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    Home » Salad

    Best Vegan Chickpea Tuna Salad Recipe ( Wfpb No Tuna Salad)

    Published: Oct 1, 2020 · Modified: Feb 16, 2021 by Jasmin Hackmann · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads

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    This vegan tuna salad, prepared with chickpeas and jackfruit, tastes incredibly delicious and thanks to the jackfruit, it has the perfect, fibrous structure we know from tuna salads. The chickpea tuna gets its unbelievable sea and fish taste from wakame flakes and kelp powder.

    This gives your vegetarian tuna salad a great, hearty seafood taste. Prepare this no tuna salad as a vegan tuna salad sandwich or as a topping for your next salad bowl.

    You simply prepare this vegan tuna fish recipe and it has a great taste so you won't miss the traditional .

    straight view on a vegan tuna sandwich toast topped with tomatoes and onions

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links. Read More

    I have to say, this delicious garbanzo bean salad is one of my favorite recipes for making a vegan sandwich.

    Before I switched my diet to vegan, I loved the tuna sandwich at Subway. So I had to try a vegan version. I always found the taste great, and when I changed my diet, it wasn't about the fact that I just didn't like it, I just wanted a healthier diet for my family.

    This is how this vegan tuna salad came about. But I didn't want to miss this fibrous texture either, so I added some jackfruit and it turned out to be perfect.

    Are you now wondering why a mock tuna salad? For one thing, the oceans could be empty by 2048 if we don't change our diet. Which should give you enough incentive to minimize your fish consumption and save fish.

    You don't need fish to conjure up delicious dishes. The chickpea and jackfruit salad lasts even longer.

    Now, of course, I don't want to just throw you a recipe here. I will show you how to make the vegan tuna salad and you will get more tips and tricks, as well as alternative options.

    First of all, let's take a look at the ingredients.

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    Ingredients

    Here is a small overview of which ingredients are actually contained in the vegan tuna salad. You can find the exact quantities below in the recipe card.

    Chickpeas

    Jackfruit in brine

    Aquafaba

    Wakame flakes

    Kelp powder

    Salt 

    Tahini or Nut Butter 

    Soy Sauce or Tamarind 

    Onion Powder 

    Garlic Powder 

    Ingredient shot for the vegan tuna salad sandwich

    Substitutes

    I would also like to show you which ingredients you can replace with other ingredients. I hope this will help you make the perfect vegan tuna salad.

    Jackfruit substitute

    If you don't like or can't find jackfruit, you can prepare the vegan tuna salad with more chickpeas or palm hearts.

    Wakame Flakes and Kelp Powder Substitutes 

    You don't have to add these two types of seaweed, but they give the salad a delicious taste. If you don't want to use these, you can simply leave out the wakame flakes and kelp powder.

    Tahini and nut butter substitutes

    If you don't like the taste of tahini, depending on the variety, it can be a bit bitter. Or even if you don't have any nut butter on hand. 

    Then you can also use the same amount of raw cashews and / or sunflower seeds. Then simply mix these finely with the chickpeas so that there are no more pieces.

    Soy sauce substitute

    If you don't want to use soy sauce. Then you can also use the gluten-free version Tamarind. You can also use the soy-free version of coconut aminos.

    Variations

    Here, too, I would like to show you variations, for example if you are eating gluten-free or nut-free.

    Gluten free

    This tuna salad is super easy to make in gluten free. The only thing that contains gluten in the recipe is the soy sauce, which can be easily replaced with tamarind or coconut aminos.

    Nut free

    This vegan tuna salad is easy to make nut-free; instead of nut butter, you can use tahini or sunflower seeds.

    Keto

    Instead of the chickpeas, you can use a mixture of sunflower seeds and cashews. To do this, puree half of the sunflower seeds until creamy and add chopped sunflower seeds.

    Close up of an open vegan tuna salad sandwich

    Instruction

    You can start the evening before.

