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    Home » Lunch

    Vegan Chickpea of the Sea 'Tuna' Sandwiches

    Published: Apr 6, 2017 · Modified: Feb 23, 2024 by Louise-Claire Cayzer · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    One of the things I've kinda missed since going vegan is tuna. I used to love tuna sandwiches, but since making these Vegan Chickpea Tuna Sandwiches that craving has been satisfied!

    Seriously guys, if you are flexitarian or even reducing your meat intake, you should take a long hard look at the species of fish you eat and make a bit of a choice. And tuna should not be in it. Ever. Under any circumstances. It is simply unsustainable in all its forms.

    But how to have that yummy juicy tuna sandwich, but without the sad cruelty of eating an endangered species? Well, that is where my chickpea 'tuna' sandwich filler comes in. We love to call this sandwich 'Chickpea of the Sea' instead of chickpea tuna, mostly because it sounds cute!

    Chickpea Tuna Sandwich being picked up this recipe
    Jump to:
    • Key Ingredients:
    • 👩‍🍳Handy step by step guide
    • ❓FAQ
    • 🍽️Other Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ok- So the texture isn't quite the same, but the pleasing give when you munch, the mayo, crunch of a pickle and the seasoning is all spot on. And you don't have to feel any guilt. Just pure, yummy sandwich joy. I've trialed this vegan chickpea tuna sandwich filler on my toughest critic- The Gardener, my omni partner, and he gave it two thumbs up. I always know if a recipe is a winner if he likes it.

    And, He loves it. In fact, he loved it so much he ate it without a sandwich! And then asked me to make more.

    Vegan Chickpea tuna sandwiches stacked up.

    Key Ingredients:

    Nori: And how you may ask do I get that sea taste? Well the answer is Nori. You know nori, it's the wrapper for sushi. A pressed seaweed that when salted and powdered into a yummy sprinkle gives this sandwich filler a pleasant reminder of the sea. You can get Nori sprinkles to add to rice from good Japanese shops (like the Japan Centre in London) or from various organic shops. I like Clearspring Nori sprinkles (affiliate link).

    Chickpeas: Good quality tinned or jarred cooked chickpeas are fine to have in this sandwich. Just save the chickpea 'juice' (aka Aquafaba) for using to make mayo or cakes!

    Mayo: I like to make my own vegan mayo Aquafaba Garlicky Vegan Mayo. Alternatively buy in a good quality one We like Follow your Heart (affiliate link)

    Dill and other herbs: Fresh or dried dill creates a traditional 'seafood' taste. I also like to add lots of fresh parsley if I have it available.

    Capers: or little pickled cucumbers both give a great crunch and salty texture to the sandwich mix.

    Chickpea of the sea sandwich with lettuce and radish.

    👩‍🍳Handy step by step guide

    Ingredients for vegan chickpea tuna sandwich filling.
    Ingredients for vegan chickpea tuna sandwich filling.
    Mashing the chickpeas.
    Mashing the chickpeas.
    Add nori flakes, spring onion, capers.
    Add nori flakes, spring onion, capers.
    Add vegan mayo.
    Add vegan mayo.
    Mash again to mix all the ingredients together.
    Mash again to mix all the ingredients together.
    Assemble your vegan chickpea tuna sandwich.
    Assemble your vegan chickpea tuna sandwich.

    This recipe is just for the vegan chickpea tuna sandwich filler and not for the other bits of the sandwich. I'm assuming you know what you like in a sarnie! Personally I like some crunch, so radishes are in. I also love some green stuff. In my case some rocket and any herbs that I have lying around. Also some kind of tomato is yummy. Add some extra chilli sauce if you like. It's your sammy, do what you want. Make it delicious.

    ❓FAQ

    What is Nori?

    Nori is dried seaweed. You will usually find it wrapped around your sushi!

    I can't find Nori Flakes. What can I use instead?

    You could crush up a few sheets of the nori you use to make sushi out of. It's easy to find in most supermarkets. You can leave it out too if you like.

    Do you need to mash the chickpeas?

    I like to mash the chickpeas to get a better texture. They also don't tend to fall out of the sandwich when mashed a bit! Use a potato masher, a fork, or whizz up a bit in your food processor.

    How long does the filling store for?

    Roughly a week in a sealed container in the fridge.

    Have you ever made Chickpea of the Sea sandwiches? Do you love them as much as we do?

    🍽️Other Recipes

    You'll love these other recipes if you like this vegan tuna recipe:

    • Vegan Baked Potato Toppings (like this vegan chickpea tuna, we have some other great recipes that are brilliant on a baked potato)
    • 30 of the Best Vegan Fish and Vegan Seafood Recipes
    • Vegan Crab Cakes

    Let us know what other variations you make with this recipe!

    If you love this recipe, please share this post with your friends on Pinterest or Facebook, or tag me on Insta! Don't forget to also please comment and star ⭐this recipe too!

    Love & Vegan Yummies, Louise xx (P.S. Follow me on Insta and Tik Tok!)

    📖 Recipe

    A stack of chickpea of the sea (vegan tuna) sandwiches ready to eat.

    Chickpea 'Tuna' Sandwiches

    Louise-Claire Cayzer
    Super simple and totally delicious! This easy sandwich filler will satisfy your tuna cravings whilst leaving our precious fish in the sea where they belong! 
    4.67 from 3 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course lunch, picnic, sandwich
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 2
    Calories 293 kcal

    Ingredients Note:

    For accuracy, I measure all ingredients in metric as standard, then convert and test the recipe for American cup measurements etc.

    (Heads up Aussie and UK readers- your measurements in cups are sometimes different, so please use metric or check you have the correct cup and spoon type!!)

    Ingredients

    • 240 g (1½ cups) cooked chickpeas (equivalent to 1 tin/can)
    • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
    • 2 teaspoon nori sprinkles (nori is the seaweed that goes around sushi)
    • 1 teaspoon dried or fresh dill
    • 1 tablespoon capers
    • 2-3 tablespoon vegan mayo (I make my own!)
    • Salt & Pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Drain the tin/can of chickpeas.
    • Mash all the ingredients together so the chickpeas are roughly crushed.
    • Add any more seasonings to taste.
    • Create a sandwich with any other salad bits you like! 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 11gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 203mgPotassium: 402mgFiber: 10gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 418IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe and loved it? Follow and Mention @vegan_larder or comment and ⭐ below

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.67 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    1. Vegan-Buys says

      March 06, 2018 at 6:57 pm

      Great recipe. I must make this today!

      Reply
      • Louise says

        March 06, 2018 at 10:16 pm

        Hope you love it as much as I do! x

        Reply
    2. laura Jones says

      April 06, 2017 at 9:02 am

      Looks great Louise! Must try this.

      Reply

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