01
Tuna
10.0best for marinade1 lb : 1 lb
Firm texture; works in stir-fries and salads
10.0
shrimp substitute
for marinade.
Marinated shrimp absorbs acid and salt to a depth of only 3-4 mm in 15-30 minutes because its muscle fibers are short and loosely packed. Any longer than 45 minutes at pH under 4 and citric acid denatures the myosin into a ceviche. A marinade swap must match that shallow penetration profile and cure-timing window, or the recipe's acid-salt balance breaks entirely.
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adjustment for marinade
Tuna loin denatures under acid at pH 3.8 just like shrimp — limit citrus marinade to 15 minutes or the cube cures opaque. 1:1 by pound, 3/4-inch dice, penetration depth 3-4 mm. Salt at 1.2% by weight; any more and it cold-cures before the grill ever sees it.
02
Monkfish Fish
10.0best for marinade1 cup : 1 cup
Firm sweet flesh nicknamed poor man's lobster; cube for scampi and paella
10.0
adjustment for marinade
Monkfish's dense muscle takes 45-60 minute marinade penetration to 3 mm — longer than shrimp's 15-30 minutes because of tighter myofibril packing. 1:1 by cup, 3/4-inch cube, acid pH above 4 to prevent ceviche effect, salt at 1.4% by weight for even cure.
03
Halibut Fish
10.0best for marinade1 cup : 1 cup
Firm mild white fish; cube and sauté for stir-fries or pasta in place of shrimp
10.0
adjustment for marinade
Halibut marinates in 20-30 minutes at pH 3.8-4.2, penetrating the lower 1.3% fat flesh to 4 mm depth. 1:1 by cup, 3/4-inch cube, 1.3% salt by weight. Longer than 40 minutes and citric acid begins cooking the surface — pull it and pat dry before the grill.
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04
Tempeh
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Cube small and marinate in Old Bay and lemon
10.0
adjustment for this dish
Tempeh's porous soybean cake sucks marinade to full depth in 20 minutes; unlike shrimp, it won't ceviche-cure in acid. 1:1 by cup, 1/2-inch cube. Old Bay + lemon + 1 tbsp oil penetrates cleanly. Add 1 tsp soy for the glutamate punch shrimp naturally brings.
05
Seitan
10.01 cup : 1 cup
Cube or strip seitan for stir-fries and skewers; marinate to boost flavor
10.0
adjustment for this dish
Seitan's wheat-gluten matrix accepts marinade only at surface — 1-2 mm depth in 30 minutes — because it lacks the loose myofibril structure shrimp has. 1:1 by cup, 1/2-inch cube, soy-mirin-sesame 2:1:1 blend. Salt at 1.5% by weight; acid is optional since there's no protein to denature.