Watermelon Tuna – vegan tuna substitute made from watermelon

Name: Watermelon Tuna – vegan tuna substitute made from watermelon
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 75 min
Yield: 4

Maya Leinenbach (Fitgreenmind)

Marinated and roasted watermelon that creates a unique texture perfect for sushi, poke bowls, and salads. Not tuna, but deliciously its own thing.

Prep Time

Cook Time

Total Time

Ingredients you'll need

For the watermelon

1 baby watermelon.

‍

For the marinade

5 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp vinegar
Crushed nori for fishy flavor (optional)

‍

For final marinade

Garlic and ginger (optional)

Let's get cookin'

Peel watermelon and cut into thick slices
Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, and optional crushed nori
Marinate watermelon slices for 30 minutes
Bake at 180°C/360°F for 30-45 minutes, flipping halfway through
Slice or cube the roasted watermelon
Toss with remaining marinade and optional garlic and ginger
Use in sushi, poke bowls, or salads

Into this? You’ll love these...

Vegan Biftekia – Greek tofu patties

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Mushroom Shawarma: Tasty culinary delight

Braised Cabbage

Watermelon dressed up as a fish? The plant-based sushi revolution

No, it doesn't taste like tuna—but this marinated watermelon is still a flavor miracle! Marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, and vinegar, followed by oven roasting, the watermelon develops a meaty texture and a surprisingly savory umami flavor. The result is wonderful for sushi, poke bowls, or Asian salads. The trick lies in the slow baking, which causes the watermelon to lose water and absorb the flavors intensely. A creative plant-based hack that shows how versatile fruit can be. Perfect for anyone who wants to surprise their guests with innovative vegan cuisine!

Lunch

meal Prep

Dinner

Side Dish

Collections

Single Serve Lasagna: A Layered Dream for You

Vegan Mayo: Your quick dip for everything

Smashed Cucumber salad: Your quick freshness kick

Watermelon Tuna – vegan tuna substitute made from watermelon

Ingredients you'll need

Let's get cookin'

Into this? You’ll love these...

Vegan Biftekia – Greek tofu patties

Mushroom Shawarma: Tasty culinary delight

Braised Cabbage

Watermelon dressed up as a fish? The plant-based sushi revolution

Collections

Single Serve Lasagna: A Layered Dream for You

Vegan Mayo: Your quick dip for everything

Smashed Cucumber salad: Your quick freshness kick

Watermelon Tuna – vegan tuna substitute made from watermelon

Ingredients you'll need

Let's get cookin'

Into this? You’ll love these...

Vegan Biftekia – Greek tofu patties

Mushroom Shawarma: Tasty culinary delight

Braised Cabbage

Watermelon dressed up as a fish? The plant-based sushi revolution

Footer