The Protein-Rich Ingredient You Should Add To Tuna Salad

Meals that are cost-effective, nutritious, and easy to make don't always draw rave reviews from the kids' table. But as we get older, we realize just how much potential tuna salad has as a nutritious, delicious meal that can be ready to eat fast. Take a look at our tuna lettuce wraps if you're a skeptic. Flavorful and crunchy celery, pickle relish, red onion, and capers pack all kinds of interest into a low-carb, high-protein meal.

On your quest to kick up the flavor of your tuna salad, don't ignore your spice cabinet. We've assembled a list of herbs and spices that will take your tuna salad up a notch to turn your boring, everyday lunch into a delightful flavor experience. Once you've bid goodbye to humdrum, bland tuna salad, you may want to up your tuna game a little more. Is there a secret ingredient that can pack in even more protein, along with a delightful crunch and healthy fiber?

According to the USDA's FoodData Central, one cup of chickpeas contains 14.5 grams of protein, and they're also a good source of fiber, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. What are the best ways to combine the lean protein of tuna with chickpeas to create a powerhouse tuna salad? Better Homes and Gardens offers up a simple salad recipe that combines canned chickpeas and tuna, along with fragrant spices, green onions, and roasted red peppers.

While canned chickpeas give you great nutritional benefits, our favorite way to use them in tuna salad is to toast them up for added crunch. Bon Appetit's tuna salad recipe builds in satisfying crunch from both toasted chickpeas and endive. And if you're feeling even more adventurous, try this exotic spice combination of maple and za'atar crispy chickpeas that are delicious as a snack and also as a topping for your favorite tuna salad recipe. One tip: Make sure you sprinkle your crispy chickpeas right before serving your tuna salad so they don't get soggy.