Vegan Tuna Mayo (Tuna Salad) Sandwich

Vegan tuna mayo (aka tuna salad) is easy to make, healthy and a great meat-free alternative to fish. The texture comes from mashed chickpeas (garbanzo beans) so it's a nutritious sandwich filling with loads of fantastic flavours.

Vegan Chickpea Tuna

Do you get into lunch ruts?

I do.

I'll spend a week having the same thing every day, from salad or smoothies to soup (check out my epic list of vegan soup recipes) or a sandwich.

I also quite often whip up my beloved Spanish beans in just 15 minutes or eat it as leftovers.

My usual vegan sandwich filling is hummus and grated carrot, but again, I get into a food rut with that.

I also love a vibrant rainbow vegetable sandwich.

Vegan Tuna

Lately I've been loving vegan tuna sandwiches (aka vegan tuna salad sandwiches).

I know, it sounds rather bizarre, but mashed chickpeas/garbanzo beans make a fantastic base for flavourings and give the sandwich a filling density. Trust me.

Sure, it's not going to be exactly like tuna.

But it has a lovely umami flavour and thick texture that's delicious in sandwiches.

You can add crumbled nori seaweed for a 'fishy' taste, or leave it out and let the red onions and capers add the deeper flavour.

Be sure to also check out my Vegan Fish and Seafood Recipes.

How to make the best vegan tuna salad sandwich

Vegan tuna mayo is sooooo easy to make.

See those ingredients above?

Just mash them all up together and then spread them onto your bread.

Simple.

You can also make it ahead and keep it in the fridge for a few days. Letting it sit allows the flavours to really develop.

Ingredients for Vegan Tuna Mayo

chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
vegan mayonaise
onion
spring onions (scallions)
salt and pepper

These ingredients are all optional, but really take it from a chickpea sandwich filling to a more umami tuna-esque flavour
capers
nutritional yeast
soy sauce or tamari
nori seaweed

Are you unfamiliar with those little green things above? They're capers. Little pickled balls of deliciousness.

If you don't have them to hand you can leave them out, but I adore their flavour and love them in vegan tuna mayo.

They're easy to find in supermarkets, but you could substitute with finely chopped gherkins/dill pickles.

I also like to sprinkle a little vegan parmesan cheese on this vegan tuna sandwich.

It only takes a few minutes to whiz the cashews and spices together and it's tasty on salad, stews, pasta etc...!

Sandwich Recipes

Looking for more tasty sandwich recipes? Try these!

Roasted Vegetable Sandwich
Rainbow Vegetable Sandwich
Peruvian Sandwich

Take a look at my other vegan recipes, including cakes, breakfasts, main meals, stews and snacks.

Get the Easy Vegan Tuna Mayo Recipe

Did you make this vegetarian tuna recipe?

Please let me know how this vegan chickpea tuna recipe turned out for you! Leave a comment and star rating below and share a picture on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #veggiedesserts.

Vegan Tuna Mayo (aka tuna salad) Sandwich

Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts

Vegan tuna mayo is easy to make, healthy and a great alternative to fish. The texture comes from mashed chickpeas (garbanzo beans) so it's a nutritious sandwich filling with loads of fantastic flavours including capers and red onion.

4.96 from 41 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

SaveSaved!

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 0 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Dips and Spreads, Sandwich

Cuisine American, International, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings 4

Calories 75 kcal

Ingredients

 

UK Measures<>

• 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) 400g/15oz can
• 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red onion finely chopped
• 1 spring onion (scallion), finely chopped
• 15 capers finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (optional)
• 1 ½ teaspoons tamari or soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon crumbled dried nori seaweed (optional)
• Small pinch salt and pepper

To serve:

• Lettuce
• Tomatoes sliced
• Bread of choice

Instructions

 

• Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then coarsely mash them with a fork.
• Add all remaining ingredients and mix to combine.
• Serve on bread with salad leaves and tomatoes.
• !Note: if gluten-free choose gluten-free mayonnaise and soy sauce.

Notes

Nutrition facts are given for the filling only since the type of bread or wrap you choose will affect the nutrition.

Nutrition

Calories: 75kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 6gSodium: 238mgPotassium: 20mgVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 0.8mgIron: 0.1mg

The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.