If you are vegan, but still crave shrimp now and then, you will be amazed by this fully vegan recipe which will make you question whether this really is shrimp or not.
With that being said, this is also an ideal recipe for those who are playing with the idea of switching to a vegan lifestyle but aren't quite sure what exactly you will be able to eat, or what you need to give up.
Believe us when we say that this vegan shrimp recipe is a game-changer.
This is an ideal recipe to serve up at dinner parties or have as a quick snack, and the best part is, it's quick, it's easy and you will need very minimal ingredients, ensuring that anyone with the use of a kitchen can create this hassle-free.
So, if you have never heard of the term vegan shrimp, or never thought such a thing could exist, then we have something to tell you – It exists and it is yummy.
Now, here is all you need to know about vegan shrimp and how to get your hands on some.
What is Vegan Shrimp?
In short, vegan shrimp is a dish that can convert even the biggest carnivore out there, but you are probably wondering what exactly it is, so let's explain.
So, yes of course shrimp has a very distinct flavor, texture, and smell, so you are probably skeptical as to how a vegan shrimp recipe could even compare to the real deal, well this one will leave you with your mouth wide open – partially speechless and partially wanting more.
Vegan shrimp these days has several recipes, including a variety of plant-based proteins which replace the shrimp, but our recipe is a little bit different but tastes just as incredible.
With more and more people opting for a vegan diet and more people curious about the lifestyle and how they can make it work for themselves, there is more of an effort from restaurants and supermarkets to cater to those individuals, by sourcing more vegan alternatives, more plant-based ingredients to use at home and more on the go snacks which are healthier than before.
This year, it is not uncommon to go to a restaurant and find many vegan dishes such as vegan shrimp on the menu, compared to years ago, and we are now living in a time when we can truly be picky about what we eat for the good of our health, animals and the environment.
Let's rejoice! - but first, let's explain just why vegan shrimp is the way forward.
The benefits of Vegan Shrimp – Why is it better than regular shrimp?
While plenty of people are vegetarians, pescatarians, and even ‘flexitarians’, vegans choose not to eat anything that is derived from animals, including certain ingredients like honey, and processed sugar (which can be processed using animal bone) jelly and so much more.
The fact that the list is endless, makes us come to terms with the fact that there is more food that contains animal byproducts than you would think, which is why it's so important to dig deeper when first assuming something is vegan.
Shrimp, of course, cannot be confused as being vegan, because it was once a living creature in the ocean, but it is not just this reason that vegans and many vegetarians, choose not to contribute to the sourcing of shrimp.
Like many other types of fish and seafood, shrimp is very problematic to our environment, with many coastal areas being taken over and used as shrimp ponds, meaning we are quickly compromising our mangroves, marshes, and agricultural lands (According to the National Library of Medicine).
While there are other factors such as the abundance of pesticides that are used to feed the shrimp and the chemicals used to prepare the water, it also comes down to the fact that the shrimp are living creatures, and deserve more.
This brings us to the many reasons that vegan shrimp is such a game-changer because it means that we can protect the environment, protect the animals, and at the end of it all, we can feed ourselves healthier food.
Vegan shrimp is a fantastic alternative to the real deal, which can be easily made, provides the necessary nutrients, and tastes just as good – so would we not want to try this?
The Best Vegan Shrimp Recipe
So, now that you know why we would want to find a vegan shrimp alternative, why not grab these minimal ingredients, make your way to the kitchen and try out this delicious recipe, which is guaranteed to tickle any food lover's taste buds.
Ingredients:
For the vegan shrimp you will need:
- 5 King oyster mushrooms
- 2tbsp ground flaxseed
- 3tbsp plain flour
- ¼ cup of vegan breadcrumbs
- Seasoning (Old Bay, Knorr, etc.)
For the best vegan dipping sauce, you will need:
- Vegan mayonnaise
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Hot sauce
- Tomato puree
- Cider vinegar
Utensils needed:
- Chopping board
- Sharp knife
- Baking paper & Baking tray
- A few small bowls for the crumbs
Instructions:
Here is what you need to do, to turn this classic into a vegan delicacy.
Step 1: Start by taking your king oyster mushrooms and begin by cutting thick slices off the first mushroom from the stalk downwards. Take the thick slice and cut this into the classic shape of a shrimp. Repeat this with the rest of the slices and the rest of the mushrooms until you have a good portion of shrimp shapes mushrooms. In this recipe, you are using five mushrooms, but feel free to use more for a bigger portion.
Step 2: Take your bowls and place the flaxseed in one, the flour in another, and the breadcrumbs in the last bowl, ready to use. Wet the flaxseed with ¼ cup of water to allow the shrimp to adhere to the coating, this acts as the perfect vegan binder.
Step 3: Dip each of the vegan shrimp into the flour first, followed by the flaxseed, and then finally the breadcrumbs, and make sure they are all fully coated, so they result in a nice texture.
Top tip: For the breadcrumb mixture, add in some seasoning to give it a spicy kick, if you like. There are a variety of season mixes ranging from mild to spice so depending on what you like or who you are serving it to, you can decide what to add in.
Step 4: The next step involves cooking the vegan shrimp, so there are a few options to choose from. For the healthiest options, you can either bake or use the air fryer and alternatively, you can fry them – the choice is yours.
Step 5: For this recipe, we will be baking them, so prepare your baking tray with baking paper, place the vegan shrimp across the tray, and place it in the oven for about 20 minutes. Be sure to check these after ten minutes to see how well they are cooking, as oyster mushrooms do cook quite quickly, and we want to avoid burning them.
Step 6: When the shrimp come out of the oven, they should be crispy and steaming hot, but not burnt of course. Now that these are ready, we can start to prepare the dipping sauce which will bring out the flavor even more but don’t worry this is even easier than the recipe itself.
Making the Sauce
Step 1: Take the ingredients and add them to a blender, it's as simple as that.
Step 2: Once they are fully mixed, remove and place in a dipping bowl, served alongside the vegan shrimp.
Top tip: This vegan shrimp recipe can be used as quick finger food, as part of a shrimp sandwich, as a salad, or even served up with some noodles or vegan spring rolls, the list is endless for this recipe.
Conclusion
So, if our best darn vegan shrimp recipe has left you hungry and wanting to give this a go, then our job is done.
This is undoubtedly one of the best classic food recipes made vegan, given that Southern fried shrimp is a popular dish all over America, so now that it can be made guilt-free and even healthier, why would you not want to tell all your friends about it?
This sensational recipe mocks the flavors of the real deal, with the meaty texture of the oyster mushrooms, the crispiness of the coating, and the flavors of the perfect vegan dipping side.
If you are searching for king oyster mushrooms and cannot source them, you may want to look for king trumpets, French horns, king browns, and trumpet royals, which are also commonly known throughout the world.
So, whatever the occasion is, whether it be a garden party, some nibbles to munch on during the game, or just some quick and easy healthy food to snack on during the day, you cannot go wrong with this vegan shrimp recipe, which will be a hit with both vegans and non-vegans alike.