Vegan Tuna Melt

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Vegan TUNA
How to make the best and most authentic Vegan Tuna melt has been a mission for me for some time. When I say I have made and eaten more vegan tuna melts than I care to admit I really mean it.
Before going vegan eating a tuna melt was one of my favorite hot sandwiches ever. So of course when I went vegan I was intent on recreating a vegan-style tuna melt that transported me back in time. I am very excited to share the 1 step that changed the flavor of this vegan tuna melt forever.
This vegan recipe hits all of the classic notes, it’s creamy with tons of fresh dill, capers deliver acid, and notes of brine, and Dijon mustard adds that special pop. Piled high on a slice of crispy bread that is smothered with vegan cheese custard and you have the perfect vegan melt.
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Le Creuset Skillet

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 11.75" (2-3/8 qt.), Cerise
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 11.75″ (2-3/8 qt.), Cerise
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Cutting Board

Bamboo Wood Cutting Board for Kitchen, 1" Thick Butcher Block, Cheese Charcuterie Board, with Side Handles and Juice Grooves, 16x11"
Bamboo Wood Cutting Board for Kitchen, 1″ Thick Butcher Block, Cheese Charcuterie Board, with Side Handles and Juice Grooves, 16×11″
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Le Creuset Sauce Pan

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Saucepan, 2.25 qt., Cerise
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Saucepan, 2.25 qt., Cerise
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How To Make Vegan Tuna

ADDING EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL TO PAN FOR KELP OIL
Warm Olive Oil.
KELP GRANULES AND EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Add kelp granules to give this recipe the taste of the sea.
GARBANZO BEANS
Drain & rinse garbanzo beans.
CUT AND SMASHED GARBANZO BEANS
Then cut and mash to give an authentic texture.
UNTUNA INGREDIENTS
Collect all of the ingredients.
ALL INGREDIENTS FOR UNTUNA
Combine them with classic vegan mayo.
ADDING KELP OIL
The cooled kelp oil.
ADDING KELP OIL TO UNTUNA
Combined the kelp oil with all of the ingredients.
 
MIXING UNTUNA
Mix to incorporate.
Finished Vegan Tuna
 The finished tuna can be placed in the refrigerator until it’s time to build your sandwich.

How to Make Cheesy Custard

CHEESY INGREDIENTS IN BOWL CLOSE UP
Mixing ingredients
CHEESY CUSTARD MIXED
Smooth & creamy vegan custard
SLICED BREAD PORTIONS
Slicing the bread
CHEESY CUSTARD ON SLICED BREAD
Adding the cheesy custard
COOKING TOAST
Toasting the bread
PERFECT GOLDEN BROWN BOTTOM OF TOAST
Toasted to perfect golden brown
finished vegan tuna

Chefs Tips

The kelp oil brings the flavor of the sea and the fat to mimic the textures of tuna. For those on an oil-free diet, this step can be left out.

Serving suggestions:

Make this vegan tuna into a salad, sandwich, or casserole.
Vegan TUNA
Those Vegan Chefs

Vegan Tuna Salad Sandwich

5 from 1 vote
This vegan tuna melt recipe hits all of the classic notes, it's creamy with tons of fresh dill, capers deliver acid, and notes of brine, and Dijon mustard adds that special pop. Piled high on a slice of crispy bread that is smothered with vegan cheese custard and you have the perfect vegan tuna melt.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 Sandwiches
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 204
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Kelp Oil
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 Tbsp kelp granules
Vegan Tuna
  • 1 can garbanzo beans
  • ½ cup classic vegan mayo see recipe
  • 1 Tbsp caper brine liquid
  • 1 Tbsp sweet pick relish
  • 2 Tbsp capers chopped
  • 2 Tbsp scallions sliced thinly
  • 1 Tbsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 2 Tbsp parsley fresh chopped
  • 1 Tbsp dill fresh, lightly chopped
Cheese Custard 
  • 1 cup classic vegan mayo  see recipe
  • 1 Tbsp potato starch 
  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast 
  • ½ Tbsp mushroom powder 
For the sandwich
  • 4 Tbsp vegan butter 
  • Sourdough Bread or Country French Bread 

Method
 

How to make kelp oil
  1. Warm the extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add the kelp granules, and stir to combine cooking for 1-2 minutes. Allow the kelp granules to steep for a minimum of 30 minutes. The more time the kelp granules spend in the oil the better the flavor.
How to make vegan tuna
  1. Rinse and drain the garbanzo beans with cold water.
  2. Chop the garbanzo beans by hand. This gives us more control over the size of the pieces. It also allows us to smash some of the beans with the side of the knife. The combination of cutting and mashing creates a creamy texture with larger pieces giving the vegan tuna a nice bite.
  3. Add the sliced scallions, sweet relish, chopped parsley, Old Bay seasoning, dill, and classic vegan mayo.
  4. Add the kelp oil, and stir to combine. Keep cool until time to build the Vega tuna melt.
How cheese custard
  1. Combine the classic vegan mayo, with the nutritional yeast, potato starch, and mushroom.
  2. Whisk to combine, set aside.
Building the vegan tuna melt
  1. Preheat the broil.
  2. Cut the bread into 1/2 inch thick slices.
  3. Spread a generous layer on the sliced bread, and spread the cheesy custard to the edge of the bread.
  4. Heat a sauté pan over medium-low heat, and add a nub of vegan butter to the pan. The butter should be melted, and just starting to sizzle before adding the toast.
  5. Sauté the bottom of the bread until golden brown and crisp.
  6. Once the bottom of the bread is cooked place the pan under the broiler, cooking for about 1 minute. The edges of the bread should be lightly toasted, and the cheesy custard should be a light golden brown on top
  7. Pile the vegan tuna on top of the cheesy custard, garnish with fresh dill fronds and serve.

Notes

Nutritional values are an estimate.

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