Vegan Tuna Sashimi

5 from 1 vote
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This post is sponsored by Generation Farms.

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy vegan alternative to tuna sashimi, look no further than our Vegan Tuna Sashimi. Made with fresh watermelon slices, this dish is a refreshing and fun way to enjoy your favorite summer fruit.

The watermelon really takes on the flavor of the marinade, making it taste just like tuna sashimi. This is a healthier option and is vegan- friendly. So whether you’re looking for a new culinary adventure or just want to enjoy a healthier version of a classic dish, our Vegan Tuna Sashimi is sure to please. The watermelon really tastes and feels like tuna!

This dish is completely unique!

 

What is Vegan Sashimi

Vegan Sashimi is made of thin slices of watermelon, marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. The watermelon takes on the flavor of the marinade, making it taste just like tuna sashimi.

What’s the difference between sashimi and sushi?

Sashimi is one of the most famous dishes out of Japan and one we absolutely love. But those who aren’t well versed in Japanese cuisine often confuse it with sushi, a different dish (that we also adore). So what’s the difference?

Sushi consists of fresh raw seafood or meat served on top of marinated rice or rolled in rice or seaweed. Sashimi, on the other hand, is the same raw sliced seafood or meat served on its own, sometimes accompanied by dips or condiments. While sushi is fun and easy to dip in soy sauce and pop in your mouth, when you eat sashimi you experience the full taste of the specially-prepared meat, be it fish, shrimp, crab, or another protein.

Sashimi Doesn’t Need to Be Made from Meat

But sashimi doesn’t necessarily need to be made with meat or seafood – fruits and vegetables make great substitutes! Whether you want to avoid animal products or just incorporate more fruit into your day in unique ways, this Vegan Tuna Sashimi will let you experience the taste without the tuna.

To make your Vegan Tuna Sashimi the best it can be, use the highest quality ingredients – like watermelons from Generation Farms! Since 1974, this sustainability-minded company has focused on service and high-quality produce. They’re building the future of farming using lessons learned from the past. And you won’t just find watermelons in their fields. Generation Farms also offers onions, cucumbers, peppers, and other delicious fruits and veggies.

 

How to Slice Watermelon for Sashimi

When slicing watermelon for sashimi, it’s important to use a sharp knife and to slice the fruit as thinly as possible. A mandoline slicer is the best tool for this job, but a sharp chef’s knife will also do the trick.

Thinly slice the watermelon into rectangles or triangles, being careful not to cut yourself. If using a mandoline slicer, use the thinnest setting possible.

How to Store Leftover Vegan Tuna Sashimi

Store leftover vegan tuna sashimi can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat it, simply remove it from the container and enjoy!

Can Watermelon Sashimi Be Frozen

Watermelon Sashimi can be frozen, but I don’t recommend it. The texture of the watermelon will change when it’s frozen and thawed, making it less like tuna sashimi and more like a regular slice of watermelon.

If you do choose to freeze your sashimi, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw it overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

What to Serve with Vegan Sashimi

This Vegan Tuna Sashimi can be served many different ways and with all kinds of sides. This sashimi dish is traditionally served with soy sauce, wasabi, and pickled ginger.  To give it a little bit more “fishy” flavor, try serving it over a seaweed bed. Or if it’s more of a smoky taste you’re after, try adding a little bit of liquid smoke to the marinade. We recommend serving it alongside some cucumber slices, sriracha mayo, and spring onions, but wasabi and ginger make great complements as well.

More ideas for what to serve with vegan sashimi:

Serve with brown rice for a complete meal.

Add avocado for a creamy and delicious twist.

Drizzle with Sriracha for a bit of spice.

But feel free to get creative and experiment with other dipping sauces or toppings!

Tips for Making this Recipe

If you can’t find watermelon that’s ripe enough, leave it out on the counter for a day or two until it softens up.

Ripe watermelons will have a dull sound when you tap on them and a uniform shape. Avoid watermelons that are misshapen or have a hollow sound.

To ensure your watermelon is ripe, check the stem end for a honeydew-like scent.

If you want to save time, you can buy pre-sliced watermelon at most grocery stores.

For an extra special touch, garnish your sashimi with edible flowers.

One-of-a-kind Vegan Tuna Sashimi

 

How To Make Vegan Tuna Sashimi

Start by grating a ginger root. After skinning it with a spoon, finely grate it with a microplane.

Next, get out your watermelon. Cut it in half and remove pieces that are easy to slice. Cut your watermelon slices into sushi-sized pieces, about the shape and size of a domino. They should be about a half an inch thick.Slicing down to size

Once you’ve sliced enough watermelon, it’s time to turn it into tuna! The secret is in the marinade. Add the ginger you just grated along with sesame seed oil and soy sauce. Put the watermelon in a plastic bag and pour the marinade over it, then put it in your fridge to let the marinade do its thing.

After a few hours, the watermelon slices will have absorbed a lot of the marinade. Now it’s time to give them that tuna texture. Pour both the marinade and the slices into boiling water in a stock pot and cook the slices until they’re tender. Remove them, let them cool, and roll them in a mix of black and white sesame seeds. They’ll look and feel just like tuna!Draining the marinated watermelon

 

Pair it with your favorite sushi sides

Generation Farms

To make your Vegan Tuna Sashimi the best it can be, use the highest quality ingredients – like watermelons from Generation Farms! Since 1974, this sustainability-minded company has focused on service and high-quality produce. They’re building the future of farming using lessons learned from the past. And you won’t just find watermelons in their fields. Generation Farms also offers onions, cucumbers, peppers, and other delicious fruits and veggies.

How did your Vegan Tuna Sashimi go over? Was it a unique experience you’ll make again? Tell us about it in the comments below or tag us in your sashimi snapshots on Instagram @theproducemoms!

Want more from your watermelon? Check out these recipes:

5 from 1 vote

Vegan Tuna Sashimi

If you're looking for a delicious and healthy vegan alternative to tuna sashimi, look no further than our Vegan Tuna Sashimi. Made with fresh watermelon slices, this dish is a refreshing and fun way to enjoy your favorite summer fruit.
Prep Time5 minutes
Refrigerate4 hours
Total Time4 hours 5 minutes
Servings4

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups seedless watermelon cut into ½” thick rectangles
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds
  • 1 tsp white sesame seeds
  • ½ tsp fresh grated ginger from 1 ginger root

Instructions 

  • Peel ginger root with a spoon and grate with a microplane.
  • Cut watermelon slices into ½” thick rectangles.
  • Mix together toasted sesame seed oil, soy sauce, and grated ginger to form marinade.
  • Marinate watermelon pieces for about 4 hours. 
  • Bring water to a boil in a stock pot and add watermelon and marinade. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. The pieces should all be very soft.
  • Mix black and white sesame seeds in a ramekin or small dish.
  • Drain and turn “sashimi” watermelon slices in sesame seeds on four sides.
  • Serve with some cucumber slices, sriracha mayo, and spring onions and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1622mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 865IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 78
Keyword: vegan sashimi, vegan tuna sashimi
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About Lori

Lori Taylor is the Founder & CEO of The Produce Moms. For ten years she sold fresh produce to over 300 grocery stores throughout the United States, and today she is fully focused on working with the produce supply chain, media, and government to increase fresh produce access & consumption in the US and around the globe. Connect with Lori on LinkedIn.

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