Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad – Elavegan

by he on 2. July, 2023 | give feedback. This post may contain affiliate links*. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This easy chickpea tuna salad is bright, creamy, crunchy and a perfect vegan tuna replacement for sandwiches and crackers! The recipe is plant-based, gluten-free, easy to prepare and a great appetizer, side dish or snack.

Creamy, tangy, vibrant vegan chickpea tuna salad

If you’ve recently been craving tuna, this chickpea tuna salad recipe is a must-try. Using chickpeas as a base, this vegan tuna salad has the same flavor profile as the real thing but is 100% vegetarian. It’s creamy, savory, tangy, slightly fishy (thanks to the nori and capers), and has all the right textures and mouthfeel – combining mashed chickpeas, for a slightly chewy tuna-like texture, a creamy mayo with crisp celery, red onion and pickles. -based sauces.

Even better, this mock tuna salad not only tastes great, but it requires no cooking (perfect for summer days), is ready in minutes, and is packed with plant-based protein and fiber. It’s made with simple everyday ingredients (and much more sustainable), meal prep friendly, easily customizable, and a truly satisfying vegan tuna replacement that you can enjoy in a dozen different ways!

Looking for more summer-friendly salads? See my recipe for Vegetarian Pasta Salad, Vegetarian Potato Salador Mediterranean Orzo Salad.

material

• Chickpeas: (garbanzo beans) Use home-cooked (about 1 ½ cups per can) or canned chickpeas (low-sodium if preferred).
• Celery: To add fresh crunch and flavor.
• Red Onion: I prefer the stronger flavor of raw red onions, although you can use milder green onions if you prefer.
• Sulfa pickle: Or pickled relish for a sweet, bright, tangy flavor and crunch.
• Caper: (Optional) Although optional, capers enhance the fishiness and add tang to the vegan tuna recipe.

dressing

• Vegan Mayonnaise: Use your favorite Vegan mayonnaise. Alternatively, tahini sauce will work well.
• Lemon Syrup: or lemon juice to add brightness and tang (add zest for extra flavor). Alternatively, apple cider vinegar can work.
• Dijon Mustard: This ingredient adds tang and depth with subtle heat. Regular turmeric mustard will also work.
• Nori Sheet: These seaweed sheets add to the overall ‘fishiness’, helping it taste like tuna. Dullse Flex will also work.
• Dried Dill: Pairs wonderfully ‘fishy’ with dill. Use 3x the amount of fresh dill instead, if preferred. Alternatively, fresh parsley pairs well.
• Salt and black pepper: Season the chickpea salad to taste.

What else can I add to a vegan tuna salad?

• Garlic Powder: Just a little mock tuna adds depth to the salad.
• Nutrition Facts: Umami to enhance flavor and complexity. Miso paste will also work to enhance the umami.
• Spices: If you like a kick, add a pinch of chili powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, a drizzle of hot sauce, or even a pickled jalapeño.
• Avocado: Adding a little avocado to the dressing adds heart-healthy fats and antioxidants while creating a richer, creamier, no-tuna salad.
• More vegetables: Add extra color and garnish with finely chopped red bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots (shredded), and/or corn.
• Olives: Finely chopped for any color, subtle tangy, bright flavor.
• Chia seeds: To add omega-3.

for Full ingredient list, measurements, full recipe method, and nutrition information, Read the recipe card below.

How to Make Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

• First, roughly chop the red onion, celery, and dill pickles and transfer them to a food processor along with the rest of the ingredients.
• Stir the mixture about 8-12 times until it is well combined but still has plenty of texture.

or,

• If you don’t have a food processor, first finely chop the vegetables, transfer the chickpeas to a medium-large bowl and mash roughly with a fork or potato masher, then add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Finally, taste the vegan tuna salad and adjust any seasonings (mayo, lemon/lime, mustard, dill, salt and pepper). Enjoy!

Storage instructions

go ahead: Chickpea Tuna Salad tastes better given a day for all the flavors to blend, so I highly recommend making it a day in advance (or enough for leftovers!).

shop: Transfer mock tuna salad to an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. The flavors will continue to charge over time, so feel free to liven it up before serving with additional lemon juice, mustard, or salt and pepper.

What to serve with chickpea tuna salad?

• Make a vegan tuna Sandwich or roll (optional side of soup)
• Spread on a bagel
• A vegan tuna melt
• Scoop up with crackersPita chips, raw vegetables
• A bed of leafy greens (or in lettuce cups)
• scooped on a boiled potatoes
• Avocado or cucumber boat stuff

FAQs

Is chickpea tuna healthy?

Chickpeas are not only a great source of plant-based protein, vitamin C, folate, iron, magnesium, antioxidants and lots of fiber. When combined with celery and red onion, you’ll get even more nutrients.

However, even though vegan mayo has lower saturated fat levels than classic mayo, it is still consumed in moderation. I often substitute some or all of the mayo tahini sauce. A creamy vegan yogurt can also work.

Can you freeze chickpea tuna salad?

I do not recommend freezing this vegan tuna salad, as there are several fresh ingredients that will be texturally affected by the freezing and thawing process.

Recipe tips

• Adjust the texture: There are a few ways this can be affected. Firstly, how well you mash/pass the chickpeas, and secondly, how finely you grind them. For the most realistic ‘tuna’ texture, the chickpeas should be mashed fairly well but still with plenty of texture (not a paste!).
• Leave the flavors to combine: This vegan tuna salad benefits greatly from at least 30 minutes of resting time before serving. During this time, the flavors meld and become a well-rounded, delicious salad.

Other Vegan Salad Recipes

If you try this easy vegan chickpea tuna salad recipe, I’d love one Comment and ★★★★★ Recipe rating Down below. Also, please don’t forget Tag me in a re-creation on Instagram or Facebook with @ellavegan And #Elvegan– I love to see them.

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