Our vegan "tuna" salad is a delicious plant-based alternative for anyone who is craving tuna salad but can't or won't eat fish. Made with white beans, palm hearts, and old bay seasoning to give it the perfect flavor. It's also dairy-free and you don't need vegan mayo to make it. Serve it with a side of our Roasted Rosemary & Sage Home Fries.
Published June 8, 2016 and updated May 17, 2020.
Classic Vegan Tuna Salad
This classic tuna salad is a popular choice when it comes to making a delicious and hearty sandwich.
Although this salad doesn't have any tuna in it, it comes close to the real thing.
The texture and flavor is pretty darn close, and we think you're going to love how it tastes and how easy it is to make.
Why Vegan?
Who would want to make a fake tuna salad with white beans and hearts of palm instead of opening a can of real tuna?
Because.....
- Mercury – Read this to learn more.
- Overfishing is killing our oceans – Read this to learn more.
- It tastes good.
- No fishy odor.
- You won't have fish breath.
- It won’t spoil as fast as tuna will.
- You’ll save a fish.
What more could you possibly want from a salad that is pretty darn close to the real deal?
How Do You Make Vegan Tuna Salad?
STEP ONE
Finely chop the palm hearts, bell pepper, onion, celery, and dill.
STEP TWO
In a large bowl, mash the beans with a fork or potato masher. You want to break them down so they become creamy, yet have some solid pieces for texture.
STEP THREE
Add the Old Bay seasoning, mustard, and salt and pepper and stir to combine. Taste and add more seasoning if you like.
How to Serve Tuna Salad
- Make a tuna salad sandwich with bread or toast. Add lettuce and tomato, or any topping you like.
- Serve it on a bed of greens for a low carb option.
- Core a tomato and spoon the salad into the center for a beautiful presentation.
More Easy Vegan Salads You'll Love
Spring Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Vegan Creamy Southern-Style Potato Salad
Make our vegan tuna salad recipe and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.
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Vegan “Tuna Salad
Equipment
- 1 food processor
Ingredients
- 15 ounce Great Northern white beans drained, rinsed, and patted dry
- 3 large palm hearts coarsely chopped
- ½ red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1 large stalk of celery finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon fresh dill minced
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard for best results avoid stone ground mustard
- Ground sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Mash the beans in a medium bowl until they're creamy, but you can still see smaller pieces.
- Add the chopped palm hearts, bell pepper, onion, celery, dill, 1 teaspoon (more if you like a strong flavor) Old Bay seasoning, 2 tablespoon mustard, and salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
PIN ME!
Suzy says
I'm wondering about the sodium content. This says for 3 servings, but a tsp of Old Bays has 640 mg, plus likely some in the jarred hearts of palm, and then added S&P to taste. Can I leave out the Old Bays without compromising the flavor? I don't like the taste of salt at all and usually omit it, but every time I've made things with Old Bays in it, it has not been tasty to me. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Suzy! You can definitely leave out the Old Bay. It does lend a seafood flavor, but if you don't like it that defeats the purpose. 🙂 I'd suggest adding a bit of celery seed and ground thyme to give it some flavor. Add it by the 1/4 tsp, taste, and add more if you think it needs it. I hope this is helpful.
Catherine says
Can you lave out the mustard? Any substitutes. I used dijon -1 tablespoon as that was all I had left and I didn't care for it? I am not a big mustard fan but wanted to make the recipe as written. Thank you for your reply.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Catherine, yes, this wouldn't appeal to someone who doesn't like mustard. You can use vegan mayo in it's place. If you're not a fan of mayo, you could use a bit of olive oil as a binder. 🙂
Amy McCord says
Could I use artichoke hearts in place of the hearts of palm?
Linda Meyer says
You could try it, we haven't so I can't promise that it will taste like the recipe that was written. Just make sure to use artichoke hearts that are packed in water, not oil. Let us know how it turns out. 🙂
Carol Ann Allis says
I made this just now and it is very good ! Thank you !
Linda Meyer says
Hi Carol Ann! Thank you so much for taking the time to let us know that you liked the "tuna" salad. We're so happy you enjoyed it. 🙂
Gin says
This is my first time hearing of OSEA but they sound like a fabulous brand! My mom is a total tuna salad freak and I have to try this recipe out on her! It sounds awesome on all levels. 🙂
Linda Meyer says
It's a fabulous skin care line, Gin. I'm loving it! Let me know what your mom thinks. 🙂
Lucie @WIN-WIN FOOD says
Can you believe I've never had a vegan version of this before? But your palm-heart-based one sounds like it might come really close to the original! Plus I love the speedy prep 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Palm hearts are so versatile, they really do come close to matching the texture of shredded tuna. Gosh that sounds horrible. 🙁
Molly Kumar says
What a great looking and hearty sandwich. I had no idea today was oceans day 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Molly! Everyday should be oceans day! 🙂
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
I am all for saving fish and the oceans. What we humans are doing to them is terrible. I went out whale watching today and saw some beautiful resident orca. Our resident orca here off the coast of Victoria BC are different than other orca in that they don't eat seals. They eat salmon and other fish and are having such a hard time surviving because of the lack of fish in the ocean. It's so sad. If more of us gave up eating fish it would make such a difference to them.
