Chickpea Tuna Salad

(14)

This chickpea tuna salad with capers, feta and cucumber makes for the perfect lunch to pack for work or school. You can prep the salad the night before (just be sure to keep the spinach separate and dress the salad right before serving).

Chickpea Tuna Salad
Credit: Photography / Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling / Ruth Blackburn
  • The mix of chickpeas, tuna and feta offers a satisfying high-protein meal.
  • Cucumber and cherry tomatoes contribute fiber and a refreshing crunch.
  • Lemon juice and capers add zesty, tangy flavors.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon nonpareil capers, rinsed and chopped

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed

  • 1 (6.7-ounce) jar oil-packed tuna, drained

  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

  • 1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber

  • ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 3 cups baby spinach

Directions

  1. Combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice, the chopped capers, chopped shallot, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a large bowl; stir. Let stand for 5 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, in another large bowl, toss together the rinsed chickpeas, drained tuna, 1 cup tomatoes, the sliced cucumber, ½ cup feta and 2 tablespoons dill.

  3. Whisk 2 tablespoons oil into the lemon juice mixture until fully incorporated. Spoon about 4 tablespoons of the dressing into the chickpea mixture; toss to coat.

  4. Add 3 cups spinach to the remaining 1 tablespoon dressing in the large bowl; toss to coat. Divide the spinach among 4 plates; top each plate with 1¼ cups chickpea mixture.

To make ahead

Prepare through Step 3 and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 day.

Recipe Updates

Based on earlier review and comments of this recipe, we’ve retested and made the following adjustments (and updated the nutritional analysis accordingly):

  • Reduced olive oil by 1 tablespoon (to reduce the amount of dressing).

Updated September 2025

EatingWell.com, November 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

326 Calories
20g Fat
22g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 2 cups
Calories 326
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 19g 37%
Total Fat 20g 25%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Vitamin A 156µg
Vitamin C 14mg 16%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 3mg 19%
Folate 167µg
Vitamin K 132µg
Sodium 512mg 22%
Calcium 165mg 13%
Iron 4mg 20%
Magnesium 71mg 17%
Potassium 548mg 12%
Zinc 2mg 19%
Vitamin B12 2µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.