As someone trying to eat more plant-based, I enjoy finding vegan meat alternatives that can compare to a juicy burger or crispy bacon. In a TikTok video (because apparently, that’s the primary source of my recipe inspiration), a user made watermelon tuna, or “tuna tartare.” It reminded me of a vegan poke bowl on the menu of a restaurant I frequented in St. Louis. I had about a cup of cubed watermelon left in my fridge, so I decided to take a chance on making it myself. (Real sushi is still an occasional treat, and I was craving it.)
It took about a day to do the whole process, but it was worth it! I could still taste the watermelon, but it took on a texture that mimicked tuna and tasted similar. It was delicious! If you want to try this mind-blowing watermelon “tuna” recipe, here’s how I did it.
How to Make Vegan Watermelon Tuna
I used a fully-packed cup of cubed watermelon. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your taste preferences and how much fruit you have. There’s also a YouTube video that shows the process in a little more detail that I found helpful.
- Add your watermelon to a bowl and drizzle with 1 tsp. sesame oil, 1 tsp. rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp. soy sauce, 1-2 Tbsp. neutral-flavored oil such as grapeseed and a pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes. Give it a gentle stir and marinate in a resealable bag or airtight container for at least 6 hours.
- Arrange watermelon pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet (reserve your marinade for later) and put in a 350ºF oven for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool. Drizzle some of the reserved marinade onto your watermelon. Roll in black and white sesame seeds, if desired. Enjoy!
I already loved watermelon in savory dishes like my favorite summer salad. However, I still can’t believe this vegan watermelon tuna turned out shockingly similar (in taste and texture) to the real thing. If you’re eating plant-based or don’t like eating raw fish, this is an excellent option for you. It’s delicious on its own, but I decided to make it a vegan dinner by serving it over some black sushi-style rice seasoned with furikake seasoning ($3, Trader Joe’s) and veggies. This watermelon tuna could make a great vegan sushirito, too.