Back to your recipe, I would gladly eat a massive fat sandwich full of your "tuna". It looks awesome. I bet it would be lovely in a jacket potato too!
Linda Meyer says
So true, Melanie. I just read that over 30% of the fish caught are used to feed livestock! Cows, pigs, and chickens were never meant to eat fish, how warped is that. Orcas are starving because fish are being caught and fed to farm animals. UGH! Anyway, thank you, I hope you try the recipe. Let me know what you think.
Uma Srinivas says
So much goodness in this:) looks delicious! In summer time need more healthy and simple menu Idea!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Uma! I just made it again for lunch and loved it even more the second time around. 🙂
Jac -Tinned Tomatoes (@tinnedtoms) says
I'm going to think of this as a bean sandwich filling. Even talking about tuna makes be feel a bit ill. Looks like a great filling and so nutritious. Stumbled, pinned and tweeted.
Linda Meyer says
Haha! I get it, you can call it whatever you like. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Goodness, the more I hear about what's going on in the oceans, the more thankful I am to not be consuming seafood! And this looks wonderful, I like that it uses beans in place of nuts of seeds for a lower fat option. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
It's so sad and scary, I really hope people start paying attention. Thanks so much, the beans give it a great texture.
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes says
What a smart idea, Linda! I could eat this for lunch everyday! I love that you used white beans and not chickpeas for this sandwich. Great alternative!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Vanessa! I've used chickpeas in an "egg" salad, I thought "tuna" called for something lighter and a little creamier.
J L Gulliver says
OK. Made this for lunch today and really like the color and taste. I did not have fresh dill so used a little dried. I could taste it, but it wasn't overwhelming (really, just right!). Thanks so much for this. I've tried a bunch of your recipes and find I can rely on them. Keep 'em coming.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoyed this and my other recipes. It means so much to me to get your feedback. 🙂
Natalie says
The fishy facts are scary! And people wonder why cancer rates are going up...pretty obvious to me. I love your imposter sandwich, so much more bright and healthy. And not chickpea based like most! I've been curious to try hearts of palm for a while now but never knew how to prepare or eat them. Great idea using them in here! And i love all the colorful mix-ins too 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Right?! It's so scary. I feel so much better now that I'm not consuming animal products, both physically and spiritually. Definitely try hearts of palm! I eat them straight out of the jar like you'd eat pickles. 🙂
judy@ImBoredLetsGo says
Looks and sounds delicious Linda...think I'll give this a try!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Judy! Let me know what you think.
Christine | Vermilion Roots says
What a great idea. Love it! Do you think it will work with chickpeas? 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Hi Christine! I make an "egg" salad with chickpeas so I'm sure it would work with this recipe. Give it a try and let me know how you liked it.
Jenn says
This looks great! I love easy sandwiches like this. I actually have a jar of hearts of palm on my counter right now. I was planning to make a salad with it this afternoon, but you may have just changed my mind. 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Jenn! Let me know what you think. 🙂
J L Gulliver says
Going to use this one. It's different than my usual faux tuna salad; which, BTW I hardly ever make the same way twice. Ever tried a bit of chopped radish in your tuna salad? It's a wonderful addition.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, I hope you like it. Radish is so good in salads, I love the peppery flavor, I'll definitely try that next time. Let me know what you think of this version of "tuna" salad. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
Delicious! I love making "tuna" sammies and wraps! So good <3 Ah and I was just enjoying a new hearts of palm recipe yesterday, I always forget how much I love them!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Rebecca! I love hearts of palm, the rest of the jar was gone by the evening. I eat them like pickles. I'm looking forward to seeing your recipe. 🙂
Patti says
I love this idea. I am having a love affair with beans, but I was wondering if you used canned hearts of palm or fresh. If you used fresh, do you use it raw? I've never used heart of palm, but I really want to try this recipe.
Linda Meyer says
Hi Patty! I used jar palm hearts packed in water. You can find them in the pickle and olive section of your local grocery store. They come in cans but I buy jarred when I can. Just take them out of the jar/can and chop. They're great in salads or just as they are for a snack. Let me know what you think. 🙂
Patti says
This recipe was really good. I'm planning on doing a bean recipe round up in either July or August and was wondering if I can use a photo and link back to this site to share this recipe.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Patti! Of course, as long as you don't share the actual recipe and you clearly link to my site (like you said 🙂 ) I'm looking forward to seeing your roundup.
Jennifer says
Hi Linda. We have allergy issues at our house. For someone who cannot do palm hearts, what do you recommend to use as a sub? Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Jennifer! Here's another "tuna" recipe that we created. I hope this will work for you. Let me know if you have any questions. https://www.veganosity.com/jackfruit-tuna-less-salad/