Vegan Tuna Salad
The taste of the sea is on your plate in this Vegan Tuna Salad recipe. It is a satisfying vegan re-creation of the classic tuna salad, which has been my go-to lunch for years. The first time I tried a vegan tuna salad, I was in love. It was filled with all the original flavors, but there was no tuna!
This vegan version tastes so robust and flavorful that you won’t believe it doesn’t have any fish in it. Even if you are not vegan or vegetarian, this chickpea tuna recipe is so satisfying that you won’t miss the tuna. I love to use rye bread, which adds heartiness to the sandwich.
The inspiration for this vegan tuna salad on rye sandwich came from the vegan “tuna” salad I used to make when I worked at a deli on Long Island. I used to add potato chips on top of sandwiches in the deli to give them an extra crunch.
Chickpea Tuna
The canned chickpeas can be processed to imitate a tuna-like texture and then mixed with vegan mayonnaise, pickles, celery, onion, nori seaweed sheet, and mustard to create a high-protein tuna recipe in just a few minutes.
There are countless ways to enjoy this vegan tuna recipe. This vegan tuna salad is simple to make and tastes great. You can serve it as a dip or spread, a sandwich spread, or a wrap. It is also a filling and tasty addition to potato salad or pasta salad. You can even eat it with crackers.
Why Vegan Tuna Salad
This vegan chickpea salad is a delicious, easy, and healthy alternative to traditional tuna salad. When you need a delicious and filling meal without adding a lot of carbs and fats, this vegan tuna salad will satisfy your cravings!
Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy free, it is a perfect and quick vegan lunch recipe. Don’t forget about the incredible health benefits of chickpeas. They are a good source of fiber and protein and also great for lowering cholesterol and maintaining normal blood pressure.
Are chickpeas a good substitute for tuna?
Don’t fret; there’s nothing “fishy” in using Chickpeas as a substitute for traditional tuna in this recipe. Chickpeas are a great source of protein; they are relatively inexpensive and are an excellent substitute for tuna.
Chickpeas are often used in gluten-free and vegan recipes to replace meat to drop down the fat and carbs intake. Chickpeas can be used in salads, sandwiches, tacos, wraps, and stir-fries. It is one of the best sources of plant-based protein. It is inexpensive and easy to cook.
How to make Vegan Tuna Salad
This Vegan Tuna Salad has the flavor and texture of traditional tuna salad, but it’s completely vegan! For those new to vegan food, it may sound like many ingredients and steps, but worry not! This high-protein vegan recipe is an effortless dish to throw together. It’s easy to make, and you can use various vegan mayonnaise brands. So, what’s the delay in blending and tossing everything together?
Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans of cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 3 tbsp red onion diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 picked diced
- 1 nori seaweed sheet grinded
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pulse chickpeas in the food processor until it resembles a “tuna” consistency.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add chickpea mixture and the remaining ingredients and mix everything until smooth.
- Best served on toasted rye bread, but also great with crackers.
Pro Tips:
- Add more vegan mayonnaise or dairy-free sour cream if you want your salad to be creamier.
- An extra crunch can be added by chopping broccoli or sweet peppers.
- Don’t omit the nori seaweed sheet because it adds a nice sea flavor.
How to serve this vegan tuna salad?
Vegan tuna salad is easy to prepare. It can be served as a side dish with any vegan main dish. The best and most common way to enjoy this vegan chickpea salad is to use it as a sandwich filling.
You can also eat it with crackers, or scoop small portions of this vegan tuna on large lettuce leaves, roll them up and enjoy a delicious vegan treat!
Another great way to serve this chickpea tuna salad is to spread it on pita bread as a wrap with some additional of your additional favorite veggies in it.
Storage and Freezing
Storing – Homemade vegan tuna salad will stay fresh in a covered container in the fridge for 2-3 days. If it’s too thick, add a bit of vegan mayonnaise or even some vegan yogurt or vegan sour cream. Don’t forget to stir it well before serving.
Freezing – You can freeze the vegan tuna salad for up to 3 months by placing it in a freezer-safe container and sealing it properly. You can also put it in a freezer bag. However, when ready to use it, let it thaw out in the fridge overnight. It will help the salad to be fresh when ready to use it.
Does Vegan Tuna Taste like fish?
I would say no, the mixture doesn’t taste fishy on its own, but if you prefer a subtle ocean-like flavor, don’t forget to add a small amount of nori seaweed sheet, which adds a nice seafood flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoon red onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 2 pickles, diced
- 1 nori seaweed sheet, grinded
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Method
- Pulse chickpeas in the food processor until it resembles a “tuna” consistency.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add chickpea mixture and the remaining ingredients and mix everything together until smooth.
- Best served on toasted rye bread, but also great with crackers.
Vegan Tuna Salad
Ingredients
- 2 15oz cans cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 3 tbsp red onion diced
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 2 picked diced
- 1 nori seaweed sheet grinded
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tsp salt or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pulse chickpeas in the food processer until it resembles a “tuna” consistency.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add chickpea mixture, and the remaining ingredients and mix everything together until smooth.
- Best served on toasted rye bread, but also great with crackers.
