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    Home » Mains

    10 Minute Vegan Tuna Salad

    Updated: Jan 20, 2023 by Vera Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links · 56 Comments

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    vegan tuna salad on open faced sandwich

    Vegan Tuna Salad! My vegetarian alternative to real tuna, tastes like classic version but fish free! DELICIOUS 10 minute recipe! Perfect in a sandwich, wrap, with crackers, on lettuce or grilled as a tuna melt! Easy Healthy lunch! Gluten free.

    vegan tuna salad on open faced sandwich

    WOW wait until you taste this easy vegan tuna recipe!

    If you’re a lover of a good tuna fish sandwich like I was, then this recipe is for you! -My vegan tuna salad!  That’s right- a Mock version with no tuna and it tastes incredibly similar! Made with chickpeas and hearts of palm, vegan mayo, which creates a flaked texture similar to tuna! Ready in no time! No tofu or jackfruit.

    So no need for a can of tuna or a stop at subway! Make my plant based version at home and keep those fishies swimming - and FYI vegan store bought canned tuna is not pleasant in my opinion

    My family was shocked at how good this tuna salad sandwich was! It will totally satisfy that fish craving  -Make it you'll be glad you did! As far as vegan recipes go this ones up there!! Says everyone who’s tried it😊

    Adapted from my vegan chickpea salad sandwiches with sunflower seeds! - Equally tasty!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients:
    • How to make vegan tuna salad:
    • FAQ:
    • Tips:
    • You'll love this mock tuna, it's..
    • More sandwich recipes..
    • Vegan Tuna Salad
    vegan tuna sandwich being picked up

    Ingredients:

    • chickpeas
    • hearts of palm
    • vegan mayonnaise: (I used vegenaise)
    • veggies: celery, red onion, dill pickle
    • seaweed snack sheets
    • capers
    • seasonings: garlic powder, tamari, salt and pepper
    • pickle juice and caper brine or sub lemon juice
    • bread, wraps, lettuce etc,.. for serving
    vegan tuna ingredients in a bowl

    How to make vegan tuna salad:

    1. To the food processor add chickpeas and hearts of palm. Pulse until mixed but not mushy, leave a little texture. Scrape down sides as needed
    2. With a spatula add mixture into mixing bowl, crumble in the seaweed sheets and add rest of ingredients. Mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Chill in the fridge or serve right away.
    3. Enjoy! Lovely in a sandwich, wrap, with crackers or on a bed of lettuce. I love it with a side of potato chips! For full recipe ingredients and instructions see recipe card below
    step by step photos how to make vegan tuna salad
    open faced vegan tuna sandwich

    FAQ:

    Is vegan tuna good for you?

    • Yes it is healthy as it is usually prepared from chickpeas and sometimes hearts of palm which are both good for you. And of course contains no actual tuna fish.

    What does it taste like?

    • Vegan tuna salad actually has a similar taste to tuna because of the seaweed ingredient, capers, mayo, and pickle juice or lemon. The texture is great too.

    What are hearts of palm?

    • Hearts of palm is a vegetable taken from the inner core of palm trees. They are cut into cylinders and packed in either water or brine. Have a taste similar to artichokes but milder. You can usually find them in the canned vegetable aisle. They contain many healthy nutrients and are high in protein and fibre. I often buy mine at Walmart and find them affordable.

    Tips:

    • this tuna mix is even better the next day if you can believe it
    • feel free to add in extras like chopped red bell peppers or your favourite sandwich add ins like lettuce, tomato, avocado etc,..

    You'll love this mock tuna, it's..

    • vegan
    • made with healthy ingredients
    • easy to make
    • super tasty
    • kid approved
    • great anytime
    • perfect lunch idea
    • versatile

    Enjoy everyone! Happy Day! Please feel free to comment below and give this recipe a rating. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

    More sandwich recipes..

    • Vegan Sloppy Joes (Meatless Manwich) 
    • Best Vegan 'Chicken' Salad
    • Tofu Bacon Recipe (great for for BLT)
    • Vegan Egg Salad Sandwich
    • Chickpea Salad Sandwich
    Print
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    vegan tuna salad on open faced sandwich

    Vegan Tuna Salad


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 22 reviews

    • Author: Verna
    • Total Time: 10 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 Servings 1x
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Vegan Tuna Salad! My vegetarian alternative to real tuna, tastes like classic version but fish free! DELICIOUS 10 minute recipe! Perfect in a sandwich, wrap, with crackers, on lettuce or grilled as a tuna melt! Easy Healthy lunch! Gluten free.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1  (398 ml/14 oz) can hearts of palm, drained 
    • 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained 
    • ¼ cup dill pickle, diced
    • 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
    • 1 small celery rib, diced
    • 1 tablespoon small capers, measure then finely chop
    • 2 seaweed snack sheets 
    • ⅓ cup vegan mayonnaise (I use Vegenaise)
    • 2 teaspoons tamari
    • 2 teaspoons caper brine
    • 1 teaspoon dill pickle juice or sub lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic (powder)
    • salt and pepper to taste 


    Instructions

    1. To the food processor add chickpeas and hearts of palm. Pulse until mixed but not mushy, leave a little texture. Scrape down sides as needed
    2. With a spatula add mixture into mixing bowl, crumble in the seaweed sheets and add rest of ingredients. Mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Chill in the fridge or serve right away.
    3. Enjoy! Lovely in a sandwich, wrap, with crackers or on a bed of lettuce. I love it with a side of potato chips! Step by step photos, FAQ, Tips in above post

