Chickpea Tuna Salad

Load this Chickpea Tuna Salad into sandwiches, wraps, salads, and more! Flaky mashed chickpeas replace the tuna in this picnic-perfect dish. An instant hit with all kinds of eaters!

Looking for more vegan recipes to bring to the picnic? Try my Pesto Pasta Salad, Avocado Spread, White Bean Salad, and Curry Chickpea Salad.

vegan chickpea tuna salad sandwich with butter lettuce stacked on plate showing thick filling

Besides the salty and ‘fishy’ tasting nori sheets (or kelp granules), the secret behind this vegan tuna salad is the mashed chickpeas. They become delightfully flaky when mashed, giving this salad the perfect hearty, creamy base. And when combined with a few briny veggies and vegan mayo, you’re left with the most delicious flavors and textures!

Bring this to the picnic or potluck, make it for meal prep, or scoop up every bite with crackers. No matter how you enjoy it, this creamy chickpea tuna salad will fill you up while curbing your tuna salad cravings.

Why you’ll love this vegan tuna salad recipe

A picnic classic made vegan – This chickpea tuna salad recipe replaces tuna for plant-based ingredients! Even if you eat fish, this is a delightful sandwich spread on it’s own.
Very versatile – Leave out the nori or kelp if desired, add more briny veggies like capers and pepperoncinis, use store bought vegan mayo or my homemade cashew mayo, tofu mayo or mix in some mashed avocado in place of the mayo.
A super speedy lunch – It only takes 10 minutes to assemble this vegan tuna salad in one bowl.

How to make chickpea tuna salad

Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas, then transfer them to a large bowl. Mash them with a potato masher or fork until they’re mostly creamy. You want to leave as few whole beans behind as possible. You can use a food processor for this if you want, just don’t over mix them.

potato mashed smashing chickpeas in glass bowl

Chop the nori and add it to the bowl with the chickpeas. Add the dill pickle relish, lemon juice, celery, red onion, vegan mayo, and salt/pepper. Add any additional optional ingredients, such as chopped capers and pepperoncinis to give it more of a kick.

Tip: Sheets of nori give this salad its ‘fish-like’ flavor but you can also use 1 teaspoon of kelp granules as a substitute. To chop the nori, kitchen scissors work, or a knife and cutting board.

Stir to combine, then give it a taste and add more salt and pepper to round out the flavors, as needed. Enjoy the salad right away or let it chill in the fridge before serving.

glass bowl with mashed chickpeas, some veggies and pickles and mayo

Variations

Put your own spin on the salad with any of these variations and mix in ideas:

Mayo-free – Swap the vegan mayo for mashed avocado or plain vegan yogurt.
Fresh herbs – Stir in a bunch of fresh dill or parsley for a refreshing, herbal flavor.
Grapes – Like my Vegan Chicken Salad, you can add chopped green or red grapes for a sweeter chickpea salad. Or chopped apples.
Nuts – If you like crunch, toss in a handful of walnuts, pecans, or chopped almonds. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are great, too!
Briny things – Stir in chopped green or black olives, capers, or chopped pepperoncini peppers for a slightly saltier, briny flavor.

glass bowl filled with chickpea tuna salad with a spoon

Frequently asked questions

Can I make this salad with dry chickpeas?

Yes, you can cook dry chickpeas from scratch if you’d like! They’ll take longer but will make the salad taste great. To cook, soak 1 ½ cups of dry chickpeas overnight in water, then boil them in fresh water until they’re soft.

Can I mash the chickpeas in a blender or food processor instead?

Yes, you can use a blender or food processor to mash the chickpeas instead. Just be careful not to over-blend, as you want the chickpeas to have some texture and not turn into a paste.

What should I serve with chickpea tuna salad?

You really can’t beat stuffing this salad in between slices of bread for epic vegan tuna salad sandwiches! Pair them with my Vegan Broccoli Salad, french fries, or this Fruit Salad for a delicious and healthy lunch, or wrap them up and bring them to a picnic. They’d go great paired with even more vegan picnic recipes, like Vegan Macaroni Salad, Vegan Egg Salad, and Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

Did you end up with leftover chickpea tuna salad? It’s a wonderful snack you can scoop up with crackers or layer on top of a leafy green salad for extra protein and flavor. You can even use it to make vegan tuna melts by layering it on two slices of buttered bread with a slice of vegan cheese, then pan-frying them until warm.

How long does chickpea tuna salad last?

After it’s assembled, transfer the salad to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I don’t recommend freezing the leftovers because the salad will be watery after thawing.

close up of chickpea tuna salad in a sandwich with grey background

*This recipe was originally published in May 2018, and has been republished with new photos and writing.

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