Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad
A protein-packed, creamy vegan salad with mashed chickpeas, capers, and dill, perfect for wraps or sandwiches. This american-inspired vegan ready in about 15 minutes pairs Chickpeas, finely diced Red onion, finely diced Celery for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Chickpeas
- 1/4 cup finely diced Red onion
- 1/2 cup finely diced Celery
- 3 tbsp chopped Dill pickles
- 1 tbsp drained Capers
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 3 tbsp Vegan mayo
- 2 tbsp chopped Fresh dill
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/8 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Drain and rinse 1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, then place in a bowl. Mash with a fork until mostly smooth but still slightly chunky, about 1 minute.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/2 cup diced celery, 3 tbsp chopped dill pickles, 1 tbsp drained capers, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp vegan mayo, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
- Step 3: Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper, mixing until fully combined and creamy.
- Step 4: Chill for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving on bread or in lettuce cups.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Chickpea 'Tuna' Salad?
American vegan like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better vegan dishes though.