    Notes

    • To store: will keep covered in fridge for 3-4 days
    • I quite enjoy this 'tuna mix' in a sandwich with toasted buttered bread and lettuce,  sometimes I add avocado and tomato! 
    • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
    • Category: Mains, Salads, Gluten free, 30 Minute Vegan Recipes
    • Method: food processor / bowl
    • Cuisine: American, Canadian

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cheeky_chickpea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #cheeky_chickpea_

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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Ned says

      March 09, 2022 at 8:15 pm

      Smash hit with the family

      Reply
      • Verna says

        March 10, 2022 at 8:44 am

        Yay!! So happy to hear this. Thank you

        Reply
    2. Lily says

      March 09, 2022 at 8:13 pm

      Our whole family enjoyed this recipe. I thought the texture and "tuna" flavor were spot on!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        March 10, 2022 at 8:45 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Michelle Song says

      March 08, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      This is by FAR the most tasty recipe for vegan tuna salad I have ever made!! I was literally craving it again the next day! Thank you for creating such a flavorful, delicious and easy recipe! This recipe is already on repeat!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        March 09, 2022 at 6:28 am

        Thank you so much for the amazing feedback Michelle! I am so thrilled you're enjoying the recipe. You just made my day!!

        Reply
    4. Cindy says

      January 06, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      My food processer recently died. I noticed my blender has a pulse button, would that do the same thing?

      Reply
      • Verna says

        January 07, 2022 at 8:56 am

        I have not tried so I cannot say. Would love your feedback if you give it a go though 🙂

        Reply
    5. Sandy says

      December 04, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      So good! Left out the seaweed so wouldn't taste fishy:). Delicious both taste and texture. Fast and easy to make.

      Reply
      • Verna says

        December 06, 2021 at 6:26 am

        So happy you enjoyed it Sandy and thanks so much for your feedback!

        Reply
    6. Sunny says

      October 29, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      So absolutely delicious even though I didn't have hearts of palm. Next time, maybe I'll be lucky finding them at Walmart.
      Two things: I know your recipes are always well-tested and reliably scrumptious. I appreciate the effort, time and thought you put into your recipes. Thank you, Verna.

      Reply
      • Verna says

        October 29, 2021 at 4:14 pm

        Thank you so much for your kind words Sunny. So glad you enjoyed it. Yes check Walmart that is where I buy mine

        Reply
    7. Teresa says

      October 10, 2021 at 9:27 am

      I added some sweet pickle relish to the vegan tuna recipe as it is how I made it with real tuna and a wee bit of mustard. Truly fabulous chickpea sandwich! Hearts of palm adds a brilliant texture and flavour. My husband said he enjoyed it as much as his regular tuna sandwich. Thank you very much from a beginner vegan

      Reply
      • Verna says

        October 10, 2021 at 11:35 am

        Thank you so much, the add ins sound awesome!

        Reply
    8. Jenn says

      October 10, 2021 at 9:17 am

      Made your mock tuna sandwich yesterday, it was absolutely delicious! Even my non vegan husband loved it. My new go to salad mix for lunch sandwiches, trying your ‘chicken’ next.

      Reply
      • Verna says

        October 10, 2021 at 11:36 am

        Thrilled you enjoyed it, thank you!

        Reply
    9. Margo says

      October 10, 2021 at 8:01 am

      This reminded me so much of real tuna I was so impressed so were my husband and kids. Thank you so much. Definitely the best vegan tuna recipe I've tried and now my go to!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        October 10, 2021 at 11:36 am

        Wonderful Yay! really appreciate the feedback thanks!

        Reply
    10. Diana says

      July 06, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      In all my years I never thought I’d be making a garbanzo bean tuna salad! But it works and I love it so thank you!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        July 06, 2021 at 8:12 pm

        Awesome thanks glad you liked it!

        Reply
    11. Todd says

      July 06, 2021 at 4:38 pm

      Would it be possible to make this a ‘jackfruit tuna salad’ ? I’m not familiar with hearts of palm 

      Reply
      • Verna says

        July 06, 2021 at 8:12 pm

        Can't say as I haven't made it with jack fruit

        Reply
    12. Fiona t says

      July 06, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      This is the first fake tuna salad I have made and I am totally impressed. Really delicious my wife and kids loved this recipe!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        July 06, 2021 at 8:13 pm

        oh thanks so much!

        Reply
    13. shannon says

      June 20, 2021 at 10:46 am

      It is so delicious. Reminds me more of seafood salad than tuna. I definitely recommend.

      Reply
      • Verna says

        June 20, 2021 at 11:16 am

        Thank you so much Shannon!! Thrilled you enjoyed it

        Reply
    14. Patrice says

      May 04, 2021 at 12:58 pm

      Amazing! Taste and texture just like tuna and my carnivorous hubby even prefers it to canned tuna!! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        May 04, 2021 at 2:33 pm

        What a nice compliment thank you so much! Thrilled you enjoyed it Patrice

        Reply
    15. Jill says

      April 16, 2021 at 3:22 pm

      Can't wait to try this!

      Reply
      • Verna says

        April 16, 2021 at 5:08 pm

        enjoy!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »
    Vera Morgan profile pic - Vegan recipes

    Hi, I’m Vera! Major foodie of all things vegan! Welcome to The Cheeky Chickpea; here, you’ll find hundreds of restaurant-worthy easy vegan recipes. Some oil-free and gluten-free, from veggie-powered plant-based comfort foods to decadent desserts. Lots of tricks and tips up my chef sleeve…Grab your apron let’s get cooking!

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