Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

All it takes is everyday ingredients who thought they were in for another boring day in your kitchen to make this delicious, easy family favorite. This delightful vegan chickpea 'tuna' salad is a true crowd-pleaser. Its quick and easy preparation makes it an instant favorite!

My mom often made a delicious tuna (or chicken) salad with whatever we had on hand—usually apples, celery, onions, and spices mixed with mayo and mustard. Its sweet and savory flavors sparked my love for that combination.

Inspired by those memories, I recreated her salad using plant-based ingredients. Similar to the filling in the Vegan Tunacado Sandwich, this vegan version swaps tuna or chicken for chickpeas and vegan mayo while keeping the same sweet and savory flavors.

Think of this recipe as a flexible guide—perfect for customizing with your favorite veggies and spices. It’s also a great Vegan Lunch Box Idea.

For more chickpea recipes, try Easy Falafel Pita Sandwich, Vegan Chickpea Coconut Curry Soup, or Vegan Chickpea and Potato Turnovers.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Easy: It comes together in minutes, making it perfect for a fast lunch or light dinner.
• Versatile: It’s highly customizable. Add veggies, herbs, or spices to suit your taste.
• Nourishing: Chickpeas are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, so this dish is a wholesome option that you can feel good about.
• Great for Meal Prep and Lunchboxes: It stores well in the fridge, making it ideal for meal prepping or enjoying throughout the week in your lunchbox.
• Perfect for Sandwiches or Salads: Enjoy it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps, or add it to a bed of greens for a delicious salad.
• No Cooking Required: No need to turn on the stove or oven, making it a breeze to prepare, especially on hot days.

Ingredients

This is everything you'll need to make a delicious chickpea tuna salad. See the recipe card for suggested quantities.

• Chickpeas - partially smash the chickpeas to your desired consistency. I usually leave about half or a little less than half intact.
• Vegan mayo - the flavor gap between vegan and traditional mayo is unnoticeable. I have tried many brands, and they are all excellent, but I usually go with Hellmann's or Best Foods. You can find them at all major grocery stores.
• Apple - I love how the sweetness of the apple counters the savory of the capers and red onions. Substitute with other sweet ingredients like relish (yum) or cranberries.
• Dill - is optional. It harmonizes with the other ingredients well (especially capers and lemon juice) and adds a fresh taste. You can sub with cilantro or parsley if you prefer a different fresh herb.

Variations

• Mediterranean Chickpea Salad: Include ingredients like kalamata olives, diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs like parsley and mint. Add olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and a bit of tahini to the dressing.
• Curried Chickpea Salad: Add curry powder, turmeric, diced red onion, shredded carrot, and raisins or currants. For sweetness, the dressing can mix vegan mayo, lemon juice, and a touch of agave or maple syrup.
• Greek Inspired Chickpea Salad: Add cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, fresh herbs like parsley and dill, and even grapes. Use olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a touch of dried oregano for the dressing.

How To Make Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad

This is all you'll be doing! See the recipe card for details on this dish.

Step 1: Drain and wash a can of chickpeas. Smash about half of the chickpeas using a fork or a potato masher.

Step 2: Chop the veggies and add to the bowl

Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. It's that simple!

Serving Suggestions

• Enjoy it chilled and straight from the bowl for a refreshing, light meal.
• Spoon it onto crunchy lettuce leaves for an appealing low-carb lunch. This is a perfect meal for picnics or potlucks! There's nothing to worry about going bad or getting soggy.
• Pile vegan chickpea salad onto a slice of toasted rustic bread like sourdough for a satisfying open or closed-faced sandwich. Top it with cherry tomatoes and avocado or arugula and sunflower seeds.
• Roll it up in a wrap with shredded carrots and sliced radishes for a portable lunch on the go. Perfect for kids' lunchboxes.
• Pair it with a bowl of warm soup like Vegetable Orzo Soup for a comforting dinner, or serve it alongside grilled vegetables like Pesto Roasted Vegetables for a delicious summer meal.

Top Tips

• If you plan to use your chickpea salad as a sandwich filling, ensure your ingredients are chopped finely enough to create a cohesive mixture that won’t fall out of the bread.
• Resting Time: If possible, let your vegan chickpea salad rest in the fridge for a bit before serving it. This allows the flavors to meld together and makes the salad taste even better.
• Spices: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different spices. Even a small amount can transform the flavor profile of your salad. Try spices like poultry seasoning for a more chicken salad flavor, cumin, coriander, paprika, or even a bit of cayenne for a kick.
• Did you run out of mayo, or did someone put it back with ½ teaspoon of mayo left? No worries, I have made this many times without the mayo. Instead, I only use the Dijon mustard, or sometimes I substitute it with hummus or mashed avocado. The result is still delicious.
• Feel free to customize the salad with different add-ins based on what you like or what you have on hand. Things like olives, sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even some toasted nuts or seeds can add extra flavor and texture.

Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad FAQS