This quick and easy chickpea salad recipe can be eaten on its own, as a side dish or use as a wrap filling. Versatile and convenient, this is a healthy budget-friendly dish that everyone will love.
The Ultimate Chickpea Salad
This chickpea salad is one of my staple dishes, especially when I’m looking for a quick and healthy option. It’s versatile and full of flavour, making it a perfect choice for a light lunch, a side dish, or even as a filling for wraps. Whenever I crave something that’s both nourishing and satisfying, this salad never disappoints.
This Mediterranean-inspired dish is not just a treat for your taste buds but also a powerhouse of nutrition. Perfect for health-conscious food lovers, this chickpea salad offers a satisfying blend of protein-rich legumes, crisp vegetables, and zesty herbs. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a crowd-pleasing picnic dish, or a versatile side for your summer barbecue, this chickpea salad is perfect for every occasion.
It is a great recipe to add to your meal prep rotation and a tasty addition to lunch boxes.
It can be eaten on its own or as a side dish to my paneer kebabs. For something a bit more substantial, I use it as a wrap filling.
This chickpea salad is packed with protein thanks to the chickpeas, making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans or anyone who simply wants to add more plant-based meals to their diet. It’s especially convenient when you’re short on time, as it comes together in a matter of minutes.
Whether you’re enjoying it on its own, pairing it with a main course, or getting creative with wraps, this chickpea salad is sure to become a favourite in your kitchen. So next time you are looking for a quick and healthy dish, give this recipe a try!
Chickpea Salad Dressing
The dressing is a simple mixture of fresh lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil which gives it a bright and zesty flavour. Ground cumin adds some warm and earthy notes.
Storing This Chickpea Salad
This chickpea salad will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 – 4 days. Avoid freezing as the fresh vegetables may become soggy when thawed.
If meal prepping, you can store the dressing separately to keep the vegetables crisp until you’re ready to eat.
Serving Suggestions
- As a main dish: Served alongside wholegrains, mixed greens, pita bread, naan, or toasted sourdough.
- As a side dish: For grilled vegetables (courgette, aubergine, or peppers), Soup, Roasted sweet potatoes or butternut squash, or crudités.
- In sandwiches or wraps: Stuffed into a wholemeal pita, tortilla, or lettuce wrap for a light lunch, as a filling for a grilled panini, or a chickpea salad melt by adding cheese and toasting in a sandwich press.
3 Must-Try Chickpea Salad Recipes
- Moroccan Chickpea Salad with Carrots
- Carrot & Chickpea Salad with Toasted Coconut
- Chickpea Salad Sandwich
If you are exploring plant-based eating or simply looking for a healthy alternative to the classic tuna salad sandwich, my vegan chickpea tuna salad recipe is a must-try. It’s a clever take on the traditional sandwich filling, using mashed chickpeas as a substitute for tuna. With a few carefully chosen ingredients like capers, finely chopped red onion, and a touch of vegan mayonnaise, it delivers that familiar savoury taste without any fish. It’s brilliant on a slice of wholemeal bread, tucked into a baguette, or even served with crackers for a light snack.
In the spring and early summer, I also like making my grilled asparagus salad or my asparagus bruschetta.
In this post
A Nutritional Powerhouse
This chickpea salad isn’t just delicious; it’s a nutritional powerhouse. Here’s why it deserves a regular spot in your meal plan:
- Protein-Packed: Chickpeas are an excellent source of plant-based protein.
- Fiber-Rich: The high fiber content in chickpeas aids digestion and helps maintain a healthy gut.
- Heart-Healthy Fats: Olive oil provide monounsaturated fats that support cardiovascular health.
- Vitamin Boost: Fresh vegetables and herbs offer a range of vitamins and antioxidants.
- Mineral-Dense: Chickpeas are rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium, essential for various bodily functions.
How To Make This Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
To make this chickpea salad, you will need:
- canned chickpeas
- baby plum tomatoes
- cucumber
- yellow pepper
- red onion
- coriander
- mint
- parsley
DRESSING
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- garlic clove
- cumin
- salt & pepper
- dash of maple syrup (optional)
- chilli flakes to taste (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the chickpeas
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and place them in a salad bowl. For ease, I use canned chickpeas but if you cook your own from scratch, simply use 240g of drained chickpeas.
Step 2: Prepare the vegetables
The vegetables are cut into small dice which is probably the most time-consuming part of this recipe.
I am using tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and yellow pepper. Depending on what you have in your fridge. you can mix and match. Avocadoes and corn work perfectly too. Add the vegetables to the chickpeas.
Step 3: Chop the herbs
For herbs, I add finely chopped coriander, parsley and mint in equal measures of two tablespoons each. Again this is interchangeable, as long as you have around six tablespoons of finely chopped herbs. Add the herbs to the rest of the ingredients.
Step 4: Make the dressing
To make the dressing, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic and ground cumin together in a small mixing bowl. Toss the chickpea salad in the dressing.
The seasoning is left to the end with salt, pepper as well as optional chilli flakes and maple syrup. The chilli flakes and maple syrup are definitely a matter of personal taste. I like a little spicy kick and if the lemon juice is slightly too bitter, then the maple syrup does balance it out. Over to you to decide what works best for you!
Chickpea Salad Variations
One of the best things about this chickpea salad is its versatility. Here are some delicious ways to customise it:
Vegetable Additions:
- Roasted red peppers for a smoky flavor
- Blanched green beans
- Creamy avocado chunks for richness
Protein Boost:
- Add grilled tofu or tempeh
- Toss with quinoa or brown rice
Flavour Twists:
- Sprinkle with za’atar for a Middle Eastern flair
- Add sun-dried tomatoes for intense tomato flavor
- Mix in pesto for an Italian-inspired version
Frequently Asked Questions About This Chickpea Salad
You can store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Keep in mind that the vegetables may become softer as they marinate in the dressing over time.
Absolutely! This chickpea salad is highly customisable. You can adjust the ingredients and seasonings to suit your preferences. Add other vegetables, nuts, seeds, or dried fruits for variety.
This dish can be served as either a main dish or a side dish. It’s hearty enough to stand alone as a meal when you add protein and can also complement other dishes as a side salad.
I hope you enjoy this chickpea salad recipe as much as we do. If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram!
This post was originally published in January 2022 and updated in January 2025.
Chickpea Salad Recipe
Equipment
Disclaimer: the equipment list above includes affiliate links to products I use and like.
Ingredients
- 400 g can chickpeas
- 125 g baby plum tomatoes
- 125 g cucumber
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 small red onion
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped coriander
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped mint
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
DRESSING
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 large garlic clove (grated)
- ¾ tsp cumin
- salt & pepper
- dash of maple syrup (optional)
- chilli flakes to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Place them in a salad bowl.400 g can chickpeas
- Cut the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, and red onion into small dice.125 g baby plum tomatoes, 125 g cucumber, 1 yellow pepper, 1 small red onion
- Chop the herbs finely.2 Tbsp finely chopped coriander, 2 Tbsp finely chopped mint, 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
- Put all the ingredients in the salad bowl with the chickpeas.
- Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, grated garlic, and ground cumin together in a small mixing bowl.3 Tbsp olive oil, 1.5 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 large garlic clove (grated), ¾ tsp cumin
- Toss the dressing with the rest of the ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add a dash of maple syrup and some chilli flakes if desired.salt & pepper, dash of maple syrup (optional), chilli flakes to taste (optional)
Nutrition
Find this recipe online:
https://theflexitarian.co.uk/recipe-items/chickpea-salad/
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