Use this vegan tuna to substitute canned tuna in any recipe! Flaky, meaty, vegan protein seasoned to taste like real tuna with an unbeatable taste and texture! This mock tuna can be used in vegan tuna sandwiches, vegan tuna casserole, creamed tuna on toast, tuna pinwheels, or any other recipe that uses canned tuna.

A bowl of mock tuna in a white bowl with a fork in it.

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Why make this faux tuna

Don’t get me wrong, I love chickpea “tuna” salad sandwiches, but if you want to replace a can of tuna in a recipe, chickpeas just won’t cut it. Unlike faux tuna made from chickpeas, this vegan tuna is made from texture vegetable protein or Butler Soy Curls, so it has a truly meaty texture and will hold its structure when cooking or baking.

Please read my article to learn more about TVP or check out my other vegan recipes that use Butler Soy Curls like vegan jerky, vegan buffalo chicken, and vegan popcorn chicken.

Ingredients and substitutions

  • TVP (textured vegetable protein) or Butler Soy Curls – this is a dehydrated soy protein that will absorb the flavor of any broth that you rehydrate it in. (If you use soy curls, you will have to break them into smaller pieces.) You can find TVP in the Bob’s Red Mill section of large grocery stores or order TVP or Butler Soy Curls on Amazon.
  • Water – to make the broth.
  • Kelp Flakes – to give it the fishy flavor. I find these at Whole Foods or Amazon. You can also use crushed-up nori sheets. (Use the extra kelp flakes to replace anchovies to make an awesome vegan Caesar dressing and give vegan linguine with clam sauce its flavor.)
  • Oil – to give it a little moisture and mouth feel of tuna. Any neutral-flavored oil will work or you can leave it out for an oil-free tuna. You can also use flaxseed oil for a more fishy flavor. You can also omit the oil for an oil-free mock tuna.
  • Salt – to give it the saltiness of real tuna.

How to make vegan tuna

Step 1 – Add 1/2 cup of water, 1 tablespoon of oil, 1 teaspoon of kelp flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a small saucepan.

A small red saucepan filled with water, kelp flakes, oil, and salt to make vegan mock tuna.

Step 2 – Heat until it boils, then turn off the heat and add 3/4 cup of TVP or soy curls. Stir, cover, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it absorbs all of the water.

Step 3 – Use as you would a can of tuna. It’s perfect for a vegan tuna melt, vegan tuna noodle casserole, or creamed tuna on toast.

How to make vegan tuna salad

If you want to use this mock tuna to make a vegan tuna sandwich, simply add it to a bowl with vegan mayo, chopped celery, diced red onion, dill pickle relish, salt, and black pepper, then stir until combined.

Use this mock tuna to make a sandwich or wrap. Add a slice of vegan cheese and grill it for a plant-based tuna melt. You can also spread it on toast, lettuce leaves, or crackers.

Pro Tips

  • Butler Soy Curls will give you larger flakier pieces of “tuna.” However, you will have to break it into small pieces before adding it to the broth.
  • You can omit the oil for oil-free vegan tuna.
  • You can double the oil to simulate oil-packed tuna.
Vegan tuna in a small saucepan after the TVP has absorbed the flavored broth.

🥡 Storage and reheating

Refrigerate: The vegan tuna will keep well in the fridge for 3 – 5 days in a sealed container.

Freeze: This vegan tuna freezes well and can be stored in an airtight bag in the freezer for up to 3 months.

More vegan seafood recipes

I used to love seafood before I went vegan, so I make a lot of mock seafood recipes. Check out all of my vegan seafood recipes.

A white bowl filled with a faux tuna made from butler soy curls.

Vegan tuna recipe

A bowl of vegan tuna made from soy protein in a white bowl with a red and white tea towel.
Diet
Gluten Free Icon
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4.86 from 7 rating

Vegan Tuna

Yield: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Author: Monica Davis
A tuna substitute made from soy protein with the taste and texture of real tuna. Use in place of canned tuna in any recipe.
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Ingredients

  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, or any neutral-flavored oil
  • 1 teaspoon kelp flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup TVP crumbles, (or Butler Soy Curls)

Instructions
 

  • Add 1/2 cup of water, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon kelp flakes, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a small saucepan.
  • Heat until it boils, then turn off heat and add 3/4 cup of TVP. Stir, cover, and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it absorbs all of the water.
  • Use as you would a can of tuna.

Notes

  • Butler Soy Curls will give you larger flakier pieces of “tuna.” However, you will have to break it into small pieces before adding it to the broth.
  • You can omit the oil for oil-free vegan tuna.
  • You can double the oil to simulate oil-packed tuna.
Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 44kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 78mg, Potassium: 9mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Calcium: 29mg, Iron: 1mg
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