Salads
Tuna and Chickpea Salad
This easy Tuna and Chickpea Salad is a protein-rich, no-cook recipe that is perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a quick weeknight dinner. Mashed chickpeas create a creamy, hearty base, while tuna adds additional protein and savory flavor. Red onion, celery, capers, fresh herbs, lemon, and nori add freshness, texture, and a subtle briny finish. Serve it in a sandwich, pile it onto toast, or spoon it over a crisp green salad.
Ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 2 cans albacore tuna, drained
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon or yellow mustard
- 1 sheet nori, crushed into flakes or finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
- 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained and chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- 1
Mash the Chickpeas
Add the rinsed and drained chickpeas to a large bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the chickpeas until they are mostly broken down but still have some texture.
- 2
Add the Tuna and Dressing
Add the drained tuna, mayonnaise, soy sauce, mustard, and crushed nori to the bowl. Stir until the tuna and chickpeas are evenly coated.
- 3
Add the Vegetables and Herbs
Add the red onion, celery, parsley or dill, capers, and lemon juice. Mix well until everything is evenly distributed.
- 4
Season the Salad
Add the salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust with additional salt, pepper, mustard, or lemon juice as needed.
- 5
Serve
Serve the tuna and chickpea salad in a sandwich, on toasted bread, in lettuce cups, or over a green salad.
Recipe Notes
- Mash the chickpeas as smoothly or as coarsely as you prefer. Leaving some chickpeas partially intact gives the salad more texture.
- Nori adds a subtle ocean-inspired flavor that complements the tuna. Kitchen shears make it easy to cut the sheet into small pieces.
- For meal prep, store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If the salad thickens after chilling, stir in a small squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
Check every ingredient against your own allergies and dietary needs. See our Health & Nutrition Disclaimer.
