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Looking for a healthy & hearty sandwich recipe? This Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich is satisfying, nutritious and delicious! It takes just 20 minutes to prepare and it’s perfect for make-ahead lunches.
My mom always packed my lunch growing up and I really loved it. There were a few times that she packed me a tuna sandwich and although it was delicious, it made quite an offensive odor at lunchtime, and the other kids let me know it. That wasn’t fun, so we reserved them for home enjoyment after that.
I haven’t eaten tuna in many years though, and even before going vegan, I stopped when I learned of the high mercury levels in fish. However, I still missed that classic creamy and tangy sandwich. So, after going vegan, I made my own mock version of it to enjoy.
This Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich is just as creamy, tangy and delicious! It’s not missing a thing, except mercury and that fishy smell.
I’ve been packing this is my son’s lunch and he comes home with an empty lunchbox every time. He loves it! It’s protein-packed and nutritious, so I feel good about sending him to school with it.
DOES CHICKPEA TUNA SALAD TASTE FISHY?
The mixture doesn’t taste fishy at all on its own, but I prefer a subtle ocean-like flavor, so I add a small amount of seaweed such as Kelp, Dulse or Nori. Don’t worry though, your sandwich won’t stink as tuna does, so it’s a great sandwich to take to work or school.
However, if you’re not into ocean flavor, you can omit the seaweed and add a sprinkle of Old Bay Seasoning. It’s delicious!
DOES IT HAVE THE SAME TEXTURE AS TUNA FISH?
It doesn’t have the same texture as tuna, but it’s pretty close. I shredded a combination of hearts of palm and chickpeas to replicate the flaky fish texture and it worked nicely. Plus, the chickpeas add a nice dose of protein that tuna does. This truly is the best replacement!
ADD-IN IDEAS:
This recipe is on the kid-friendly side, so feel free to amp it up to your liking. Here are some ideas:
- Red onion or green onion
- Bell pepper
- Olives, pickles or pepperoncini
- Fresh dill or parsley
- Cumin, cayenne pepper or smoked paprika
- Sunflower seeds
HOW DO I SERVE CHICKPEA TUNA SALAD?
- As a salad topper
- In a sandwich
- With crackers or veggie sticks
WANT MORE VEGAN SEAFOOD RECIPES? CHECK THESE OUT:
I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you make this Chickpea Tuna Salad Sandwich, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
Vegan Tuna Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 can garbanzo beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 can hearts of palm , drained and rinsed
- 2 stalks celery , diced
- 1/3 cup vegan mayo (more if needed)
- 2 teaspoons dulce flakes or granules or kelp granules/flakes (*See Note)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dill
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
- Fresh ground pepper , to taste
- 6-8 slices of bread (gluten-free if preferred)
- 3-4 lettuce leaves , washed and cut into sandwich size
Instructions
- In a food processor add the garbanzo beans and hearts of palm together. Pulse just a few times to shred it up. Don't pulse too many times or it will turn to mush. It should have a tuna-like consistency. You can also do this by manually, just use a fork or your hands to shred everything up.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine mayo, dulce or kelp, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Add garbanzo bean/hearts of palm mixture, celery and combine well. Taste for seasoning and add more if preferred.
- Line a slice of bread with lettuce and spread "tuna" mixture on the other slice. Close the sandwich together and cut diagonal. Use a toothpick to secure each half and add pickles, if preferred. Repeat with the additional sandwiches. Serve with some chips and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Carole
Yummy. I actually sliced my hearts of palm and smashed my chick peas with a potato smasher. Added a little sweet relish and old bay. Perfection.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Carole, I’m so glad you liked it! Thank you for making it and sharing your feedback. 🙂
LJ
Wow-this recipe is pretty great! The texture is nice, and the flavor of the dulse flakes adds a nice subtle ocean note. It was a little bland for me with the basic recipe, so I added cayenne, lemon juice, and a squeeze of dijon mustard and it’s fantastic. I ate it on a sandwich with lettuce and tomato, and I’m looking forward to leftovers. How long does this keep in the fridge?
Delores
This recipe was easy and delicious! I made some vegan mayo and homemade old bay chips to compliment this wonderful sandwich. I have tried so many of your recipes and thankfully always satisfied!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Delores, this makes me happy! Thank you for giving my recipes a try and sharing feedback 🙂
mark
so glad to have found this recipe awhile back. i make it fairly often and it rules!!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Mark, I’m so happy that you like it! Thank you so much! 🙂
Joan
Hi there,
Thank you so much for this recipe.
I can’t wait to try it.
