Description

A vibrant, plant-based alternative to traditional tuna salad, this recipe features mashed chickpeas and a creamy harissa-lime dressing for a quick, healthy lunch or meal prep option.

Ingredients

Scale

15 oz canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
0.25 cup vegan mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon harissa paste
0.5 cup finely diced celery
0.25 cup finely diced red onion
0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
0.5 teaspoon sea salt, to taste
0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Chickpeas: Place the rinsed and drained chickpeas in a medium bowl. Mash gently with a fork or potato masher, leaving some whole for a chunky texture. Do not over-mash into a paste.
Make Creamy Dressing Base: In a separate small bowl, combine the vegan mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of lime juice, 0.5 tablespoon of harissa paste, sea salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth.
Combine Salad Ingredients: Add the diced celery and red onion to the mashed chickpeas. Pour the creamy dressing over the mixture and fold gently with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Add more lime juice if the mixture seems too dry.
Create Smoky Drizzle: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the remaining 0.5 tablespoon harissa paste, remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice, smoked paprika, and extra virgin olive oil until emulsified.
Serve and Garnish: Spoon the chickpea salad onto a serving plate. Drizzle generously with the prepared smoky oil and garnish with finely chopped fresh cilantro. Serve immediately on toast, in wraps, or over greens.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you dislike cilantro, substitute with fresh parsley or chives. For a milder flavor, rinse the diced red onion briefly under cold water before adding to the salad.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: General

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (~200 g)
Calories: 280 calories
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 380 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 8 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: chickpea salad, vegan, plant-based, harissa, quick lunch, healthy, meal prep, easy recipe, no-cook