Cheap Vegetarian Tuna Salad

Transform your lunch game with this flavorful and budget-friendly Cheap Vegetarian Tuna Salad! Made with pantry staples like canned chickpeas and a touch of vegan mayonnaise, this recipe effortlessly mimics the texture and taste of traditional tuna salad without any seafood. The clever use of crumbled nori sheets adds a subtle ocean-like flavor, while ingredients like dill pickles, celery, and red onion provide vibrant crunch and tang. Ready in just 10 minutes and entirely plant-based, this protein-packed dish is perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or as a topping for crackers and salads. Quick, affordable, and delicious, it’s a must-try for meatless meal prep enthusiasts!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:10 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 15 oz Canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
• 3 tbsp Vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp Dill pickle (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Celery (finely chopped)
• 2 tbsp Red onion (finely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice
• 1 tsp Capers (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 Nori sheet (crumbled or cut into small strips)
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas, then transfer them to a medium-sized bowl.

Step 2

Use a fork or potato masher to smash the chickpeas until they are broken down but still slightly chunky. You want a texture that mimics tuna flakes.

Step 3

Add vegan mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, dill pickle, celery, red onion, lemon juice, and capers (if using) to the bowl with the mashed chickpeas.

Step 4

Crumble or cut the nori sheet into small pieces and add it to the bowl. This provides the seafood-like flavor reminiscent of tuna.

Step 5

Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, adjusting seasoning to taste.

Step 6

Mix everything together until well-combined. Taste and adjust lemon juice, salt, or pepper if needed.

Step 7

Serve immediately as a sandwich filling, on crackers, or over a bed of greens. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(559.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	682.0

Total Fat 19.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.5g
Cholesterol 10.2mg	0%
Sodium 2734.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 103.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.5g	0%
Total Sugars 20.0g
Protein 29.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 235.7mg	0%
Iron 6.9mg	0%
Potassium 1394.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.6%

Protein: 16.8%

Carbs: 58.6%