Chickpea Salad Sandwich

This easy chickpea salad sandwich is creamy, tangy, and full of fresh flavor. It makes a perfect quick lunch, picnic favorite, or satisfying snack that can be made ahead and stored for busy days.

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This delicious Chickpea Salad Sandwich is the perfect plant-based upgrade to a typical tuna or egg salad sandwich. Constructed of mashed chickpeas, diced red onion, crispy celery, and zesty pickles combined with creamy vegan mayonnaise and flavorful herbs and spices, this sandwich mimics the taste and texture of the classic lunch staple.

If you like this, you might also enjoy our Vegan Pesto Sub Sandwich with marinated tofu and mouthwatering pesto mayo.

What We Love About This Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Quick & Easy Lunch Idea – If you’re like me, lunch must be quick and it must be easy. It also must taste good! This sandwich checks all the boxes and is perfect for when you are in need of new lunch ideas.

No Cooking Required – A small bit of prep work is all it takes to throw this savory sandwich together. This chickpea salad will keep well chilled in the refrigerator for several days. Prep it the night before and you’ll have lunch ready in a jiffy.

Adaptable (use what you have) – This recipe is highly adaptable. If you have the base ingredients (chickpeas and vegan mayo), you can use different vegetables or spices, depending on what you already have available. Vegetable ideas could be shredded carrots, bell peppers, radishes, cucumbers, or green onions. Use fresh or dried herbs of all types.

Portable – Chickpea salad can be very portable when rolled in a wrap or stuffed into a pita pocket. Pack this in an insulated cooler for a convenient work lunch or a relaxing picnic.

More Pleasing Aroma – Let’s face it, if you’ve ever made tuna or egg salad, the pungent odor (think fishy or sulfury) can be a bit off-putting to those around you. Chickpeas have a very mild scent that is far less offensive.

How This Recipe Supports A Healthy Lifestyle

Certain ingredients, like the ones in this Chickpea Salad Sandwich, are not only tasty, they also contribute to your overall health in many ways.

They are:

• rich in plant-based protein derived from hearty chickpeas and whole-grain bread, helping to conserve muscle and keep you full longer

• high in fiber to aid in better digestion and gut health

• filled with complex carbohydrates that can help lower the risk of disease and obesity

• packed with micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to assist the immune system and protect cells

How to Make Chickpea Salad Sandwich

See the full recipe card with measurements and instructions below.

What You’ll Need:

• canned chickpeas
• red onion
• celery
• dill pickles
• vegan mayonnaise
• mustard
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• dried parsley
• dried dill
• dried oregano
• salt & pepper
• hemp seeds
• maple syrup
• whole grain or sourdough bread

How to Make this Recipe:

In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth, leaving some small chunks for texture.

Add red onion, celery, pickles, vegan mayonnaise, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, dill, oregano, salt, pepper, hemp seeds (if using), and maple syrup. Stir until everything is well combined.

Serve on whole-grain or sour dough bread topped with spinach or lettuce, or spoon onto whole-grain crackers for a lighter option.

Storage & Notes

Storage: Store the chickpea salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The flavors deepen as it chills, making it a great make-ahead option. If serving as a sandwich, you may want to assemble just before eating to keep the bread fresh.

Notes:

• For extra protein, mix in hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped walnuts.
• Serve on whole-grain or sourdough bread, in a whole-grain wrap or pita pocket, spooned onto whole-grain crackers, or on a bed of leafy greens as a salad.
• Topping ideas could be a combination of avocado, sliced tomato, lettuce or salad greens, cucumber, or red onion.
• Fruit makes a good side dish with this sandwich, particularly red grapes or apple slices.