This easy smashed chickpea salad is a hearty, healthy, inexpensive, and tasty plant-based alternative to tuna salad or egg salad for sandwiches, wraps, and crackers. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, and potlucks too! Plus it's ready in just 20 minutes!
In a large bowl, mash the garbanzo beans with a potato masher or fork.
Add the mayo, mustard, onion, celery, pickles, tomatoes (if using), lettuce (if using), salt, and pepper, and mix together thoroughly.
Add the chickpea mixture between two slices of bread to make a sandwich, repeat until all the bread is used and you have four sandwiches.
Notes
For softer chickpeas: You can simmer canned chickpeas for a short while (about 10 minutes) until they break down for a softer consistency.
Adjust the texture: How much you mash the chickpeas is up to you as long as it’s done enough to hold together. The amount of vegan mayo is also adjustable based on how dry vs. creamy you wish it to be.
If using dried chickpeas: Cook them until they are soft and start to fall apart. You may also need extra vegan mayo, as they tend to be drier.