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Home » Recipes » Main Course

5-minute Vegan Tuna Salad Recipe

Gluten FreeGrain FreeNo OilVegan

Published: Oct 23, 2020 · Modified: Jul 2, 2024 by Debra Klein · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

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5-minute Vegan Tuna Salad Recipe. Delicious plant based filling for sandwiches or wraps and perfect to scoop onto a salad. This Chickpea Tuna Recipe uses just 4 ingredients and is totally meal-prep friendly. A healthy vegan lunch has never tasted so good or been so easy.

Open sandwich. One side has lettuce and tomato, the other has vegan tuna. Pickles on the side.

This post was updated from the original posted April 29, 2015.

Upgrade your bagged (or work from home) lunch with this easy, healthy and delicious Vegan Tuna Salad Recipe! You’ll love this simple mock vegan ‘tuna salad’ to make a hearty sandwich, to scoop onto a salad or to use with crackers or veggies.

Mock Tuna Salad is the perfect plant-based protein that takes just 5 minutes to make. If you have enough time to open a can of tuna and turn it into salad, you have enough time to make this instead.

Personally, my favorite way to enjoy this vegan chickpea tuna is in a lettuce cup with plenty of pickles on the side! I’d love to hear how you like yours best.

How to make Vegan Tuna in 3 EASY steps

3 photos, with large purple numbers in each corner. #1: colander of chickpeas small bowl of diced celery, small bowl of minced shallot and a small bowl of vegan mayo. #2: mashed chickpeas plus celery, shallots and mayo with a fork.  #3: vegan tuna salad.
  1. PREP YOUR INGREDIENTS: Rinse and drain a can of chickpeas. Cut celery stalks into small dice. Mince one small shallot. Measure your mayo…or make your own (recipe included below).
  2. MASH CHICKPEAS: Use a potato masher or fork to mash chickpeas into a paste. It’s OK for some pieces of chickpeas to remain. Kinda like authentic tuna…you may have some that mushes up and some that remains chunky.
  3. Mix everything together until desired consistency. Add more mayo, if needed. Or add some diced pickles or relish…if that’s the flavor profile you’re used to in tuna fish.

Vegan Mayonnaise

Vegan mayo is EASY to make and uses just a few simple ingredients. It will stay good in your fridge for 2 weeks and I’ve included the vegan mayo recipe below. You will need cashews, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and garlic. That’s it. No oil, no eggs, no salt, no preservatives.

There are also many healthy brands on the market. If you buy already made vegan mayonnaise, be sure to read the list of ingredients carefully to make the best selection.

Vegan Chickpea Tuna is perfect for Healthy Meal Prep

This is an awesome recipe to include in your weekly meal prep. It is quick and easy to make, and it will stay good in your fridge for a week.

With a batch of this in your fridge you’ll be able to put something together in no time. This mock vegan tuna is the perfect vegan protein addition to greens, grains, wraps…you name it!

Bowl of vegan chickpea tuna, surrounded by colorful veggies and chips.

How to serve Vegan Tuna:

Large romaine leaves with scoops of vegan tuna, tomato slices and pickles.

Vegan tuna salad is so tasty and versatile. You can add in all the same things you would add to regular tuna. Fresh dill or parsley, chopped pickles or pickle relish, fresh or pickled jalapenos, whole grain mustard or garlic powder all are great choices.

  • Make your favorite green salad and put a scoop or two of this faux tuna on top.
  • No time to make salad? No worries, just scoop onto a lettuce leaf, slice a tomato and don’t forget the pickles on the side!
  • Chickpea Tuna Sandwich holds up well in a bagged lunch….plus it doesn’t smell like fish!
Side view of a vegan tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes on toast.
The ultimate veggie sandwich filling.

Do you enjoy sandwiches or wraps, but haven’t figure out many vegan options to include inside? Tired of the same old veggies and hummus for plant-based fillings? Vegan Mock Tuna Salad to the rescue! Use your favorite bread or wrap…or I’ll show you how to use a collard green for some added nutrition to go with your garbanzo bean tuna salad.

More Plant Based Sandwich Fillings

  • faux chicken salad.
  • black bean veggie burger
  • baked falafel
  • Quinoa Veggie Burger
  • Crispy Baked Tofu
  • Vegan Meatballs. Oh…if you’re craving a meatball sub, this is for YOU!

