This vegan tuna is simply amazing. It’s so easy to make and tastes remarkably close to actual tuna, no really it does. It’s wonderful on sandwiches for a vegan tuna salad sandwich!
So what is this craziness? Vegan tuna? What’s next? Hahaa, I don’t know, I’m just getting started with the vegan meat substitutes.
And let’s just say this vegan tuna is not only completely delicious it also tastes like real tuna. The taste is spot on. But the texture? Well, the texture isn’t very tuna-like at all. But the taste is so good, you won’t mind.
The base of this recipe is mashed chickpeas and I think you can already guess that mashed chickpeas will not equal the texture of real tuna in any universe.
However, when you add all kinds of deliciousness to your mashed chickpeas, like vegan mayo (of course), finely chopped nori, lemon juice, chopped capers, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, dijon mustard, tamari and white vinegar, well it tastes a LOT like tuna salad.
And spread thickly on an open sandwich this makes a really tasty and filling meal.
For more vegan seafood-y recipes try our vegan fish, vegan shrimp, vegan scallops and vegan crab cakes. You’ll also love our vegan chicken salad (also made with chickpeas).
How To Make Vegan Tuna
You will find full instructions and measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. This is a summary of the process to go along with the process photos.
- It’s super easy and fast! Drain a can of chickpeas and add them to a container or mixing bowl.
- Mash the chickpeas with a fork and then add in vegan mayonnaise, finely chopped nori, finely chopped red onion, lemon juice, finely chopped capers, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, tamari, dijon mustard, white vinegar and salt and pepper.
- Mix in and you’re ready to serve!
Vegan Tuna Ingredient Notes:
- Canned Chickpeas: These form the base of our recipe and create the texture so we can then add all our flavorings.
- Nori Sheets: A chopped up sheet of nori adds some ‘fishy’ flavor (in a good way). An easy way to ‘chop’ it is with a scissors.
- Vegan Mayonnaise: What is a vegan tuna salad without mayonnaise? Use any vegan mayo that you like. Some good brands are Hellmans and Just Mayo. Or you can even make your own vegan mayo!
- Red Onion: Chopped red onion provides crunchy texture and plenty of flavor. A regular white or brown onion will also work fine, but I love the flavor of a red onion for this recipe.
- Lemon Juice: Provides the tang!
- Capers: Chopped capers also provide some wonderful ‘fishy’ flavor (again, in a good way!).
- Garlic Powder: Adds depth of flavor.
- Nutritional Yeast Flakes: This has so many uses, it can create cheesy flavor or it can create eggy flavor or, in this case, it can add to the fishy flavor. No really, it’s amazing stuff! Nutritional yeast flakes might as well be called magic flakes when it comes to vegan recipes.
- Tamari: We used tamari for this recipe but you could also use soy sauce if that is what you have on hand.
- Dijon Mustard: Like nutritional yeast, this can be quite a magic ingredient creating amazing flavor in vegan recipes.
- White Vinegar: This must be distilled white vinegar, it can’t be subbed for apple cider vinegar (okay, it can, in a pinch). White vinegar adds the perfect tang to this and strikes just the right note.
- Salt and Pepper: Because, of course. Enough said.
How To Serve Vegan Tuna
This is really delicious served on slices of bread with lettuce and sliced tomato and a generous amount of vegan tuna on top! It’s also divine served on crackers.
Vegan Tuna Salad
If you want to add more ingredients to make it more of a ‘salad’ then chopped up celery and cucumber is the way forward!
Storing and Freezing
Leftovers keep very well in a covered container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just give it a good stir again before serving in case any slight separation has occurred (it’s okay if this happens).
You can also freeze some if you like. Just freeze in a freezer safe container and when you want to use it again, thaw it in the fridge.
More Delicious Chickpea Recipes
- Vegan Chickpea Burgers
- Vegan Chickpea Salad
- Vegan Chickpea Curry
- Chickpea Meatballs
- Vegan Falafel
- Vegan Chicken Salad
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!
Vegan Tuna
Ingredients
- 15 ounce Can Chickpeas Drained, or 1 and ½ cups cooked chickpeas
- ¼ cup Vegan Mayonnaise (60g)
- 1 Nori Sheet Finely Chopped
- ¼ cup Red Onion Finely Chopped (about half a small red onion)
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 10 Capers Finely Chopped
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast
- 1 Tbsp Tamari or Soy Sauce
- ½ Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ tsp White Vinegar
- Sprinkle Sea Salt
- Sprinkle Ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add the chickpeas to a mixing bowl and mash them with a fork.
