons to your rice bowls, use it like you would any leafy green, and add a sprinkle of seaweed to chickpeas for an extra ocean-y chickpea tuna. It can also be farmed very sustainably, and even regeneratively! It takes zero fertilizers, fresh water, or soil to grow.

OmniFoods (Plant-Based Fish-Style Fillets, Ocean Burger, OmniCrab Cake)

OmniFoods is all about bringing you that fresh ocean flavor without hurting the planet or sea life. They’ve got a bunch of tasty plant-based seafood options that make eating your favorites super easy and totally guilt-free. Their vegan fish fillets are made with soy protein, so they’re tender, flaky, and perfect for frying or baking. It’s everything you love about fish, just made from plants!

Their vegan Ocean Burgers are awesome for a quick, easy meal. The soy-based patties have omega-3s and loads of flavor. And if you’re into crab cakes, their plant-based version will totally hit the spot—it’s got that same taste and texture you know and love. Whether you’ve been vegan for years or you’re just curious to try something new, OmniFoods makes plant-based seafood fun, tasty, and easy to enjoy.

Is Fish Healthy for You?

Many people intentionally include fish in their diet because of perceived health benefits. The usual arguments made in defense of eating fish are based on fish as a source of high-quality protein, iodine, and various vitamins and minerals, including Omega-3.

Some people will point out the relationship between Omega-3 and brain development, or between fatty fish and the reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But, there are also many risk factors associated with eating fish. 

But here’s the happy-catch! Fish is not the only source of Omega-3. It’s also found in chia, walnuts, flax seeds, and more. And your risk of heart attack and stroke can be greatly mitigated by following a wholesome plant-based diet.

Cholesterol, Mercury, and PCBs in Seafood

Let’s start with cholesterol. Most fish and seafood have some of it. Even though fish is often seen as heart-healthy, some types—like shrimp—can raise your cholesterol levels. On the other hand, plant-based foods have zero cholesterol, which makes them a great choice if you’re trying to keep those numbers down.

Another big concern with fish is contamination. Over time, fish can build up toxins like mercury and other harmful chemicals. When you eat a lot of seafood, those same toxins can build up in your body too. That’s one reason many people are turning to plant-based seafood instead—it’s a safer and cleaner option.

What About Fish Oil, DHA, and Omega-3s?

For years, we’ve been told we need to eat fish to stay healthy. But have you ever stopped to ask why? It’s not really about the fish—it’s about the healthy fats they contain, like DHA and Omega-3s. The good news? You can get those same nutrients from plants instead. Foods like chia seeds (like in this chia seed pudding), flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts (such as in this candied walnuts recipe!) are great sources.

You can also find vegan DHA and Omega-3 supplements made from algae—no fish needed! We even have a full article by a dietitian that explains how to get enough of these good fats and lists the best vegan vitamins out there.

Do Fish Feel Pain?

A lot of people think fish don’t feel pain—but that’s just not true. Studies show that fish can suffer, just like mammals and birds. They have nervous systems that let them sense and react to pain, even if their brains work a bit differently from ours.

Scientists have seen fish respond when exposed to painful substances and even found they produce endorphins—natural chemicals that help with pain. In short, feeling pain helps fish survive, just like it does for all animals.

How Does Eating Seafood Affect The Environment?

Commercial fishing, especially when it’s not managed well, can do a lot of harm to the ocean. Almost 80% of the world’s fisheries are already overfished or close to collapsing. That’s a huge problem for the whole ecosystem. Even worse, around 90% of big fish like sharks, tuna, marlin, and swordfish are already gone. If things don’t change soon, experts say the oceans could run out of fish by 2048.

The problem isn’t just about one type of fish—it affects the whole ocean. Every species is connected, so when one disappears, it throws everything off balance. Fishing also hurts more than just the targeted fish. Some methods, like bottom trawling, scoop up turtles, dolphins, sharks, and other animals by accident. Most of them don’t survive after being thrown back.

By choosing not to eat fish, you’re helping protect all these amazing sea animals. It’s a simple way to keep the ocean healthy—and there are plenty of fun, plant-based seafood options to enjoy instead!