How to make a vegan tuna wrap

  1. Collard greens make awesome wrappers for vegan tuna sandwiches. They’re naturally vegan and gluten-free and loaded with all the good leafy green stuff like Vitamins A, C, D, K and calcium, iron and magnesium…plus all the fiber and antioxidants. To make a leaf of collard green pliable without blanching (really, who wants to do all that work?), simply trim down the woody stem as shown below.
Large collard green leaf on a cutting board with chef's knife.

2. Place filling ingredients in a line along the bottom ⅓ of collard. Here I’ve scooped mock tuna, some julienned slices of red peppers and avocado slices.

Collard green leaf, with scoops of vegan tuna, slices of avocado and red pepper strips.

3. Time to wrap. Fold the bottom up, the sides in and then roll.

Collard green stuffed and rolled into a small burrito.

Why make mock tuna salad?

It’s really simple. Feed yourself whole, real food if you want to feel your best. Canned tuna fish has high levels of mercury. that is toxic. When there’s a tasty option that’s just as easy…and loaded with solid nutrition instead, the best choice is obvious.

I modified and streamlined this chickpea tuna recipe so you can whip up a batch in 5 minutes. It’s important to have quick and easy…but also nourishing choices available with ingredients you have on hand…AND something that TASTES GREAT! Healthy and simple food…is good food too!

Open sandwich, one half with vegan tuna, the other with lettuce and tomato.

More Healthy Meal Prep Ideas:

  • Raw Cauliflower Salad: will stay good in fridge all week and doesn’t lose its flavor or texture.
  • Healthy Apple Muffins: So easy to make and you can enjoy a healthy muffin any time of day!
  • Mexican Pinto Beans: A batch of these means tacos, tostadas, burritos, enchiladas, rice and beans, juevos rancheros (even if you make them with tofu scramble) are just one step away.
  • Vegan Stuffed Cabbage: These freeze and reheat beautifully…perfect to make on a day when you DO have time, for a day you do not.
  • Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing: This deliciousness takes just 5 minutes to make and you’ll eat more salad when you have a batch at your fingertips. It elevates some chopped up romaine, or whatever you have on hand instantly. OR…use it for dipping veggies…so delish, you’ll want to drizzle it on EVERYTHING.
  • Quinoa Breakfast Bake: A wholesome and simple breakfast at your fingertips makes even hectic mornings run more smoothly.

Did you know commenting and rating recipes is one of the best ways to support your favorite food bloggers? If you made this recipe, please consider a five star rating below and leave a comment. Also, please share your photos on instagram by tagging me @dkhealthcoach and using the hashtag #debraklein

📖 Recipe

Side view of a vegan tuna sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes on toast.

Vegan Tuna Salad

Author: Debra Klein
This quick and easy recipe for Vegan Tuna Salad is perfect for a plant-based sandwich filling, vegan wrap or a plant based salad topping. This vegan tuna recipe is perfect for meal prep and ready in just 5-minutes.
5 from 11 votes
Rate this Recipe
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Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 158 kcal

Equipment

  • Potato Masher

Ingredients
  

  • 1 15-oz. can chickpeas rinsed and drained
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 2 small stalks celery small dice
  • 3 tblsp vegan mayonnaise

Instructions
 

  • In a medium sized bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or use a potato masher. It's ok if there are a few chunks of chickpeas mixed into the pasty mixture.
  • Mix in minced shallot, celery and mayo.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Notes

OPTIONAL: mix in all the same stuff you might add into tuna salad like fresh dill, chopped pickles or pickle relish, lemon juice, whole grain mustard or fresh parsley. 
Serving ideas:
Sandwich: Toast the bread, add slices of avocado + lettuce and tomato. Serve with pickles!
Wrap: Use a collard green, spread with hummus or guacamole, add a big scoop of vegan tuna salad and some julienne veggies. Wrap and roll.
Salad: Make your favorite green salad and add a big scoop of vegan tuna on top.

IF YOU DON’T WANT TO USE PROCESSED MAYONNAISE, MAKE THIS EASY VERSION:

Vegan Mayonnaise (makes approximately 1 ¾ cup)

  • 1 ½ cups raw cashews
  • 1 clove garlic, grated or pressed
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons water
1. Pour boiling water over raw cashews and let them soak for 15 minutes. Drain and discard the water.
2. Add cashews, garlic, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and water to food processor or high speed blender. Blend on high, scraping down sides several times to be sure all cashew pieces are incorporated and mayonnaise is smooth and creamy.
3. Add in additional water, 1 Tablespoon at a time until mayo is desired consistency. It will thicken a bit as it cools, so make it slightly thinner than desired. Store in glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 158kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 161mgPotassium: 146mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 21mgIron: 0.2mg
Note

The nutrition calculations were done using online tools. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used. You are ultimately responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information is accurate, complete and useful.

