Chickpea “Tuna” Salad

For the Simple Green Salad with Lemon Honey Dressing, click here.

For the Chickpea Tuna Salad, read on!

New! I’ve added a cooking video to this page so you can see how quick and easy it is to make this naturally gluten-free Chickpea Tuna Salad!

If you’re new to the website, I have a printable recipe on the bottom of every recipe page with exact measurements and directions.

Enjoy!

Update August 2020:  We aren’t making many packed lunches these days, but this Chickpea Tuna Salad is a good idea anytime!

We are especially loving it in on these hot Summer days because it has the best flavor profile — savory, creamy, crunchy, salty and delish!

Hope you love it too!

And for more lunch ideas, click here.

Original post…

Continuing my series on packed lunch ideas with one of my go-to packed lunches!

I constantly get requests for lunch ideas.

On Instagram stories, I share my lunch almost daily— usually a big hearty salad, repurposed leftovers, or quesadilla.  But when I need to PACK lunch, this is my favorites!

A little background…

While my husband loves tuna salad, I haven’t eaten tuna in years for a variety of reasons, but love the idea it!  There’s something about the combination of creaminess, saltiness and crunch that’s so satisfying!

Enter Chickpea “Tuna” Salad!

It’s a faux “tuna” salad that I personally love more than the original and even have  my husband hooked!

It’s flavorful, nourishing, satisfying and delicious!

And it makes the best lunch!

It comes together quickly, can be made ahead and keeps well! As in, it travels well and is great in warm weather since there is nothing to “go bad” in the heat, although I always recommend keeping in a cooler or refrigerator depending on where we’re going.

Plus, just like tuna salad, it works equally well on a sandwich, atop a salad, served in a lettuce wrap or with crackers.

This version is based on one from my friend Corey @thevegansix and is packed with veggies!

As an aside, if you don’t know Corey definitely check out her Instagram feed. She’s the mom of 4 kids and she and her husband are raising a Vegan family.  But she really believes in sharing her knowledge of and excitement for plant-based living so that everyone can enjoy plant-based meals even if they are omnivores.  Her recipes are easy and tasty!

Back to the Chickpea “Tuna” Salad.

Here is what you’ll need, 8 real whole food ingredients:

1 can chickpeas

red onion

celery

carrot

dill

Vegan mayo (or any mayo if you’re not following a vegan diet)

Dijon mustard

a lemon for fresh lemon juice

salt and pepper.

Together is has that creamy, salty and savory flavor you want from a “tuna” salad, plus crunch from the veggies.

Plus it is packed with nutrients and filling!

And it couldn’t be easier to make!

All you do it place chickpeas and the chopped veggies and seasonings in a large bowl and gently mash everything together with a fork until the chickpeas are mostly crushed.

Serve with your favorite greens or crackers or make into a sandwich and enjoy!

When I eat is as part of a salad, I generally just squeeze some fresh lemon juice on the greens and it’s super flavorful because of the chickpea salad.

When I made this lunchbox, I decided to include romaine which could be used as a salad or as mini romaine boats/ wraps, crackers for some salty crunch (they also work great as little scoopers for the salad), plus some additional veggies for crunch and of course some fruit and a sweet treat!

The sweet treat I opted for was our favorite Mini Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.  They have the perfect sweet and salty flavor for dessert, plus just a little chocolate…. need I say more?

Packed in a Lunch Bots Bento Box (Amazon Affiliate Link).

Hope you love it as much as we do!

For more Gluten-Free Lunchbox ideas including a Mexican Fiesta Lunch, Hummus Snack Plate, and Breakfast for Lunch, click here.

For an easy Sushi Lunchbox, including the yummiest Miso Ginger Dressing, click here.

PIN it!

Scroll down for the recipe and leave a comment if you try.