There is something so comforting about a classic tuna melt, but if you’re vegan or paleo – or better yet, pegan! – then you’re likely thinking your tuna melt days are over… well, not anymore! We’ve created a pegan-friendly tuna salad that is so delicious, your taste buds will think you’re eating the real thing. Luckily, there are a plethora of non-dairy alternatives at your grocery store – from cheeses, to sour creams, to milks and yogurts – so that topping the tuna with a gooey-melted vegan cheese is simple, easy and satisfying. You can use your favourite bread of choice, buy or make a paleo or keto bread, or skip that all together and opt for sweet potato “toast”.
Servings: 4 sandwiches
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus additional soaking time)
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Pegan “Tuna” Salad Sandwich
Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts (soaked for minimum 15 minutes up to overnight)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (soaked for minimum 15 minutes up to overnight)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (soaked for minimum 15 minutes up to overnight)
⅓ cup vegan mayo
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup celery, diced
¼ cup green onions, chopped finely
2 tsp dulse or kelp flakes
2 tsp fresh dill, chopped finely
1/2 lemon, juiced
½ tsp sea salt
4 slices or 1 cup vegan shredded cheese (like Daiya, Chao or Earth Island)
8 slices of your favourite bread or sweet potato “toast”
Directions:
1. Soak walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in water, then drain and rinse.
2. Pulse the walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in a food processor until smooth but partially crumbled (don’t over-blend into a paste).
3. Place the nut mixture into a bowl, stir in the mayo and, once combined, add in the rest of the ingredients.
4. Scoop the tuna onto the bread, layer with vegan cheese, then add the second slice of bread on top.
5. If you have a sandwich maker, oil it, then pop the sammie in there, close the lid and let it heat for about 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts.
6. Alternatively, place a skillet on medium-low heat, oil it, then add your sandwich and place a small lid over the sandwich to press it down. Let the sandwich heat for about 4 minutes, then flip it over for another few minutes until the cheese melts.
7. The paleo bread and sweet potato “toast” will be more delicate than the vegan one, so you may want to use the skillet method instead.
Craving more healthy midday meal inspiration? Try these 20 Healthy High-Protein Lunch Ideas to Bring to Work, plus a must-make Vegan Edamame Mash Sandwich!