Recreating a vegan version of your favorite seafood dish is simple with these banana blossom recipes.
If you have never heard of banana blossoms, let me introduce you.
It’s the harvested blossom of the banana tree with a neutral flavor and a grain nearly identical to fish.
Banana blossoms are the ultimate vegan fish replacement for fish pie, crab cakes, fish tacos, and curries.
And yes, there’s even a fried fish recipe if you are craving fish and chips!
Put down that fishing pole and check out some delicious banana blossom recipes.
1. Banana Blossom Vegan Fish
Get your vegan tartar sauce ready, as you’ll need it!
These battered and deep-fried banana blossoms make the ultimate vegan fish and chips.
The flavor of banana blossoms is neutral, which means all the flavor lies in the batter.
It incorporates dill, turmeric, pickle juice, and lemon to keep things nice and bright.
And to capture a delicate fish flavor, add crushed nori to the flour mixture. Tah-da: vegan fried fish!
2. Vegan Crab Cakes with Chickpeas and Dill
These vegan crab cakes are the perfect blend of textures and spices and are not overly fishy.
If you aren’t a big fish fan but make an exception for crab cakes, you might like this vegan option better than the real thing!
With banana blossoms and chickpeas, the textures are amazing.
And pair those textures with light spices like dill, shallots, and garlic, and it’s heavenly.
3. Vegan Banana Blossom Paella
Paella is the ultimate Spanish comfort food, but traditional recipes blend seafood and chicken.
The banana blossoms in this recipe work double-duty as a seafood and chicken replacement.
Banana blossoms work so well in this Spanish paella because they have a neutral flavor, like tofu, that soaks up the dish’s flavors.
With bold spices like saffron, garlic, capers, and smoked paprika, it’s insanely flavorful while maintaining the textures of chicken or fish.
4. Vegan Fish Tacos
There’s nothing I love more than a good fish taco.
With a crunchy fried fish fillet, creamy sauces, and crunchy cabbage slaw, it’s a beautiful thing.
The great thing about these fish tacos is that they aren’t overly fishy.
They incorporate Old Bay seasoning, kombu, and a hint of lemon juice.
Pair it with creamy vegan slaw and crunchy radishes, and don’t forget the tortilla chips!
5. Banana Blossom Roasted “Cod” with Vegetables
At a glance, this banana blossom roasted cod looks precisely like the real thing!
It has the same flaky, meaty texture as a hearty cod fillet but is 100 percent vegan.
Natural cod isn’t overly fishy, so the added fish flavors are mild.
For a delicate hint of the ocean, the banana blossoms marinate in mushroom seasoning and dried seaweed.
The marinated banana blossoms are good, and the sauce is even better!
It’s bright and lemony with a salty kick from capers and kalamata olives.
6. Banana Blossom in Coconut Milk and Shrimp
Looking for something a little different?
This banana blossom in coconut milk recipe is sweet, fragrant, and a super easy weeknight dinner (that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen).
While the recipe calls for shrimp, you can easily replace it with more banana blossoms to keep it vegan.
The flavorful sauce incorporates coconut milk for sweetness that pairs perfectly with seasonings like garlic, onion, ginger, and fish sauce.
7. Banana Blossom “Chicken” Burgers
I know first-hand that fake meat options may have the flavor of meat, but the texture is always lacking.
However, these banana blossom chicken burgers capture the grain of chicken perfectly!
It coats flaky banana blossoms in a thick batter and then deep-fried to golden perfection.
The outside is nice and crispy, while the inside is tender and flaky- just like chicken!
Pop it in a sandwich, and pile on all your favorite chicken sandwich fixings.
8. Banana Blossom Salad
Banana blossom salad, or Yum Hua Plee, is a traditional Thai side dish.
It’s bright and fragrant, yet much more hearty than a summer salad.
It pairs tender banana blossoms with unlikely ingredients like grapefruit, roasted peanuts, chili fish sauce, and fresh mint.
It’s savory, spicy, sweet, and so refreshing. Serve it as a meal or a hearty side dish to curry or noodle dishes.
9. Banana Blossom Burrito Bowl
Is there anything better than a burrito bowl?
I amp up the beans for more protein when I make vegan burrito bowls at home.
But this recipe takes it to a new level with sauteed banana blossoms.
Sauted banana blossoms in spicy Mexican flavors add a superb, flaky finish to this super simple (yet filling) meal.
10. Banana Flower Stir-Fry
The banana flower takes center stage in this classic Sri Lankan dish!
If you want something insanely flavorful and unique, look no further.
This banana flower stir-fry pairs bold spices like red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and chili powder with tender banana blossoms.
Serve this spicy dish over a bed of spinach, and for non-vegans, you can top it with a perfectly fried egg to tame the heat.
11. Banana Blossom Vegan Pasta Salad
This vegan banana blossom pasta salad makes a beautiful side dish or main course.
It pairs tender chunks of banana blossoms that soak up the wonderful flavors from a vegan mayo base.
With plenty of fresh crunchy veggies and tender pasta, it’s a simple recipe that’s hard to put down.
It’s creamy, meaty, flavorful, and 100 percent vegan!
Serve it up at your next summer BBQ, and watch it disappear before the hot dogs!
12. Coconut and Chilli Banana Blossom Noodle Curry
Need to fit in a hearty portion of greens for dinner?
This coconut and chili banana blossom curry is chock full of greens but tastes rich and indulgent.
The marinated banana blossoms are the real star of the show here.
The flavors are out of this world, with bright sesame oil, garlic, ginger, chilis, and coconut milk marinade.
It’s bright and fragrent with the perfect amount of added heat.
When paired with tender noodles and crunchy veggies, it tastes like something out of an expensive restaurant!
13. Ultimate Vegan Fish Pie
Fish pie is a classic recipe that takes like home. With a mashed potato crust and a creamy fish filling, it’s comfort food at its finest.
And what I love most about this vegan fish pie recipe is that it is delicately fishy sans the fish.
It combines banana blossoms with a hint of nori (for that fishy flavor).
It has a creamy consistency made from cashew creamy and nutritional yeast.
Serve it as a main course alongside earthy peas or a crispy side salad.
13 Best Banana Blossom Recipes to Try
These banana blossom recipes give the illusion of eating seafood while remaining plant-based! From fried fish to crab cakes, you’ll want to try all of these dishes.
Ingredients
Banana Blossom Vegan Fish
Vegan Crab Cakes with Chickpeas and Dill
Vegan Banana Blossom Paella
Vegan Fish Tacos
Banana Blossom Roasted “Cod” with Vegetables
Banana Blossom in Coconut Milk and Shrimp
Banana Blossom “Chicken” Burgers
Banana Blossom Salad
Banana Blossom Burrito Bowl
Banana Flower Stir-Fry
Banana Blossom Vegan Pasta Salad
Coconut and Chilli Banana Blossom Noodle Curry
Ultimate Vegan Fish Pie
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a banana blossom recipe in 30 minutes or less!
