Made with chickpeas, vegan mayo, avocado, and bell pepper, this plant-based version of “tuna” salad makes for a tasty, easy vegan meal.
I’m all about healthy, easy dinners.
Ok ok, that statement seems like a duh. I mean, how can you not be into easy dinners that are also nutritious?
The truth is, I really love to cook and create homemade meals. But I also am a busy working mom, which means I often don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen whipping up dinner.
Enter today’s easy, vegan meal idea.
This chickpea avocado salad is a plant-based version of tuna salad that takes just a few minutes to whip up. All you need is a handful of ingredients, and it’s best to use a high-powered food processor or blender, though you can also make it by hand (it’s just more work!).
To make this easy vegan meal, the star ingredient is a can of garbanzo beans aka chickpeas. We combine the beans with an avocado, vegan mayo, chopped celery, bell pepper, and red onion, along with a few spices like paprika and garlic powder.
After pulsing all of the ingredients together for a few seconds until the mixture is combined but still has a bit of chunkiness to it, it’s ready to go! You can dip crackers in your chickpea “tuna” salad, spoon it into lettuce wraps, or add some to your favorite bread with your go-to sandwich fixings.
For dinner, I like to make chickpea avocado salad sandwiches with whole grain bread, lettuce, and tomato, and serve it with oven baked fries or tortilla chips and salsa.
Any way you choose to eat it, this easy vegan meal is sure to be a hit!
The Recipe
Chickpea Avocado "Tuna" Salad
Equipment
- 1 high powered blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pitted avocado
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 red onion, minced
- 1/4 TSP paprika
- 1/4 TSP fine sea salt
- 1/4 TSP garlic powder
- 1/8 TSP ground pepper
- 2 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- Crackers for dipping, iceberg lettuce for lettuce wraps, or if making sandwiches, whole grain bread and favorite toppings like lettuce and tomato
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender or food processor. Pulse just until all ingredients are combined. You're looking for a consistency that isn't totally smooth (think chicken or tuna salad).
- Spoon out of the blender/food processor and enjoy with crackers, as a sandwich, or as lettuce wraps. Stores well in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Looking for more easy vegan meal ideas? Check these posts out:
- The Three Plant-Based Soup Recipes I’ve Had On Repeat
- Mediterranean Orzo Pasta Salad
- Hearty One-Pot Ratatouille
- Portobello Mushroom & Asparagus Risotto
I do love a good chick pea salad too! Super easy and very tasty
This looks so hearty and satisfying — I’d love it as a dip with crunchy veggies or crackers!
What a tasty idea! It certainly reminds me of hummus, and we’ve been snacking on hummus + pita all week for lunches. I’ll have to try this with the avocado in there, too. We’re always looking for fun new ideas for weekday lunches – thanks for the inspiration!