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag me @dkhealthcoach or use hashtag #dkhealtcoach on Instagram so I can see it!!

Categories

Gluten FreeGrain FreeMain CourseNo OilVeganBeans

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 11 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Amy

    October 26, 2020 at 11:02 pm

    5 stars
    What a simple and healthy salad this is. Chickpeas just makes everything taste good!

    Reply
  2. Audrey

    October 27, 2020 at 11:51 am

    5 stars
    A great recipe for lunch!

    Reply
  3. Marina

    October 27, 2020 at 3:04 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe and thank you for sharing all the different ways to use the tuna salad

    Reply
  4. Chef Dennis

    October 28, 2020 at 4:15 am

    This Vegan Tuna Salad is totally delicious! My wife will love this!

    Reply
    • Debra Klein

      October 28, 2020 at 9:57 pm

      I agree…and aren’t you so sweet to make that for her!

      Reply
  5. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

    October 28, 2020 at 4:29 am

    Mmm… I think I just heard my tummy growl. lol. Thank you for making me hungry!

    Reply
    • Debra Klein

      October 28, 2020 at 9:58 pm

      This recipe will definitely do that for you!

      Reply
  6. Susie

    April 26, 2021 at 1:51 am

    Can you suggest an alternative to cashews (or pistachios) – allergic. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Debra Klein

      April 26, 2021 at 7:15 am

      You could make some vegan mayo with tofu instead of nuts. Silken tofu (1 package) plus 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, a squirt of dijon, salt to taste. Otherwise follow the recipe as written.

      Reply
  7. Nora

    May 30, 2022 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    What a wonderful salad! It turned out perfectly!

    Reply
  8. Sue

    May 30, 2022 at 12:21 pm

    5 stars
    I love this healthier version of tuna salad. It’s a perfect light lunch!

    Reply
  9. Jerika

    May 30, 2022 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    Can’t wait to try this 5-minute Vegan Tuna Salad Recipe.:) Look so good. Yum!

    Reply
  10. Swathi

    May 30, 2022 at 11:55 am

    Love this Tuna Salad so perfect as side for grilling.

    Reply
    • Debra Klein

      May 31, 2022 at 9:33 am

      Yes….we’ll be eating it all summer long!

      Reply
  11. Emily Flint

    May 30, 2022 at 4:15 pm

    5 stars
    This mock tuna salad was delicious!

    Reply
  12. Pam

    May 30, 2022 at 6:22 pm

    5 stars
    My vegan daughter loves this!

    Reply
  13. Sara

    June 01, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    Such an easy lunch to whip up!

    Reply
  14. Jessica

    June 01, 2022 at 11:21 pm

    5 stars
    I dare say this is even better than tuna salad prepared with tuna.

    Reply
  15. DarcieD

    March 18, 2025 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe!!! I make a similar salad with chickpeas, 1/3 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds (chopped in food processor with chickpeas), onion, carrots and celery, and some seaweed flakes – or that mix with seaweed and seeds – , and mayo (or a tofu-based salad dressing for more protein), and the serving size is about 1/3 cup for each of 6 servings.

    It looks like the site’s nutrition software used is broken. One 15 oz can of chickpeas has about 500 calories, and 21 grams protein. The nutrition software claimed that there are just two servings, and that 1/2 of the entire can with the mayo and veggies, would be 158 calories and just one gram of protein. It would have to be at least 250 calories and 10 grams of protein if someone ate 1/2 of the recipe. .

    Regardless of the nutrition-table software, your recipe is one everyone who likes any kind of mayo salad will love!

    I know your recipe is going to be good!

    Reply
    • Debra Klein

      March 18, 2025 at 11:40 pm

      Thanks for the comment…I don’t know why, but the nutrition information in the data base for a can of chickpeas is completely incorrect. I sent them a note. There’s a suggestion in this recipe card to make a cashew mayo, or you could use my tofu mayonnaise recipe.

      Reply

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Photo of Debra Klein in the kitchen, smiling, tossing a salad.

Hi, I’m Debra, Holistic Health Coach and Culinary Instructor inspiring healthy choices with seasonal plant-based recipes. I'm also passionate about transforming Traditional Jewish Foods into dishes that are nutritious, delicious, beautiful and satisfying. Let's get into the kitchen and have some fun.

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