- Add in vegan mayonnaise, finely chopped nori, finely chopped red onion, lemon juice, finely chopped capers, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, tamari, dijon mustard, white vinegar and salt and pepper.
- Taste test and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Mix in and you’re ready to serve!
Video
Notes
- We used one 15-ounce (425g) can of chickpeas, drained. If you would prefer to use cooked chickpeas (not canned) then the amount to use is 1 and ½ cups.
- Nori – an easy way to ‘chop’ nori is with a scissors.
- Leftovers keep very well in the fridge for 2-3 days.
- This is divine served on open faced sandwiches with lettuce and sliced tomato and makes enough to top 4 slices of bread.
This is delicious! I make it regularly now. . My husband and I both love it for lunch as a sandwich or wrap. Thank you so much for the great recipe! It’s cheap, and easy to make, too!
Awesome! Thanks so much Lisa!
My goodness is this good! It even gives me a tuna after taste. Wonderful recipe!
Yay! Thanks so much Fanchen!
This was amazing! The closest in taste to actual tuna – the combo of fishy nori, unami soy sauce, and salty capers made it so realistic!!! Will definitely be making again.
Thanks for the awesome review Anna!
I haven’t tried this yet but, from the comments it tastes as described I wonder if you made it with jackfruit the texture would be more tuna like?
Hi Kathryn, I haven’t tried it with jackfruit so I’m not sure. But I recommend trying it as written first and see what you think and then you can always make adjustments.
Hi Alison, I’m sure I’ve reviewed this before but just writing in to give an adjustment I’m now using. I subbed the mayo for a plain vegan yoghurt but added a little extra garlic/Dijon/vinegar/salt to make up for the loss of flavour. No one could tell the difference from the version I’ve made using the mayonnaise. Another tip, if like me you’re using home cooked chickpeas, make sure they’re cooked well as there’s nothing more tedious than mashing chickpeas if they’re not soft enough! More vegan sandwich fillers please Alison! Thank you 😊 🙏🏼
Thanks so much for sharing Satin, that’s good to know! 🙂
OMG. I just made. Exactly like tuna fish salad, even better. And I used regular mustard, apple cider vinegar, regular salt, soy sauce. I forgot to use nutritional yeast. I was going to add pickles. It doesn’t need it. I added a little extra mustard and vinegar. I have missed tuna fish for many years (am vegetarian). I thought it might taste good, but this really does taste like tuna. Thank you.
So happy you enjoyed it Robin!
I’ve never thought to add capers to my chickpea salad, what a stroke of genius!
Thanks Claire!
Awesome. Absolutely delicious. I made it as per exact recipe except I used vegan fish sauce instead of Tamari. I can’t wait to have it on a jacket potato tonight. No need to buy ‘Chuna’ anymore!!
Yay! Thanks so much Donna!
Much prefer this to another vegan tuna mayonnaise recipe I have. I didn’t have any capers so used some olives and jalapeños. I missed out the nori this time as I really disliked it in the last dish I made it tasted too much like tuna. I used to love fish a few years ago but I find I can’t bear the taste anymore even before I turned completely vegan.
This recipe is so useful as a vegan filling for rolls and sandwiches, unfortunately it doesn’t last in my household and disappears fast. Compliments to Alison. 🙂
I was thinking of making a Coronation Chicken version for the Platinum Jubilee but I didn’t have any curry powder. I see you have something similar so will try next time, since it’s bound to be delicious.
Thank you.
It truly is amazing! Even before I added a little relish and finely chopped celery. It really smells like tuna, and tastes delish!!
Thanks so much Lisa!
I crumbled the nori in my hand before adding to the other ingredients. I was really impressed with the taste – so much so I made my friends a tuna sandwich- without telling them it was vegan- they didn’t believe me until I ate it!! It’s also great over jacket potato.
Thanks for the awesome review Ann!
This came out pretty well, but I have a couple of suggestions to ease the process. 1. chopping the nori sheet was painful, so I’m going to try dulce flakes next time. 2. Add some shredded carrot to add a little more body. Personally, I would use a little less lemon juice and a little less Dijon mustard. I will also use a bit less vegan mayo. You can tell I like it with a little more body.
Hi Fred, thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it. An easy way to ‘chop’ the nori is with a scissors. I have added a note to the recipe card. 🙂
forgot to rate, oops…
Thanks for the great review Iliana!
Great salad! To get the texture, try making it with white navy beans as a base instead of chickpeas. I don’t remember what tuna tastes or feels like, but to me the white bean version tastes like the real deal! Plus, white navy beans generate the most delicious broth of all the legumes. Try it with quick egg noodles or croutons and a little bit of dill 🙂