Enjoy a healthy and affordable twist on a classic with our Vegan Tuna Salad with Chickpeas. This plant-based, high-protein, and fiber-rich recipe is a quick and delicious substitute for traditional tuna salad, featuring no mayo, no egg, no tofu, and no oil.
Perfect for meal prep, this meatless version makes the best chickpea tuna sandwich, garbanzo tuna salad wraps, or a tasty addition to pasta for an easy lunch or dinner.
I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate chickpeas into my meals. They're a protein powerhouse that keeps me feeling full and satisfied.
From chickpea patties and spiced snacks to cold vegan pasta and quinoa chickpea salad, their versatility is endless!
This vegan tuna salad with chickpeas is another fantastic addition to my menu. It's basically a mock tuna salad, requiring no cooking, and ready in just 15 minutes.
Plus, it's completely fish-free and perfect for a satisfying lunch or protein-packed snack to enjoy with multiseed crackers or wrapped in tortillas.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Creamy and delicious: Offers a satisfying, tasty, and creamy alternative to traditional tuna salad.
- Great for meal prep: Ideal for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week.
- Big batch friendly: Easily double or triple the recipe to feed a crowd for potlucks, picnics, or gatherings.
- Budget-friendly: Uses inexpensive chickpeas and pantry staples, keeping it cost-effective.
- Meat-free and clean eating: Perfect for vegetarians, vegans, or those seeking a meatless option.
- No jackfruit, no tofu, no celery: Made with simple and easily accessible ingredients.
Ingredients
- Chickpeas (canned or home-cooked): The base of the salad, providing a hearty texture and rich source of protein and fiber.
- Vegan ranch dressing: Adds creaminess and tang, enhancing the flavor while keeping the dish plant-based.
- Avocado: Adds richness, healthy fats, and a touch of creaminess.
- Red onion & Scallions (spring onions): Red onions add a sharp, pungent flavor that balances the richness of the salad, while scallions also provide a mild onion taste and vibrant green color.
- Corn: Adds a touch of sweetness and pops of color. Frozen or canned work equally well.
- Pickles: Introduce a tangy, zesty flavor that complements the creaminess of the dressing.
- Mustard: A touch of mustard adds depth and a subtle kick.
- Lemon juice: Brightens flavors and adds acidity, balancing the other ingredients.
- Salt, dried garlic, ground black pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the flavors in the salad.
As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.
How To Make Garbazno Tuna Salad
Mash the chickpeas: To mash the chickpeas use a fork, potato masher, or pulse a few times in a blender/food processor. Leave some chickpeas whole for a bit of texture.
Mix: In a bowl, combine the mashed chickpeas with diced avocado, chopped scallions, diced onion, pickles, corn, mustard, lemon juice, and spices.
Season and serve: Give it a good mix until everything is incorporated. Mix everything until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings and lemon juice as needed.
Storage
Refrigeration: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
Meal Prep: Prepare the salad ahead of time for quick and convenient weekday lunches or dinners.
Substitutions
- Chickpeas - You can swap chickpeas for cannellini beans or white beans.
- Vegan ranch dressing - Instead of vegan ranch dressing, try using vegan mayonnaise or sour cream.
- Red onion & scallions - Chives, yellow or white onion work great as alternatives.
- Avocado - Replace with mashed silken tofu or vegan cream cheese.
- Pickles - Instead of pickles, consider using relish, capers, or chopped olives.
- Corn - Peas or diced bell peppers are good substitutes.
- Lemon juice - You can use lime juice or apple cider vinegar instead.
Variations
- Fresh herb burst: Add fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or cilantro for a vibrant flavor.
- Seaweed flavor: Enhance the salad with finely chopped nori sheets or seaweed powder for an oceanic umami flavor and added nutritional benefits.
- Soy sauce infusion: Incorporate a touch of soy sauce for a savory, umami twist.
Serving Ideas
- Make a vegan tuna salad sandwich! I like to make it with crispy lettuce, juicy tomato slices, and a soft sandwich bun.
- Try vegan tuna melt. Butter one side of each bread slice, place one butter side down in a hot skillet, add vegan cheese, top with vegan tuna, finish with another slice butter side up, and cook 1-2 minutes on both sides until toasty.
- Roll it up in a tortilla or wrap it with vegetables like spinach or shredded carrots for a quick and portable meal.
