Vegan Tuna Melt
You’ll be amazed at how close this Vegan Tuna Melt is to the real deal! The combination of lupini beans and chopped capers perfectly mimics a fish-like texture, while lemon juice and sriracha add just the right amount of zing. This is the perfect summer lunch, poolside snack, or meal prep for the week plus it has 34g of protein per serve!
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Why You’ll Love This Vegan Tuna Melt
High in Protein – Lupini beans have much lower carbs and higher protein content (almost double) than chickpeas, which makes this vegan tuna sandwich even more nutritious than my chickpea tuna melt.
Classic Tuna Melt Flavors – Craving all the savoury flavours of classic tuna melt without falling for dairy or meat? The lupini beans have a sweet, nutty flavour with a silky, firm texture that perfectly replicates the tuna texture. The tangy pickles, zesty capers, and sriracha kick add layers of flavour, while the nori sheets give it that authentic “from the sea” taste. With vegan mayo adding a cheesy element to this plant-based snack, no one will miss meat or dairy.
So Versatile – The versatility of the Lupini bean mixture stretches far beyond making a stellar tuna melt sandwich. It doubles as a vegan tuna salad, perfect for scooping onto a bed of greens or adding to grain bowls with a delicious dressing. It also pairs well with roasted potatoes and veggies for a complete meal or serves as a savoury dip for your favourite crackers.
Meal Prep Friendly – You can make the vegan tuna mixture up to two days ahead and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches, spread it on the bread and proceed with pan-frying.
Portable, On-the-Go Snack – Busy mornings call for quick and easy meals, and this vegan tuna melt fits the bill perfectly. The preparation is simple, and the sandwich’s portability makes it an ideal grab-and-go vegan snack. Whether heading to work or packing your kid’s lunch, this healthy tuna melt sandwich is a convenient option that travels well and tastes fantastic.
How to Make Vegan Tuna Melt
Prepare the Vegan Tuna
Strain and rinse your Lupini beans, then add them to a high-speed blender or food processor.
Blend the Ingredients
Add in the rest of the ingredients (pickles, red onion, capers, sriracha, vegan mayo, lemon juice, and nori sheets) and blend until smooth.
Assemble the Sandwich
Spread your Lupini Bean tuna on slices of bread, add vegan cheese, and close the sandwich with another slice of bread.
Pan Fry
Pan fry the sandwich until golden on both sides.
Add Fresh Ingredients
Open the sandwich and add sliced tomatoes and mixed greens.
Serve and Enjoy!
Serve vegan tuna melt with roasted potatoes, and enjoy!
Vegan Tuna Melt Recipe Tips
Adjust the Texture: If you prefer a chunkier texture, pulse the ingredients in the blender rather than blending them completely smooth. This will give your vegan tuna a more traditional tuna salad feel.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice enhances the flavour of the vegan tuna mixture, adding brightness and a touch of acidity that complements the other ingredients.
Choose the Right Bread: For the best results, use sturdy bread like sourdough that can hold up to pan-frying without becoming too soggy.
Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other ingredients like diced celery, grated carrots, or even a dash of smoked paprika for additional flavour.
Can’t find lupini beans? Use chickpeas instead! It will not have as much protein but will taste just as good.
More Vegan Recipes You’ll Love
Viral Chopped Italian Sandwich
High Protein Jennifer Aniston Salad
Green Pea Pesto Orzo Salad (100g protein)
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Vegan Tuna Melt
Ingredients
- 1 can Lupini Beans strained and rinsed
- ½ cup Pickles chopped
- ½ Small Red Onion diced
- 1 tbsp Capers chopped
- 2 tsp Sriracha
- 2 tbsp Vegan Mayo
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 3 sheets Nori
For Assembly
- 4 slices Sourdough Bread
- 2 slices Vegan Cheese
- 1 tomato
- 3 cups mixed greens
Instructions
- Strain and rinse your lupini beans then add them to a high speed blender or food processor.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients then blend until smooth.
- Assemble your lupini bean tuna melt with some bread, vegan cheese and your lupini bean tuna.
- Pan Fry until golden on both sides.
- Add sliced tomatoes and mixed greens and enjoy!