If you're looking for a quick, pantry-friendly lunch that delivers big flavor, this vegan chickpea "egg" salad sandwich is it. It has everything you love about classic egg salad: creamy texture, bright herbs, a little tang from mustard and lemon, but it's completely egg-free.
Mashed chickpeas create that hearty, slightly chunky texture that egg salad is known for. Then everything gets mixed with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, red onion, fresh chives, dill, salt and pepper for tons of flavor in every bite.
If you want that classic egg-salad look, you can add a tiny sprinkle of turmeric for color. Totally optional, but it gives it that familiar golden hue.
This is one of those recipes that's endlessly adaptable. Egg salad tends to be very personal, as it seems everyone has their favorite version. At a minimum, I recommend chickpeas, chives, salt and pepper. I personally love adding fresh dill because it gives the salad that herby flavor that really reminds me of traditional egg salad.
The recipe calls for a small amount of vegan mayo, but it's optional. I like the extra creaminess it adds, but you can absolutely swap it for a creamy avocado and keep the recipe completely mayo-free.
Feel free to make it your own. If you like a little briny flavor, a few chopped capers would be great here. If you prefer a simpler version, keep it classic with the herbs and lemon.
Why Chickpeas Work So Well Here
Chickpeas are one of my favorite pantry staples for quick lunches. They're affordable, versatile and incredibly satisfying.
As a legume, chickpeas provide plant-based protein, fiber and complex carbohydrates, which help keep you full and energized longer. They're also a great source of folate and other important nutrients, while naturally being low in fat and cholesterol-free.
Whenever I add chickpeas to a meal, it instantly becomes more filling without feeling heavy.
Let's Make It
This vegan chickpea "egg" salad sandwich is one of those recipes you'll come back to again and again when you need an easy, nourishing lunch made from simple pantry ingredients.
Pile it onto toasted bread, stuff it into a wrap, or scoop it up with crackers. It works for all of it. Now let's get mashing and mixing.
Vegan Chickpea Avocado "Egg" Salad Sandwich
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2-3 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
If you’re looking for a quick, pantry-friendly lunch that delivers big flavor, this chickpea “egg” salad sandwich is it. It has everything you love about classic egg salad: creamy texture, bright herbs, a little tang from mustard and lemon, but it’s completely vegan and egg-free.
Ingredients
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans or 1.5 cups cooked garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed and dried
- ¼ cup vegan mayo (or sub 1 avocado, mashed)
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
- 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ teaspoon fine salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground turmeric (optional for color)
Instructions
- Add garbanzo beans to a medium sized mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork until only a few chunks remain for texture. I like it super creamy so I tend to mash it pretty well.
- In a separate bowl, mash the avocado with a fork until smooth and creamy. Add the avocado to the garbanzo beans. Add the remaining ingredients to the mashed chickpea avocado mixture and stir everything well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste. You may want to add more dill or chives.
- Place this vegan egg salad on sandwich bread and add desired toppings. I like to add tomato, lettuce and thinly sliced radishes. You may also want to add avocado slices, micro-greens, sprouts or more fresh herbs.
- Store leftover egg salad in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to three days. Pair with bread just before serving so the bread does not get soggy.
Notes
Chill the can of garbanzo beans and avocado in advance if you want to enjoy the "egg" salad cold immediately after making it.
Serving the "egg" salad on toasted bread is also delicious.
If you cannot have bread you can enjoy the "egg" salad alone, on an actual salad or in lettuce wraps. I also like it in almond flour tortillas.
Some vegan egg salad recipes also recommend adding capers. The capers add a subtle briny flavor that you may desire in egg salad. For me, I like it without the capers but it might be worth experimenting once to see if it suits you.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Hand stirring





Heidi S says
We made this for my daughter who loves egg salad, but cannot have eggs. It was a huge hit. The whole family loved it. Thanks for another great recipe!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Heidi! That makes me SO happy to hear! I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Best, Elaine