Vegan Shrimp Guide: Best Vegetarian Shrimp Recipes & Brands

Looking for the best vegan shrimp options? Well, you’re in luck! Whether you prefer your ethical and sustainable shrimp to be made with tofu, mushrooms, or konjac, we’re willing to bet that there’s just the right kind of out there for you!

Do you ever yearn for the day where you devour a huge tray of vegan shrimp with cocktail sauce, sitting poolside without a care in the world? Yes, you say? Great! While we can’t guarantee that you’ll get to enjoy these delicious vegetarian shrimp recipes by a pool on a sunny day, we can help make at least one part of that scenario a reality.

But first, why are so many people turning toward plant-based shrimp options?

What’s Wrong With Shrimp?

When it comes to shrimp (the anima—served as food), there are several important ethical and environmental factors to consider. For instance:

• Organic waste
• Chemicals
• Pollution
• Loss of biodiversity
• Overfishing
• Bycatch

Organic waste, chemicals, and antibodies from shrimp farms can quickly pollute groundwater or coastal estuaries. The pollution from these farms can result in loss of coastal biodiversity, which is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Wild caught shrimp often involves bycatch—the incidental capture of non-target species such as dolphins, marine sea turtles and seabirds.

Raw shrimp also often contains a bacterium called Vibrio, which attaches itself to the shells of shrimp and other shellfish—gross! Why support this harmful industry when you can enjoy delicious and cruelty-free shrimp instead?

What Is Vegan Shrimp Made Out Of?

But if they’re not made from shrimp, what are these plant-based shrimp alternatives made from? Well, there can be many options for making animal-free shrimp!

Common vegan shrimp ingredients include:

• Rice
• Potato
• Konjac
• Mushrooms
• Seaweed Extract

Best Vegan Shrimp Brands

We understand that it may be daunting to try and replicate the taste and texture of shrimp all on your own! If store-bought is more your thing, then we’ve got you covered! Every year, it seems there is a new product for vegan shrimp on the market. Don’t live close by to a store with many vegan seafood options? Luckily many of these can be ordered online!

Vegan Zeastar

Meet the new kid on the block! Plant-based shrimp products used to look like they were made in the 70s and packaged in some hippie’s garage. Until now. Vegan Zeaster came along to make vegan seafood cool. Modern. Trendy. The packaging is gorgeous and playful, enticing many more people to give this more sustainable and friendly option a try.

All Vegetarian Inc. Meatless Shrimp

This brand has been making vegan meat substitutes since 1994. Their plant-based shrimp can be ordered online from there website, several vegan online shops, and you can also find it in select stores. They also make popular vegan drumsticks, vegan bacon, vegan turkey roast, and even vegan tuna.

Their shrimp ingredients include: Water, Modified Starch, Sunflower Oil, Glucomannan, Pea Extract, Sea Salt, Seaweed Extract, and Brown Sugar. That’s it!

BeLeaf Plant-Based Shrimp

This healthy 7-ingredient shrimp looks just like the real thing. But it’s made from plants, including the konjac root! The ingredients are so simple it’s almost hard to believe: konjac powder, vegetable gum, vegetable root starch, paprika, brown sugar, sea salt, plant based vegan seasoning.

Plant Based Seafood Co. Mind Blown Shrimp

Another modern spin on plant-based shrimp comes from the Plant Based Seafood Co. Their Mind Blown shrimp comes in both “dusted shrimp” and “coconut shrimp.” The coconut shrimp has actual coconut shreds for an extra element of crispy texture.

Their shrimp comes ready to fry, bake, or even air fry. It makes a great addition to your stir fry, pasta, tacos, and salads.

The ingredients in their shrimp include: konjac powder, vegetable gum, vegetable root starch, paprika, brown sugar, sea salt, plant based vegan seasoning. Hey wait — isn’t that the same as the BeLeaf shrimp? Yup, identical. We noticed the same thing.

