Vegetarian Tuna Salad

Satisfy your craving for a classic tuna salad without the seafood with this flavorful, protein-packed Vegetarian Tuna Salad! Made with hearty mashed chickpeas as a base, this quick and easy 15-minute recipe is loaded with crisp celery, tangy dill pickles, briny capers, and the subtle ocean-like taste of crushed nori flakes for an authentic twist. Creamy vegan mayonnaise and a hint of Dijon mustard bring it all together, while a splash of lemon juice adds a refreshing zing. Perfect as a sandwich filling, a wrap ingredient, or a savory topping for crackers, this versatile dish is ideal for plant-based lunches or snacks. Best of all, it’s completely customizable and tastes even better after chilling, making it your go-to make-ahead vegetarian recipe!

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce can (drained and rinsed) canned chickpeas
• 4 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
• 1 large (diced) dill pickle
• 1 medium (finely chopped) celery stalk
• 0.25 small (finely diced) red onion
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon (drained) capers
• 1 small sheet (crushed into flakes) dried nori sheets
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.25 teaspoon (or to taste) black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas thoroughly and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.

Step 2

Using a fork or potato masher, roughly mash the chickpeas. Leave some larger chunks for texture.

Step 3

Add the vegan mayonnaise, diced dill pickle, chopped celery, diced red onion, lemon juice, drained capers, crushed nori flakes, and Dijon mustard to the bowl with the mashed chickpeas.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well until evenly combined.

Step 5

Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice based on personal preference.

Step 6

Serve immediately as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or as a topping for crackers. Alternatively, refrigerate for 1–2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together for an even better taste.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(719.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	570.8

Total Fat 18.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.0g
Cholesterol 13.5mg	0%
Sodium 4048.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 82.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.6g	0%
Total Sugars 18.1g
Protein 21.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 246.3mg	0%
Iron 6.5mg	0%
Potassium 1058.0mg	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: 29.1%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 56.5%