Vegan protein salads invite you to be as complicated as you wish. While it is possible (and possibly desirable) to make your own “chicken”, “tuna”, or “egg” base as well as your own “mayonnaise” dressing, this recipe is one of three that preserves the simplicity of mixing which makes its animal-based equivalent so attractive. Even eyeballing ingredients is presented as an option for you!
More Vegan Protein Salads
Consequently, you’re not going to fool anyone into thinking they’re eating chicken, tuna, or egg with these recipes. But you will have an equally easy and satisfying lunch that offers all the flavors – and most of the textures – you know and love!
So, why call them chicken, tuna, and egg salads?
Because that’s how I search! I’ve seen chick’n and chikun; toona and tuno; eggz and veggs, but such wordplay I almost always discover when searching “vegan chicken”, etc. I suspect many others operate similarly.
And so I give you my Tuna-Inspired Chickpea Salad (or Tuno Salad if you prefer).
“Tuna” Salad
Description
The first three letters of "seasoning" spell "sea", and that's exactly what I use to deliver the taste of fish. Seaweed, Old Bay, and the power of suggestion go a long way!
Ingredients
Protein
Produce
Dressing
Add-ins
Optional Garnish
Instructions
-
Manually or motorically breakdown chickpeas until only a few remain whole.
I generally grab my potato masher, but a food processor or blender also work for this step. Pulse, then transfer to a mixing bowl before proceeding. -
Add remaining ingredients using measurements above or reference picture below. Mix thoroughly.
Clockwise from Top Left: celery, dill relish, vegan mayonnaise, brown mustard, shallot/onion; Center: ground seaweed -
If available, refrigerate 1 hour.
Though not critical, this step allows flavors to meld. Your meal will still be delicious if you skip it, but your shallot or onion may be potent. -
Serve and garnish as desired.
Note
Try my "Egg" Salad and Cranberry Tarragon "Chicken" Salad as well.
Whichever you make, peruse my vegan mayonnaise review to learn why I recommend Hellmann's and Chosen Foods!
