Growing up, tuna salad was one of my favourite lunchtime staples – creamy, savoury, and so satisfying scooped onto bread or crackers. But when I shifted to a plant-based lifestyle, I knew I had to find a way to recreate that nostalgic flavour without compromising my values. Enter this vegan tuna salad: a cruelty-free twist on the classic that’s just as delicious (if not better!).
The secret to nailing the perfect “tuna” texture lies in the combo of heart of palm and chickpeas. The heart of palm shreds beautifully to mimic the flakiness of tuna, while the chickpeas bring a hearty dose of protein and creaminess when mashed. Toss in a tangy, creamy dressing with a touch of dill and lemon, and you’ve got yourself a plant-based masterpiece. Whether you’re packing it for lunch, serving it as a snack, or piling it high on a sandwich, this vegan tuna salad is guaranteed to hit the spot – nostalgia and all!
What is vegan tuna salad made of?
This vegan tuna salad is made using heart of palm and chickpeas to replicate the flakey, creamy texture of traditional tuna salad. It’s seasoned with tangy, savoury flavours like lemon, dill pickles, capers, vegan yoghurt, and more, to give it that nostalgic taste, but it’s 100% plant-based and cruelty-free.
Can I use a different ingredient instead of heart of palm?
If you can’t find heart of palm, jackfruit is a great substitute! It has a similar flakey texture when shredded and works beautifully in this recipe.
Can I use vegan mayo instead of yoghurt?
Yes, you can absolutely use vegan mayo instead of yogurt in your vegan tuna salad! The mayo will give it a richer, creamier texture, which is perfect for achieving that classic tuna salad vibe. If you prefer a tangier flavour, consider adding a small squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar to balance it out. Both options work well, so it really comes down to your personal preference!
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! It’s a great make-ahead option since the flavours meld together beautifully after a few hours in the fridge. Perfect for meal prep!
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The vegan tuna salad itself is gluten-free, but make sure to pair it with gluten-free bread, crackers, or wraps if needed!
More recipes you might like:
Sourdough Ciabatta Bread Rolls
Creamy Dill Potato Salad
Vegan Zucchini Fritters
Vegan Chicken Gyros
Vegan Tuna Salad
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This cruelty-free vegan tuna salad is a perfect plant-based twist on the classic! Made with heart of palm and chickpeas, it’s creamy, flavourful, and packed with protein. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, crackers, or salads – nostalgia never tasted so kind!
Ingredients
1 cup Heart of Palm, shredded
1 cup Chickpeas, mashed
2 tbsp Celery, finely chopped
1 tsp Mini Capers
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
2 Dill Pickles, finely chopped
1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
2 tbsp Unsweetened Coconut Yoghurt or Vegan Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 Brown Onion, finely chopped
Directions
- Drain chickpeas and heart of palm from their cans and rinse well. Place chickpeas into a medium sized bowl and roughly mash.
- Next, prepare your other ingredients by finely chopping the celery, onion, capers and pickles. Add into the bowl.
- Roughly mash and chop the heart of palm and add into the bowl. It should resemble a flaky texture.
- Season with salt, old bay seasoning (or if you don’t have this, use celery salt), lemon juice and unsweetened coconut yoghurt and/or vegan mayonnaise. Stir to combine everything.
- Serve on ciabatta bread rolls or even pop into a lettuce cups for a fresh and delicious tuna alternative!
