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Home » Recipe Index » Lunch/Dinner Entree

Chickpea Tuna Salad

Modified: May 3, 2025 · Published: Jul 5, 2024 by Gigi & Sersie · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Chickpea Tuna Salad delivers all the nostalgic flavor of classic tuna salad without the fish. You may also like our carrot-based Vegan Tuna Salad as well.

Vegan chickpea tuna salad in a bowl with lemon wedge on the side; green salad blurred in the background.

This chickpea tuna salad is creamy, tangy, and loaded with texture, making it perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a hearty salad topper. Made with whole plant food ingredients, this healthy vegan recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, oil-free, Daniel Fast compliant, and takes only 15 minutes to prepare.

Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • What You Need to Make This Chickpea Tuna Salad
  • Substitutions and Variations
  • How to Prepare
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Related Recipes to Check Out
  • Chickpea Tuna Salad (Vegan)

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make
  • Whole food plant-based, oil-free, gluten-free, and soy-free
  • Packed with flavor and satisfying texture
  • Great for meal prep
  • Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or salads

What You Need to Make This Chickpea Tuna Salad

Ingredients for vegan chickpea tuna salad: chickpeas, vegan mayo, celery, coconut aminos, Dijon mustard, capers, red onion and nori seaweed.
  1. Chickpeas are the hearty, protein-rich base of the salad. When mashed, they create a flaky texture similar to tuna.
  2. Celery adds crunch and a fresh, slightly peppery flavor.
  3. Nori seaweed contributes a mild, ocean-like flavor reminiscent of tuna.
  4. Capers (or chopped dill pickles) add a briny, tangy burst of flavor.
  5. Cashew-based vegan mayo (alternatively, for low-fat, use the tofu-based vegan mayo) makes the salad creamy and satisfying.

A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found on the recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

  • If you don’t have nori, you can substitute dulse flakes or leave it out entirely.
  • Swap red onion with green onion or shallots for a milder flavor.
  • Add chopped green olives or more pickles if you’re out of capers.
  • Mix in chopped herbs like dill or parsley for extra freshness.

How to Prepare

Start by draining and rinsing a can of chickpeas. If you're making dried beans from scratch, you want 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas.

Chickpeas being smashed with a wooden spoon.

Step 1: Place the drained chickpeas in a mixing bowl and smash them with a wooden spoon to achieve the desired texture.

Nori seaweed being cut with kitchen scissors.

Step 2: Use clean kitchen scissors to finely chop nori seaweed. Chop the celery and onion.

Ingredients for chickpea tuna salad in a large mixing bowl.

Step 3: Add chopped nori seaweed and all other ingredients to the bowl with the smashed chickpeas.

Chickpea tuna salad being mixed with a wooden spoon in a mixing bowl.

Step 4: Stir well to combine. Salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy immediately.

The easiest way to enjoy this vegan tuna salad is on a bed of mixed salad greens, dressed with fresh lemon juice.

Vegan chickpea tuna salad over a bed of mixed salad greens and fresh lime wedge on the side; and fork.

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Serving Suggestions

  • Serve on a bed of mixed baby salad greens, or for a nutrient powerhouse, add to our Rainbow Salad.
  • Spoon over our Kale and Avocado Salad for a delicious and hearty meal.
  • Enjoy on toasted sourdough or whole grain bread with lettuce and tomato, with a dill pickle on the side.
  • Use in a wrap with a Romaine lettuce leaf or collard green leaf, similar to what we did with our Vegan Chickpea Salad recipe.

Recipe FAQs

How do I store leftovers?

Leftovers keep well in a covered container for up to four days. Freezing is not recommended because it affects the texture of the chickpeas and fresh ingredients.

What is a good vegan substitute for tuna in tuna salad?

Chickpeas are the most popular substitute. When mashed and combined with savory, tangy ingredients, they create a texture and flavor profile similar to tuna. For another twist, finely shredded carrot is a fantastic substitute. Check out our carrot-based Vegan Tuna Salad.

Is chickpea tuna healthy?

Yes. Chickpeas are rich in protein, fiber, iron, and magnesium, which support energy, digestion, and heart health. Nori seaweed provides iodine to support thyroid function. Celery and red onion offer antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon juice is high in vitamin C and helps with iron absorption. Overall, this chickpea tuna is high in nutrients and free of cholesterol and the neurotoxin methylmercury contained in regular tuna.

Can I substitute with store-bought vegan mayo?

Yes, but it will not be oil-free since store-bought mayo contains oil and other preservatives to maintain shelf life.

A bowl of chickpea tuna salad with a fork lifting some out.

This Chickpea Tuna Salad is simple, nutritious, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a protein boost, or a plant-based alternative to classic tuna salad, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s a go-to for busy days, meal prep, and anyone wanting to eat more whole plant foods without sacrificing flavor.

Related Recipes to Check Out

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    Vegan Tuna Salad
  • top view close up of vegan chickpea salad in a white bowl with romaine lettuce leaf on the side
    Vegan Chickpea Salad
  • Curry tofu salad in a bowl with thinly sliced green onion.
    Curry Tofu Salad
  • top view close up of vegan pesto pasta salad with tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, fresh chopped parsley in white bowl
    Vegan Pesto Pasta Salad

If you tried this Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad or any other recipe on our website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments below! We love to get your feedback for improvement.

A bowl of chickpea tuna salad with a fork lifting some out.

Chickpea Tuna Salad (Vegan)

5 from 2 votes
Course: Lunch/Dinner Entrée
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 214kcal
Author: Gigi & Sersie
Print Pin Rate
This Chickpea Tuna Salad delivers all the nostalgic flavor of classic tuna salad without the fish. It’s creamy, tangy, and loaded with texture, making it perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a hearty salad topper. 

Ingredients  

  • 1 15- ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ½ to 1 nori sheet, finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp capers (or minced dill pickle)
  • ⅓ cup diced celery
  • ¼ cup diced red onion
  • 1 Tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • ¼ cup cashew vegan mayo (or tofu-based nut-free low-fat vegan mayo)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
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Instructions

  • Place the rinsed and drained chickpeas in a mixing bowl and smash them with a wooden spoon to achieve the desired texture.
  • Use clean kitchen scissors to finely chop nori seaweed. Chop the celery and onion.
  • Add chopped nori seaweed and all other ingredients to the bowl with the smashed chickpeas.
  • Stir well to combine. Salt and pepper to taste, and enjoy immediately.

Notes

  1. If you're making dried beans from scratch, you want 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas.
  2. This vegan tuna salad goes beautifully on a bed of mixed salad greens or in a wrap. For inspiration on how to enjoy it, including the collard green leaf wrap, check out the chickpea chicken salad recipe.
  3. Leftovers keep well in a covered container for up to four days.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 648mg | Potassium: 343mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Share a photo and tag us @danielsplaterecipes — we can't wait to see what you've made!
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Gigi & Sersie

Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue have over 25 years of combined experience in plant-based nutrition and health coaching. Their passion for healthy eating inspired them to create Daniel’s Plate, a recipe site focused on whole food, plant-based meals.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gigi & Sersie

    May 03, 2025 at 8:54 pm

    5 stars
    Tastes yummy and easy to make. Great with crackers and on a bed of salad greens.

    Reply
  2. Veronica Jensen

    July 09, 2024 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious! Great for on the go, with veggie sticks or corn tortillas.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes

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