    Wash the jackfruit and cut off the hard part.

    Let the fibrous parts sit in hot water and add 3 wakame flakes or other seaweed. We need this to get the typical sea / fish taste. Let it sit for at least 2 hours or overnight.

    The next day, rinse the jackfruit and remove the wakame flakes.

    Now let's take the chickpeas and rinse them. It is important to catch the liquid from the can, the aquafaba. You can use it for this recipe, or as an egg or oil substitute in another recipe.

    Now add half of the chickpeas, tahini or nut butter and aquafaba, freshly squeezed lemon juice in one food processor and mix until creamy.

    If it's not creamy enough, add a little more aquafaba.

    Add kelp powder, which is optional but adds all of the flavor, and add soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix it until the spices are well combined.

    Add the remaining chickpeas and jackfruit and use the pulse function of the food processor.

    We want to keep the texture of the jackfruit.

    Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Prepare in advance

    This vegan tuna salad is great as a meal prep and can be prepared a few days in advance. You can prepare it on Sunday and have it for lunch during the week.

    Serving suggestion

    Serve it on whole grain bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and other vegetables for a great hearty sandwich.

    Salad wraps to have a gluten-free alternative.

    Dip it in with crackers or chips. Vegetables are great too; peppers, celery, zucchini or cucumber, cut and dip with them.

    Serve the vegan tuna salad on salad plates such as a vegan version of the Nice salad.

    Buy tortilla wraps and serve as wraps.

    Use it to prepare a toast.

    Storage

    How to refrigerate it?

    The leftovers can be kept in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Before you use it, stir well once.

    How to freeze it?

    The vegan tuna salad is easy to freeze in a freezer-safe container. 

    Simply freeze the salad in portions. To thaw, take them out of the freezer the evening before and let them thaw in the fridge.

    Bird view of an open vegan tuna sandwich laying on a wooden board. With a knive on the side and one bun half above.

    Tips

    Instead of blending the chickpeas with tahini until creamy, you can also use ready-made hummus and season it.

    Use nori sheets, for example if you are making sushi, you may have some available and you don't have to buy kelp powder or wakame flakes.

    To get omega fatty acids, it is a good idea to add a few hemp seeds. These are full of healthy omega fats.

    The recipe is ideal to make in bigger batches and then freeze.

    If you are looking for a dip for your next party, this vegan tuna salad is ideal.

    More vegan Sandwich Recipes:

    Toast with asparagus and mushrooms

    Egg salad sandwich

    Sloppy Joes

    Pulled Pork (Classic)

    Pulled Pork with Pineapple

    Pin for Later!

    Vegan tuna salad toast on a board with text

    Have you tried the recipe?

    If you tried the vegan Recipe, be so nice ♥ and let me know by rating the recipe and writing what you think about it in the comments.  I would love to see your photo on Instagram or Facebook. To do this tag me with @veeatcookbake and my hashtag is #veeatcookbake. So that I can see your creation. Did you know you can add photos on Pinterest under the recipe Pin? I can’t wait to see a photo of your creation there. You find me with @veeatcookbake.

    Enjoy your Meal, Jasmin
    Continue to Content
    vegan-tuna-salad

    Vegan Tuna Sandwich

    This vegan tuna salad, prepared with chickpeas and jackfruit, tastes incredibly delicious and thanks to the jackfruit, it has the perfect, fibrous structure we know from tuna salads. The chickpea tuna gets its unbelievable sea and fish taste from wakame flakes and kelp powder.

    This gives your vegetarian tuna salad a great, hearty seafood taste. Prepare this no tuna salad as a vegan tuna salad sandwich or as a topping for your next salad bowl.

    You simply prepare this vegan tuna fish recipe and it has a great taste so you won't miss the traditional.

