Humans have been eating fish for hundreds of thousands of years. In fact, researchers have even found evidence of deboned catfish in Kenya that dates back around 1.95 million years. But since then, our habits have changed quite a bit. With the changes and stresses of modern life, it became harder to eat fresh fish, and we needed more effective ways to preserve it. And so, in the 1800s, we started packaging it in tins. The invention was a hit; tinned fish is cost-efficient, shelf-stable, and long-lasting (seriously, some tins can last for years in the pantry).

 

RELATED: 17 Vegan Seafood Options, From Shrimp to Scallops

But while tinned fish is a reliable source of nutrition for many people, it does have some drawbacks. The seafood industry, in general, is a major source of plastic pollution and overfishing. In fact, some research suggests that nearly 90 percent of global marine fish stocks are fully exploited or overfished. This all puts a major downer on that seemingly harmless tuna fish sandwich. But good news, there is a way to have tinned fish (and your go-to lunchtime treat) without hurting the oceans: vegan tinned fish. Here’s what you need to know.

Why buy tinned vegan fish?

The concept of vegan tinned fish might sound weird at first, but it’s just another emerging sector of the thriving plant-based meat industry. Just like a Beyond Burger mimics a beef patty, vegan tinned fish relies on plant-based ingredients to effectively emulate the taste and texture of conventional tinned seafood options, like salmon, tuna, or sardines, for example.

But unlike its animal-derived counterparts, vegan tinned fish is much better for the environment. And it’s also often shelf-stable, too, so it’s just as convenient and long-lasting as the real thing. It’s also easy to prepare, and you can use it for any recipe—like sandwiches, salads, or pasta—where you’d usually crack open a tin of real fish. Need more proof of that? We’ve listed some of our go-to vegan tinned fish recipes below.

The best tinned vegan fish brands

Where, exactly, can you find tinned fish on the shelves? Below, you’ll find some of the best brands on the market for vegan tinned fish. And keep an eye out for more alternatives launching all the time. After all, the plant-based seafood market is worth more than $800 million, and, by 2032, is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 5.5 percent.

Seed to Surf

1 Seed to Surf

In 2020, Canadian startup Seed to Surf launched for the first time, offering vegan seafood alternatives, packaged in tins and made with whole vegetables. “When prepared and preserved right—using fresh, high-quality ingredients—we discovered that whole vegetables offer an innovative, delicious, and sustainable take on the premium tinned seafood,” co-founder Alexandra Bergquist told Food Business News. Right now, it offers two options: Mushroom Snow Crab and Celery Root Smoked Whitefish.

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Rainbow Tomatoes Garden

Loma Linda

2 Loma Linda

In 2018, Loma Linda’s “revolutionary” tinned vegan tuna alternative, Tuno, hit the shelves for the first time. It was created in collaboration with some of the seafood industry’s leading experts to ensure that the taste and texture were just right. Tuno initially launched with three flavors: sriracha, spring water, and lemon pepper, but over the last few years, the range has grown to include new options like Thai sweet chili and pesto and sun-dried tomato.

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Loma Linda

3 Sol Natural

Founded in Barcelona back in the ‘90s, Sol Natural has always been committed to providing the world with natural, organic, healthy foods. Alongside products like vegetable chips, red lentil pasta, and oat biscuits, the brand also offers two tinned vegan fish options: plant-based tuna in oil and plant-based mackerel with tomato. Both are made with organic ingredients, including beans, pea protein, and seaweed.

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Planeta Huerto

4 Marigold

Marigold Health Foods started off in the ‘70s as a vegetable bouillon brand, but over the years, it has expanded its portfolio to include a wide variety of plant-based cooking ingredients, including vegan meat alternatives. It offers tinned Mo-Du (vegan duck), braised tofu, fermented tempeh, and Tunah, which is a tinned vegan fish alternative made with soybeans.

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Vegan Wholesaler

5 Fish Peas

The clue is in the name, but this tinned vegan fish product is made with yellow peas, which, according to the Latvian brand, is one of the world’s most sustainable sources of protein. Fish Peas offers four different tinned vegan tuna options, including chili and lemon pepper flavors, as well as other tinned vegan seafood, like Wheat White Fillet In Oil.
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Fish Peas

6 Unmeat

If you’re craving a big juicy tuna fish sandwich, you can’t go wrong with Unmeat’s simple fish-free tuna-style flakes. Made with soy and wheat, the texture is undeniably fishy and it also tastes great, too. “This vegan tuna is surprisingly tasty (we tested it with real consumers like you to make sure), all while providing you the perfect protein for your flexitarian needs,” the brand notes.

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Walmart

7 OmniFoods

OmniFoods is known for its signature vegan pork product, but this popular Hong Kong-based brand also has an entire range of vegan seafood products, including tinned OmniTuna. The latter is made with a blend of soy, wheat, canola oil, and algae oil, and is the perfect alternative for everything from tuna melts to tuna pasta dishes.

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Mighty Plants

Vegan tinned fish recipes

Incorporate your favorite vegan tinned fish in these tasty recipes.

Seed to Surf

1 Vegan Ramen With Enoki Mushroom Snow Crab

If you’re intrigued by Seed to Surf’s vegan Mushroom Snow Crab, you can’t beat this cozy plant-based ramen dish, which combines the vegan seafood with an umami-packed blend of garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and tahini.
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Emily Lavieri-Scull

2 Plant-Based Seafood Pasta in a Tangy Asian-Style Dressing

This flavorful, tangy seafood pasta dish is crafted using wholesome, whole-food ingredients, delivering a fresh and satisfying meal. But it’s also incredibly versatile and can be tweaked to incorporate your favorite vegan tinned fish.
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Loma Linda

3 Tuno Potstickers

Got a tin of Tuno on hand? Sure, you could whip up a simple sandwich—but why not try something a little different? These potstickers are easy to make, bursting with flavor, and a delicious way to elevate your quick meals. Perfect for when you want something satisfying but simple.
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Unmeat

4 Vegan Tuna Fish Cakes

Made with mashed potatoes, fresh scallions, lemon, and a tin of Unmeat Tuna-Style Flakes, these fish cakes are lightly seasoned and pan-fried to a golden crisp. They’re perfect served with your favorite dipping sauce (think ranch, aioli, or tartar) for a quick lunch or dinner that feels a little special but comes together in under 30 minutes.
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Seed to Surf

5 Cheesy Mushroom Snow Crab Dip

If you’re hosting friends for dinner, this ultra-tasty vegan crab dip is a surefire way to impress. Seed to Surf crab, vegan cream cheese, mayo and sour cream, a hint of garlic and paprika, and melted cheddar on top, make it an irresistible appetizer that’s perfect for sharing.
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