- Serve it over a bed of mixed greens or spinach for a light salad option. Add extra toppings like cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and avocado chunks.
- Use it as a stuffing for bell peppers, tomatoes, or avocado halves for a creative and nutritious twist.
- Serve it as a dip with crackers, pita chips, or fresh vegetable sticks for a delicious appetizer or snack.
- Create a nourishing grain bowl by serving the chickpea salad over cooked quinoa or brown rice, along with steamed vegetables and a drizzle of tahini or dressing of your choice.
- Serve it alongside roasted broccoli, yummy baked potatoes, or crispy potato latkes as an amazing appetizer or snack.
- As a topping for cucumber vinegar salad or Mediterranean cucumber tomato salad.
- Make it a filling for lettuce wraps.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Yes, chickpea tuna salad is a healthy option! Packed with protein and fiber from chickpeas, it's also oil-free and made with simple ingredients, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal.
Yes, you can skip the avocado or use mashed silken tofu, vegan cream cheese, or dairy-free yogurt instead.
More Budget-Friendly Vegan Meals
- Immunity-Boosting Detox Soup
- Low-Calorie Potato Soup
- Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Vegan Frittata with Chickpea Flour (No Eggs, No Tofu)
- Protein-Packed Quinoa Salad
- Spicy Red Lentil Carrot Soup
- Creamy Broccoli Soup Without Cream or Flour
- Warming Green Peas Stew
- Oyster Mushroom Dish
- Vegan Mac and Cheese Without Cashews
More Vegan Salad Recipes
📖 Recipe
Vegan Tuna Salad With Chickpeas (High-Protein & Fish-Free)
Equipment
- Fork, potato masher or blender
- Bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1+ ½ cups chickpeas (garbanzo beans) canned or home-cooked, rinsed, drained, mashed
- ⅓ cup homemade vegan ranch dressing or vegan mayo
- 1 ripe avocado medium-sized, diced
- 1 red onion small, finely diced
- 2 spring onions (scallions) finely chopped
- ⅓ cup corn frozen or canned
- 2 small pickles finely diced
- 1 ½ teaspoon mustard
- 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
- salt, dried garlic, ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- To mash the chickpeas use a fork, potato masher, or pulse a few times in a blender/food processor. Leave some chickpeas whole for a bit of texture.
- In a bowl, combine the mashed chickpeas with diced avocado, chopped scallions, diced onion, pickles, corn, mustard, lemon juice, and spices.
- Give it a good mix until everything is incorporated. Mix everything until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasonings and lemon juice as needed.
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4-5 days. Meal Prep: Prepare the salad ahead of time for quick and convenient weekday lunches or dinners.
Nutrition
If you try this vegan chickpea tuna salad, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @go_eatgreen on Instagram.
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Kayla DiMaggio says
This chickpea tuna salad sandwich recipe is so delicious! I loved all the flavors and it tasted just like tuna but without the fish!
Marinela says
I'm so glad you like my simple vegan tuna recipe, Kayla. Thank you for such a lovely comment!
Tavo says
I enjoyed these chickpea salad sandwiches. I used to eat a lot of tuna salad when I wasn't vegan and had never found a replacement! Thank you!
Marinela says
Oh, I'm happy you find a great replacement for fish, Tavo. Thank you, too, for taking the time to share your experience with us, I'm so glad you like it!
Jacqui says
This is such a wholesome recipe! All of these ingredients are so nourishing and tasty. Thank you so much for sharing.
Marinela says
I'm pleased you loved my vegan tuna, Jacqui. And thank you very much for commenting!
Shilpa says
This vegan salad looks so good. Filling and wholesome, love this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Marinela says
I'm glad you loved it, Shilpa. Thank you, too, for your lovely comment!
nancy says
really awesome recipe! everyone loved it.
Marinela says
That's great! I'm so happy you loved my easy vegan tuna salad. Thank you, Nancy!
Holly says
Quick, easy, and made for a tasty lunch at home!
Marinela says
Yes, it's perfect as a fast and easy homemade lunch. Thank you for commenting, Holly!
Aneta says
It will be my favourite tuna salad for sure... it tastes so good 🧡
Marinela says
Oh, it's my favorite too 🙂 I'm so happy you love it, Aneta. Thank you for your lovely comment, I really appreciate it!