    Ingredients

    • 1 can chickpeas + 3 tablespoon aquafaba
    • 1 can jackfruit in brine (not syrup, very important)
    • 3 wakame flakes
    • ½ teaspoon or more kelp powder
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt (opt)
    • 2 tablespoon tahini or nut butter if you do not like the taste of tahini
    • 2 teaspoon soy sauce
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder and garlic powder
    • possibly season to taste

    Instructions

    You can start the evening before.

    Wash the jackfruit and cut off the hard part.

    Let the fibrous parts sit in hot water and add 3 wakame flakes or other seaweed. We need this to get the typical sea / fish taste. Let it sit for at least 2 hours or overnight.

    The next day, rinse the jackfruit and remove the wakame flakes.

    Now let's take the chickpeas and rinse them. It is important to catch the liquid from the can, the aquafaba. You can use it for this recipe, or as an egg or oil substitute in another recipe.

    Now add half of the chickpeas, tahini or nut butter and aquafaba, freshly squeezed lemon juice in one food processor and mix until creamy.

    If it's not creamy enough, add a little more aquafaba.

    Add kelp powder, which is optional but adds all of the flavor, and add soy sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix it until the spices are well combined.

    Add the remaining chickpeas and jackfruit and use the pulse function of the food processor.

    We want to keep the texture of the jackfruit.

    Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    Notes

    Read More Tips & Tricks in the Post above.

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    Did you make this recipe?

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    © Jasmin
    Category: Salad
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    « Vegan Honey Mustard Cauliflower Chicken Wings
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marly says

      April 14, 2018 at 9:38 am

      Love the idea of combining jackfruit with the chickpeas. Sounds like the perfect flavor and texture for vegan tuna salad. Love it!

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 15, 2018 at 11:10 am

        Thank you Marly, it is so good.

        Reply
    2. Sharon says

      April 09, 2018 at 1:54 pm

      What a genius way to create a veganized tuna salad! So far, I've only used jackfruit with BBQ sauce, so I'm excited to try it with other flavourings.

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 10, 2018 at 2:50 pm

        It is so good. Let me know how you like it 🙂

        Reply
    3. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

      April 09, 2018 at 4:35 am

      Loving the combo of the chickpeas AND jackfruit!

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 09, 2018 at 6:47 am

        Thank you so much Rebecca

        Reply
    4. Cassidy says

      April 08, 2018 at 1:37 pm

      Sounds delish! Would love to try it as a tuna and cheese toastie

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 08, 2018 at 8:28 pm

        Let me know how you like it. Can't wait hearing from you.

        Reply
    5. Jen says

      April 06, 2018 at 7:12 pm

      Oh my gosh this is genius!! I remember the first time I tried kelp powder it freaked me out slightly because it tasted just like seafood! 😛 Great recipe.

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 08, 2018 at 8:54 am

        Oh yes is crazy how similar it is. I heard fishes got it just because they eat algae. Why not eating the algaes directly to get the taste.

        Reply
    6. Amber says

      April 06, 2018 at 4:03 pm

      What a genius idea, I bet the combination of chickpeas and jackfruit creates a great texture.

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 08, 2018 at 8:52 am

        It is the perfect texture to imitate it.

        Reply
    7. Linda from Veganosity says

      April 06, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      I love using jackfruit and chickpeas to make "tuna" salad. Who says being vegan has to be boring? 😉

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 08, 2018 at 8:51 am

        Right so true. Anything else as boring.

        Reply
    8. Sara | mshealthesteem.com says

      April 03, 2018 at 10:01 am

      This looks awesome Jasmin! I can't eat sea veggies but I'm already thinking about a way around that. Even if it doesn't have a tuna taste I know it will be delicious! Thanks for sharing more of your goodness ♡

      Reply
      • veeatcookbake says

        April 05, 2018 at 3:30 pm

        Thank you so much. I think it will taste still delish. Let me know how you like it. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jasmin, Recipe Developer, Photographer behind Ve Eat Cook Bake. Come and join me as I invent new Recipe in my Kitchen Zen Place.

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