One of my favorite go-to sandwiches is my chickpea "tuna" salad sandwich. Well this time I give it a bit of a more decadent spin by using not only chickpeas, but also walnuts as the base. The walnuts add a buttery and rich texture that is simply divine when combined with the lemon-pepper flavor. Make this Walnut-Chickpea Salad Sandwich one of your new go-to lunchtime recipes!
I also did a new YouTube video for this recipe that I hope you all enjoy! For the video, I put a bit of a fall/holiday spin on this recipe by adding in dried cranberries. That pop of sweet with all the bright and savory flavors is perfect. Get the recipe and watch me make (and eat!) this yummy recipe..
Nutrition. This recipe makes about 4 servings. And each serving contains around 300 calories, 125% RDA iron, over 8g protein, 5g fiber and plenty of healthy fats. Tip: If you want to reduce the fat content you can cut the vegan mayo by half or use a reduced fat version. Or substitute half of the walnuts with lightly smashed chickpeas.
Easy (healthy) delicious vegan lunch. Walnuts are rich in vitamin E, copper and omega-3 fatty acids (the kind you want to be eating more of!)
This is a great make-ahead recipe! Make it the day before and pop it in the fridge. When you are ready to serve it, simply layer it on some toast, serve on top of a salad or eat with crackers or veggie sticks. So many serving options.
Lemon-pepper flavor in every bite!
Make it extra-fancy by folding in any of these goodies:
* dried or fresh cranberries
* chopped apples (fall season winner!)
* diced carrot or shredded beets (colorful adds!)
* diced jalapeño (spicy twist)
* chopped onion
* diced pear (sweet!)
* pomegranate seeds (I am trying this next! Bejewel your 'wich)
* finely chopped greens like kale or spinach
* chopped herbs like dill or parsley
* diced avocado (Avocado on E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G)
* additional spices like cayenne, curry, turmeric and more!
Serving suggestions: On a salad. Stuffed inside a raw or roasted bell pepper. As a dip. Inside pita pockets or a wrap. As a sandwich on toasted bread. With crackers as a power-fuel snack!
Watch me make the recipe, then hop in your kitchen and try it for yourself! (recipe below)
Walnut Salad, Nut-Tuna
By
Published 11/07/2014
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon vegan mayo
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt + ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- optional: a few pinches of cayenne
- optional: tablespoon of nutritional yeast
- optional: 1 teaspoon tahini for more complex flavor
- optional: ½ sheet nori, crumbled (for ocean flavor)
Instructions
- Add walnuts to a blender or food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chickpeas and lemon to blender and puree until smooth, like a hummus.
- Fold the chickpea mixture into the walnuts and add spices. Fold in the celery. Add in any optional ingredients.
- Serve right away or place in the fridge to chill before serving on salads or in sandwiches. Salad will thicken up as it chills.
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 00 hrs. 10 mins.
Total time: 10 mins.
Nutrition
- Calories: 302kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 9g
- Dietaryfiber: 5g
- Totalcarbs: 14g
Tags: salad,sandwich,walnuts,chickpeas,vegan,lunch,easy,
Happy lunchtime with this fish-approved feast! 🙂
Mandy says
I just wanted to thank you for your delicious walnut chickpea sandwich! I've made it twice this week!!! So delicious and quick to make! Definitely in my lunch rotation now!!!
Mandy says
I just wanted to thank you for your delicious walnut chickpea sandwich! I've made it twice this week!!! So delicious and quick to make! Definitely in my lunch rotation now!!!
calh says
I've made something similar and the addition of walnuts hits the spot. Couldn't stop with just one sandwich.
Kathy Patalsky says
Walnuts are so good!
Wally says
Man..this looks pretty freakin good...it looks like a good sandwich on a Sunday for some reason.
Ría Cherie says
YUM! This was my first vegan protein creation, and I'm proud that I'm starting to learn. Thanks for what you do...thanks for sharing!!! [for me, it also had too much lemon, but I'll cut that next time :-D]
Saying out says
A wonderful sandwich to share when out shopping, now what more could we want?
Sandra McMillon says
This is absolutely the best NOT tuna salad ever !!! How long will it keep in frig . since it makes a huge amount for one person ?
Shanna says
omg kathy this was delicious. holy crap i can't get enough of it. the first batch i made i loved it but it was too lemony for me. and i love lemon. but it was like WOW LEMON!! Lol so the next time i made it, only a couple days later, i used less lemon juice and filled the rest of the 1/3 cup with water. and i added a tiny bit of sweet relish. and it was PERFECT for me. i LOVE this. thank you so much for posting. and it literally looks IDENTICAL to tuna. i'm so in love with this recipe.
Kathy Patalsky says
Haha yay! So glad you liked it Shanna!
Kimmy says
Mmm I have actually used walnuts to help the base of chickpea salad - it's so good! Love the sound of this and it looks so good as a sandwich.
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes so good! Adds some oomph 🙂
llamasox says
I found your recipe over the weekend, but didn't have time then to make it. I was thinking about this yumminess all day long at work - made it tonight and it was just perfect! Love the little bit of cayenne!!
GlutenFreeHappyTummy says
i've never seen "tuna" salad look so gourmet! it looks super delish!
Kirstin says
I just made a batch. Yum! I did not spice it up as I'll use it in a wrap with sour kraut and greens this week for my lunch.
JenH says
made this today for lunch. I didn't have walnuts so i used almonds and pecans. It was a little too lemony for me but just by a little and that may be because I didn't have walnuts. It was really a nice texture, taste, and very filling! I added onions, celery and raisins. Really delicious! thanks.
Ashley Mora says
Mmm this looks so delicious! I can't wait to try it out!
Surley Campos Carneiro Dammann says
Parece delicioso
Jo @ Including Cake says
Loving the walnut addition! yum 🙂
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Oh my gosh I haven't craved a sandwich in so long. And now it's all in going to be able to think about for the rest of the day! Yum! I'll def try this with the pomegranates because they are amazing 🙂 thanks for sharing!!
Claire Elizabeth says
Great step-by-step video Kathy! Also, that knife is AMAZING! Makes the most clean slices I've ever seen! None of my knives are that professional! Hahah! Lol!
MattyB says
Wonderful recipe, excellent photos. Looking forward to trying the recipe, with avocado of course! ☺️
Kathy Patalsky says
I almost put avocado on this sandwich! Would be even more amazing!
Ashley Mora says
Great Idea!!!
Heather McClees says
What a great recipe! Tuna was always a favorite until I ate plant-based, so this is perfect! Glad you mentioned chickpeas, they're one of my favorites too!
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
This is perfect! My dad is trying to finally go vegan, and tuna salad is one of the things he's struggling to give up. I'm sending this too him right now! Thanks, Kathy 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Glad to hear that Natalie!
Jenni says
Hi! This sandwich looks amazing. Is it okay if I use pecans instead of walnuts?
Thanks!
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes of course!
Jenni says
This salad made my day. It is absolutely delicious!!! I just started a vegan diet and your website makes everything seem simple. Thank you for being an inspiration!
Kathy Patalsky says
So glad you liked it Jenni