EV’s Take: Greasy but Good Vegan Fish
When I took a bite of these vegan fish filets, I told my husband, “Gardein has someone with a good palate working there.” I stand by that sentiment, too, given how well they nailed the flavor profile of the Gardein vegan turk’y roast I reviewed recently. They just know how to get the perfect balance of flavors with no funky aftertaste and no bitter undertones. Their vegan fish filets are no exception. Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh has a subtle complexity, and they are lightly sweet, savory, and salty, with a hint of a fishy umami flavor. It’s not overpowering, and the flavors all work well together to create a perfectly balanced vegan fish filet that would work on a sandwich, in a taco, or with a side of fries and cole slaw.
Texturally, they are nice, too. The fish is flaky and delicate, and the breading is crispy and crunchy. If you look at the picture above, you can see how flaky the “meat” of the fish filet is! As I mentioned earlier, the greasiness is the only area where Gardein could improve their recipe. They are very oily, which isn’t so bad for the first few bites, but by the time you get to the end of the filet, it can feel a little nauseating.
Overall, these are an exceptional vegan fish filet. If you’re a meat eater looking to reduce your fish intake due to the environmental impact of overfishing, Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filets will definitely fill the fishy void in your life!
Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filet Ingredients
I haven’t figured out the exact difference between Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh and Gardein’s Regular F’sh Filet products. Nutritionally, they are similar and use soy as their protein source. I reached out to Gardein to clarify any notable differences between the two and will update this post when I hear back.
Here’s what’s in Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filet:
Water, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Textured Vegetable Protein Product (Soy Protein Concentrate, Titanium Dioxide), Canola Oil, Less Than 2% of: Potato Starch, Tapioca Starch, Salt, Methylcellulose, Yeast Extract, Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour, Wheat Gluten, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Sugar, Natural Flavors, Yeast, Paprika, Spices, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, DHA Algal Oil, Soy Flour, Xanthan Gum, Soybean Oil, Citric Acid, Turmeric, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate
Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filet Nutrition
| Serving Size | 1 filet (85g) |
| Calories | 150 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Sodium | 330mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 15g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g |
| Total Sugars | 1g |
| Protein | 9g |
Nutritionally, these seem balanced to me. Each filet delivers 9 grams of protein with 150 calories and 330mg of sodium. We didn’t find them too salty.
How to Cook Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filets:
Gardein suggests cooking their f’sh filets in the oven or the air fryer. We opted to cook them in the oven since I don’t have an air fryer, and they turned out perfectly crisp!
- Air Fryer: Place a single layer of f’sh filets in the fryer basket. Cook at 400ºF for 14 to 16 minutes, flipping once midway through.
- Conventional Oven: Preheat oven to 450ºF. Arrange the f’sh filets on a baking sheet and bake for 16 to 19 minutes, flipping once midway through.
How did EV eat Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filets?
Growing up, I loved fish sticks with ketchup, so that’s what I did here. I hoped to find a vegan tartar sauce, but it doesn’t seem like anyone makes that! Next time, I’ll try Hidden Veggies’ recipe for plant-based tartar sauce and serve these f’sh filets on a sandwich. Yum!
Where can I buy Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filets?
You can buy them at Target or Walmart or use Gardein’s store locator to find a retailer near you.
What do you think?
Have you tried Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based F’sh Filets? After reading our review, are you planning on throwing together a vegan Filet-O-Fish, or are you passing on them? Let us know in the comments!
