Easy Vegan “Tuna” Melt

Name: Easy Vegan “Tuna” Melt
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 (Sandwiches)
Ingredients: 1 batch Easy Vegan Cheddar Cheese; 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, thoroughly rinsed and drained; 2 Tbsp vegan mayonnaise; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1/8 tsp each Sea salt and black pepper; 1-2 Tbsp finely chopped shallot; 2 Tbsp finely chopped dill pickles; 8 slices of bread; 4 Tbsp vegan butter

User Reviews

5.0

51 reviews

Excellent

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings
4 (Sandwiches)
Calories
513 kcal
Course
Main Course, Lunch
Cuisine
International

Easy Vegan “Tuna” Melt

Valerie Marks

Report

A savory, cheesy Vegan “Tuna” Melt made with smashed chickpeas! The perfect quick lunch companion for soups and salads. Just 30 minutes and 9 ingredients required!

Share:

I Made This!

38 people made this

Print

10 people printed this

Save this

30 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

1 batch Easy Vegan Cheddar Cheese (or sub 4-8 slices store-bought vegan cheese — we like Chao)
1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, thoroughly rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp vegan mayonnaise (for store-bought, we like Follow Your Heart Vegenaise)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp each Sea salt and black pepper
1-2 Tbsp finely chopped shallot (or sub red onion)
2 Tbsp finely chopped dill pickles
8 slices of bread (any style of bread will work, including gluten-free // we used average-size sandwich bread)
4 Tbsp vegan butter (for buttering bread // we like Miyokos)

Add to Shopping List

Instructions

If you want to use the Easy Vegan Cheddar Cheese and haven’t already made it, start making it now. Then it’s sandwich time!
Thoroughly rinse and drain your chickpeas and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess liquid. Place the chickpeas in a medium mixing bowl and use a potato masher or fork to mash them until no large pieces of chickpeas remain but before it becomes too smooth or pasty — you want some texture.
To the chickpeas, add the vegan mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper, shallot, and pickles, and mix thoroughly. Taste and adjust, adding more mayonnaise for creaminess, dijon for brightness, or black pepper for a kick.
Heat a medium cast iron or non-stick skillet over medium heat.
In the meantime, butter one side of each slice of bread. Once the skillet is hot, place a slice of bread butter side down in the pan, then carefully spread a semi-thick layer (3-4 Tbsp) of vegan cheddar cheese on the bread (or place a slice or two of cheese down if using store bought). Top the cheese with a heaping 1/3 cup of the vegan “tuna,” spreading it out evenly with a fork. Place another slice of bread, butter side up, on top of the “tuna.”
Cook the sandwich over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, peeking at the underside of the bread to see if it’s getting nicely toasty. Once the bottom slice of bread is golden, flip! Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until both sides are nice and golden brown and crispy and the cheese appears melty and gooey (covering the pan can help melt the cheese; lower the heat as needed if browning too quickly).
Repeat with remaining bread, cheese, and “tuna.” Then enjoy! These sandwiches pair beautifully with soup or salads.
Best when fresh. Chickpea “tuna” can be made ahead and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Not freezer friendly.

Notes

*Prep time does not include making Easy Vegan Cheddar Cheese.*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with 4 slices of Chao store-bought vegan cheese slices and Dave’s Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains Bread.

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Serving 1sandwich Calories 513 (26%) Carbohydrates 61.4g (20%) Protein 14.1g (28%) Fat 24.7g (38%) Saturated Fat 12.4g (62%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.57g Monounsaturated Fat 0.32g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 864mg (36%) Potassium 310mg (9%) Fiber 13.8g (55%) Sugar 12.5g (25%) Vitamin A 30IU (1%) Vitamin C 0.4mg (0%) Calcium 70mg (7%) Iron 3.5mg (19%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4(Sandwiches)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 513 kcal

% Daily Value*

Serving	1sandwich
Calories	513	26%
Carbohydrates	61.4g	20%
Protein	14.1g	28%
Fat	24.7g	38%
Saturated Fat	12.4g	62%
Polyunsaturated Fat	0.57g	3%
Monounsaturated Fat	0.32g	2%
Trans Fat	0g	0%
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	864mg	36%
Potassium	310mg	7%
Fiber	13.8g	55%
Sugar	12.5g	25%
Vitamin A	30IU	1%
Vitamin C	0.4mg	0%
Calcium	70mg	7%
Iron	3.5mg	19%