Vegan Fish Fillets

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5 from 2 votes

Vegan Fish Fillets

Just 10 ingredients to make this vegan fish recipe! Tofu is sliced thinly part way through to make an amazing flaky texture. Then the tofu is coated in a marinade made with nori seaweed which gives a taste of the sea. The perfect vegetarian seafood alternative.
My Notes:
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time1 hour 10 minutes
Meal Type: Dinner, Lunch
Special: 10 Ingredients or Less, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Seasonal (Cold Weather), Vegan Meat, Vegan Seafood
Tool: barbecue, Blender, Stove
Ingredient: Seaweed, Tofu
Servings: 2 large tofu fillets
Ingredients
  • 1 12oz block(s) extra-firm tofu drained, pressed (see step 1), and sliced
For the marinade:
To serve the tofu fillets:
  • 1 tablespoon(s) vegan butter or light oil for frying
  • Optional garnishes for Vegan Fish Fillets: lemon slices, chopped parsley, and black pepper
Instructions
  • Press the tofu: Prepare the tofu by draining it, and then pressing it for 15 minutes to 1 hour. For pressing instructions, check out this video . Pressing the tofu squeezes excess water out so that the tofu can suck up more of the marinade and become chewier.
  • Prep the tofu: Once the tofu is pressed, cut the tofu in half horizontally into two large slices. Take one of the tofu pieces and place a chopstick on either side of the tofu to stop from cutting all the way through so the slices remain intact. Slice the tofu partway through repeatedly about 1/8" apart to give the tofu a flaky texture. Repeat with the other tofu slice.
  • Make the marinade: add the nori, vegetable broth, lemon juice, miso paste, Old Bay, garlic powder, and salt to a blender. Blend until smooth. If you don't have a blender you can chop the nori very finely then whisk everything together in a large bowl. This will make a very ugly greenish-brown marinade. Place the tofu in a resealable bag or dish and cover with the marinade. Let marinated in the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes or as long as overnight.
  • Cook the tofu fillets: In a large skillet or non-stick frying pan, heat the oil or butter. When hot add the tofu fillets to the pan, discarding any leftover marinade. Fry for 3 - 5 minutes per side until the tofu is golden brown and heated through. Be very careful when flipping the tofu as it's very tender. Serve the hot tofu fillets with parsley and black pepper and a generous squeeze of fresh lemon.
Notes
Tofu: I love the firm flaky texture of extra-firm tofu in this recipe, but for a more tender tofu fillet you can use firm tofu. When using firm tofu, slice the tofu flakes thicker, about 1/4", and be extra gentle when handling it.
Oil-free: To make oil-free use a good non-stick pan and use water or vegetable broth instead of the light oil to fry the tofu.
Crispy skin: if you want a crispy skin on the tofu, dredge the marinated tofu in cornstarch just before frying and fry until evenly browned all over. This will make a thin crispy skin.
Nutrition
Serving: 1-tofu fillet (recipe makes 2 tofu fillets) | Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 1425mg | Potassium: 318mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 609IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 5mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram and Hashtag #easyveganmealplan