Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad: 10 Irresistible Wins

Name: Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1/4 tsp kosher salt; 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper; A few dashes hot sauce (optional); 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 1 can (5 oz) tuna packed in water, drained well; 3 tbsp celery, finely chopped; 2 tbsp red onion, minced; 1 tbsp capers, drained; 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been hunting for a lunch that feels light but keeps you full (aka the unicorn of midday meals), Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad is about to become your new best friend. It’s creamy without being heavy, bright from lemon, punchy from Dijon, and packed with crunch—basically the kind of salad that makes you forget you ever settled for a sad desk sandwich.

And the best part? This is the kind of recipe you can whip up even when your day is chaos and your kitchen energy is… somewhere between “meh” and “don’t talk to me until coffee.”

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad

Let me count the ways (because yes, I’m that chef who gets excited about chickpeas):

Fast: You’re about 10 minutes away from lunch glory.
Protein-packed: Tuna + chickpeas = “I’m not hungry an hour later” energy.
Meal-prep friendly: Tastes even better after it sits for a bit.

Crunch factor: Celery and red onion bring that satisfying bite.
Bright & zesty: Lemon + Dijon = instant wake-up call for your taste buds.
Flexible: Sandwich, wrap, salad bowl, crackers… it shows up wherever you need it.

No cooking: Your stove doesn’t even have to know this happened.
Budget-friendly: Pantry staples doing what pantry staples do best.
Company-worthy: Capers and dill make it taste fancy (without the fancy effort).
Highly snackable: “Just one more bite” is basically guaranteed.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the dressing

1/4 tsp black pepper (freshly ground if possible)
2 tbsp mayonnaise (Hellmann’s is a great pick)
A few dashes hot sauce (optional, to taste)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp kosher salt

For the salad

1 tbsp capers, drained
1 can tuna, packed in water, drained well
2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp minced red onion
3 tbsp celery, finely chopped

How to Make Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad

Step 1: Prepare the dressing

In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using).

Whisk until smooth and creamy. You’re looking for a dressing that’s silky and well blended—no streaks, no drama.

Step 2: Prep the chickpeas

Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly, then pat them dry with a clean towel. (This is a small step that makes a big difference—less water = better flavor.)

If you want extra smoothness, you can peel off any loose skins. Totally optional, not required, and yes—I also sometimes skip it when life is happening.

Add chickpeas to a medium bowl.
Optional: Mash some chickpeas with a fork. This helps the salad bind together a bit more, giving you that perfect scoopable texture.

Step 3: Combine everything

To the bowl with chickpeas, add:

drained tuna
chopped celery
minced red onion
capers
fresh dill

Pour the dressing over the top and stir gently until everything is evenly coated. Try not to overmix—you want the tuna to stay pleasantly chunky, not turn into fish paste.

Step 4: Serve it up

Serve your Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad any way you like:

In a sandwich or wrap (hello, easy lunch)
Over arugula for a peppery salad bowl moment
With crackers for snacky, charcuterie-adjacent vibes

Chef Omar’s Tips (So It Tastes Like You Tried Hard)

Dry chickpeas = better salad. If they’re wet, the dressing gets diluted. Pat them like they owe you money.
Want it spicier? Hot sauce is great, but a pinch of crushed red pepper works too.
No dill? You can swap in parsley, or even a tiny bit of dried dill in a pinch (use less—dried herbs are bossy).

If your dressing looks “separated” at first… don’t panic. Whisk again. It’s not broken, it’s just being stubborn.
Prefer it less creamy? Reduce mayo to 1 tbsp and add another splash of lemon or olive oil.

A Quick Little Story From My Kitchen

I started making versions of this salad when I needed something that felt fresh but still ate like a meal. You know those days when you’re hungry, but you don’t want anything heavy—and also you don’t have time to cook because your schedule is doing backflips?

One afternoon, friends popped by unannounced (the classic “we were in the neighborhood!” move). I tossed together tuna, chickpeas, capers, and dill, and served it with crackers. Five minutes later, everyone was hovering over the bowl like it was the last snack on earth. That’s when I knew: this one’s a keeper.

Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad spooned from a bowl with cucumber, red onion, fresh dill, and a creamy lemon Dijon dressing. — Creamy Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad with crunchy cucumbers, dill, and a bright lemony finish—perfect for quick lunches and meal prep.

FAQs About Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad

Can I make this Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad ahead of time?

Yes! It’s great right away, but even better after 30–60 minutes in the fridge. The flavors mingle and get cozy.

How long does it last in the fridge?

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.

Can I swap the mayonnaise?

Absolutely. You can use Greek yogurt, avocado mayo, or a mayo-yogurt blend. The texture will change slightly, but it’ll still be delicious.

What can I use instead of capers?

Chopped green olives are a fantastic swap. They give a similar salty, briny punch.

Is this good for sandwiches?

So good. Pile it into toasted bread, a wrap, or lettuce cups. Add tomato or cucumber if you’re feeling extra.

Your Next Lunch Just Got a Glow-Up

If your usual lunch routine is feeling tired (same salad, same sandwich, same sigh), this Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad is the refreshing reset you’ve been craving. It’s quick, satisfying, and honestly a little addictive—like the kind of dish you “taste test” three times before it even makes it to a plate.

Make a batch, stash it in the fridge, and let Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad save your week—one bright, crunchy, creamy bite at a time.

Keep the Chickpea Love Going: 4 Tasty Next Clicks

If you’re craving another protein-packed, no-fuss lunch, try Sesame Chicken and Chickpea Salad for a fresh, crunchy twist—same quick-and-satisfying energy as this Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad.

Want a Mediterranean-style side that feels fancy but takes almost no effort? Pair your salad with Baba Ganoush—smoky, creamy, and dangerously snackable with crackers.
If you’re on a chickpea kick (welcome, we have snacks), don’t miss Chickpea Beet and Feta Salad—bright, colorful, and perfect when you want something fresh that still feels like a real meal.
Meal-prepping this week? Add a cozy option to your rotation with Garlic Chickpea Soup—warm, comforting, and weeknight-friendly.

Now your turn: If you made this Healthy Tuna Garbanzo Chickpea Salad, leave a quick review and choose your star rating: ⭐☆☆☆☆ to ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.