Since I don’t happen to have hearts of palm on hand,I will be using canned jackfruit.
It’s also similar in texture to tuna,so I’m pretty sure it will work with the beans.
Looking forward to making a batch of this treat.
Thank you again.
Joan
Melissa Huggins
Hi Joan, you’re most welcome! I love jackfruit and I’m sure it will work great in this recipe. Thank you for stopping by 🙂
Andy
This is amazing! I’m a notorious carnivore, but something about this recipe piqued my interest. I tried it over the weekend, and it’s truly fantastic!
Tuna melts are a staple of mine, and I’m 100% honest when I say I might never go back to real tuna now. This is just as tasty, healthier, and cheaper!
Mika
Since it’s really hot here in TX this summer, last weekend I was looking for things to make so I wouldn’t have to turn on the oven. This was a great recipe and really yummy. I’ll be adding to my regular recipe rotation. Also can’t wait to try the “crab” cakes! You’re right, hearts of palm really does have that texture. Mostly I just want to say thanks. I’m newly vegan (a process that took about a year to convert) and having these recipes makes my life so much easier and interesting in the food department!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Mika, I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you for making it! It’s really hot here in AZ, too. I stay away from the stove as much as possible. Congratulations on your transition! It’s definitely a process but such a rewarding one. Have a lovely week and thanks for stopping by 🙂
tricia
can you tell me which ingredient pushed the sodium up so high? i have high blood pressure, so i will leave it out. thanks
Melissa Huggins
Hi Tricia, It looks like the nutrition counter was off. I reentered it and the sodium is now 295 Mg per sandwich. I also checked it on MyFitnessPal to make sure too. Thanks for alerting me. I hope you’ll give it a try 🙂
Shirley
This is awesome, thanks
Melissa Huggins
You’re most welcome. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Marissa
This looks so good! I will be trying it for sure. I just hope when I go to the store, they still have the Hearts of Palm. It seems when I don’t need something, it’s there and when I do need it, it’s sold out. Lol. I’ve been craving tuna since I switched over, so I can’t wait to try it.
Melissa Huggins
Thank you, Marissa! It’s one of my favorite sandwiches. I used to love tuna too. I hope you find the hearts of palm soon. That happens to me all the time. lol:)
Mookie
I looked critically at a bunch of recipes in an effort to get close to a sandwich I ate in LA last month that ruled. This looks like exactly what i’m searching for and will make in a couple days (and probably take to school for lunch on the regular!). Thx!
Melissa Huggins
Hi there, thank you for stopping by. I hope you give it a try, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have a great week!
Sandy
This is absolutely the best vegan tuna salad ever! I didn’t have dulce flakes so I used Old Bay. It’s a keeper! Thank you!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sandy, thank you so much for making it! I’m happy you liked it! Glad you had Old Bay…it’s a life saver 🙂
Stacey
Oh good gravy…i made the tuna sandwhich today and it’s off the charts fantastic. All my non vegan family loved it too!!! I’ve tried other recipes for it and was always disappointed. No disappointment with this recipe…i will continue to make it and share recipe with others. Thank you thank you thank you
Melissa Huggins
Hi Stacey, This is wonderful to hear! I’m so happy you like it…especially your omni friends! It’s my son’s favorite lunch to take to school, so I make it a lot. Thank you for sharing your feedback. 🙂
Heather
I recommend Creamy Original Chao Slices but they’re admittedly on the mild side for this sandwich. Thanks for writing. I’ll be back to try out other recipes.
Heather
OK. Made it on a melt – on rye bread with Fieldroast slices, red onion and banana peppers. Very very good. Thanks for helping a newbie vegan!
Melissa Huggins
Wow, that sounds so good! I must go buy some Fieldroast slices this weekend. I didn’t realize they made cheese. I can’t wait! Thank you for your feedback 🙂
Heather
Thanks so much, Melissa, I’ll update you after I try it 🙂
Heather
Hi, Melissa, Can I use it on a mock tuna melt? On rye with a vegan cheese. I will be skipping the nori or kelp. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Heather, Yes, you can totally make it into a mock tuna melt. I’ve made it before and it’s delicious! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
Shayna Medinger
Genius! I’ve done a chickpea “tuna” salad, and I’ve done a hearts of palm “crab” salad…but never thought to use the hearts of palm for this!! It’s perfect! I chopped the hearts of palm up into a more “flaky” instead of shredded texture, but either way it’d be delicious. Thank you!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Shayna, Thank you so much! I’m so happy it worked out for you. Hearts of palm are quite amazing. I appreciate your feedback 🙂