This comes with a coconut topping, however, which is made with: Water, Gluten Free All Purpose Flour Blend (Rice Flour, Potato Starch, Pea Fiber, Tapioca Starch, Xantham Gum), Unrefined Coconut Sugar, Grainless and Aluminum-Free Baking Powder

Sophie’s Kitchen Plant-Based Breaded Shrimp

Sophie’s Kitchen has been around for ages serving up vegan seafood products way before it was cool. Their branding and shrimp has gotten a facelift though, with a modernizing touch. Their soy-free, gluten-free, and non-gmo breaded shrimp is made with:

Water, rice flakes (from brown rice), canola oil, potato starch, konjac powder, pea starch, fenugreek, organic agave nectar, sea salt, alginate (from seaweed), paprika, white pepper, turmeric, calcium hydroxide.

Lily’s Vegan Pantry Vegetarian Shrimp Balls and Rolls

This unique brand offers vegan shrimp balls, shrimp rolls, shrimp dumplings, and more. If you live in New York City, Lily’s Vegan Pantry is worth checking out. But if you live elsewhere, they also ship nationally!

Loving Hut Fish-Free Shrimp

This product may be hard to find, but if you’re a fan of the Loving Hut restaurant chain, they did at one point sell their vegan shrimp!

New Wave Foods Soy-Free Veggie Shrimp

This innovative brand is developing a new wave of seafood — including shrimp! Soon to be available at restaurants!

Best Vegan Shrimp Recipes

Crispy Panko Shrimp Made With King Oyster Mushrooms

The lovely duo at Olives for Dinner has created what we think looks like the most delicious and most realistic shrimp—from king oyster mushrooms! It’s almost hard to believe these are made from plants. Serve this up with your favorite tartar or bang bang sauce and listen for the glorious “crunch” as you bite into these savory nuggets.

Coconut Shrimp

What’s tasty and crunchy and good all over? Why, this vegan coconut shrimp from health my lifestyle! Made from ingredients such as vital wheat gluten, tofu, miso, and coconut shreds, all you need is some time and an air fryer to form this vegan shrimp!

“Honey” Garlic Shrimp

The not-so-secret ingredient to this vegan shrimp recipe by Very Vegan Val? Shrimp of the woods mushrooms! Some caution is to be taken when identifying these funky fungi but once you’re in the clear, you’ll love the sweet and savory flavors of this dish. And don’t worry, this recipe uses vegan honey!

Oyster Mushroom Shrimp (& Po’Boy Sandwich)

This recipe for a vegan shrimp is made from marvelous mushrooms—king oyster mushrooms! They are magical, aren’t they? This shrimp also goes beautifully in this vegan Po’ Boy recipe that will make all of your other sandwiches jealous! This vegan shrimp recipe calls for breadcrumbs and seasonings to get it nice and crunchy. Just add some sauce, lettuce, and tomato onto a roll and you’ll be in vegan food heaven!

How to Serve Up Plant-Based Shrimp?

Plant-based shrimp can make a fun addition to your existing vegan meals as well as a snack or meal of it’s own. Here are a few ways you can dish it up!

• A vegan salad topping
• Add to pasta dishes (it’s delicious with this creamy fettuccini alfredo)
• In a sandwich (think beyond the classic vegan Po’ boy)
• Make vegetarian shrimp cocktail
• Breaded shrimp served with tartar sauce
• On a skewer with veggies like red bell peppers and zucchini
• Chop and mix into a vegan jambalaya

There truly are plenty of vegan fish in the sea and we hope this guide has inspired you to give vegetarian shrimp options a try! Feel free to let us know some of your favorite plant-based seafood recipes or brands in the comments below.

More Vegan Seafood Resources

• Vegan Seafood Guide
• Vegan DHA
• Seafood’s Dark Secret
• Vegan Tuna Fish Goes Mainstream
• What a Fish Knows

Photos by our vegan food blog contributors, shared with permission. Cover photo by Erin and Jeff Wysocarski.