Healthy Chickpea Salad
A new year and a craving for some healthier food like this vegan Chickpea Salad! You’ll love this simple recipe with its vibrant flavors – which are made by using mostly fresh ingredients. No cooking required here so it’s perfect for when you need a fast side dish. You can have this ready in 10 minutes! It’s also very versatile too based on what you have on hand. And you can even include tuna or salmon to make it a heartier main dish. I’ve listed some ideas below for other things you can include here. It’s a refreshing recipe that won’t weigh you down and you can feel great about eating!
Chickpea Salad Recipe Ingredients
Canned chickpeas: “Chickpeas” and “garbanzo beans” are the same thing, look for either labeling. Drain and rinse to remove liquid and excess salt. Cucumber: I prefer to use English cucumber. I think they taste best, they are less watery and they have a thinner, non-waxy skin that doesn’t need to be peeled. But regular garden cucumbers work fine, just peel first. Roma tomatoes: Vine ripened or grape tomatoes will work great here too. Red onion: You can adjust this amount to taste since the flavor can be pretty bold. To reduce some of that harsh bite you can rinse and drain before adding. Parsley: You can include other herbs here along with the parsley such as basil, mint or cilantro. Though if using mint or cilantro omit the Italian seasoning. Extra-virgin olive oil: Use a good quality oil for best flavor. Lemon juice: Stick to fresh lemon juice, the bottled doesn’t taste near as good. Garlic: Preferably use fresh garlic for fresher taste. Italian seasoning: If you don’t have this blend on hand just use 1/2 tsp basil and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Salt and pepper: Season to taste.
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How to Make Chickpea Salad
Tip: Work to cut ingredients evenly in size for a uniform salad.
How to Store
Keep it stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container Don’t let it sit at room temperature very long because it is best served well chilled.
How long does it keep?
It is best the day it is prepared as the salt and dressing will draw moisture from the vegetables but it will still taste good for 2 days.
Do canned chickpeas need to be cooked?
No canned chickpeas are already pre-cooked so no cooking is required. They are a great time saver!
Can I use dried chickpeas?
Yes. If you have dried chickpeas on hand and are looking to use them up, here is a helpful guide on how to cook them. You’ll need about 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas when recipe calls for one (15 oz) can.
Variations
Here you can include other ingredients you may have hand such as:
Avocado Bell pepper Canned artichoke hearts Feta cheese Kalamata or black olives Quinoa (prepared) Tuna or salmon (cooked and flaked, or canned) Various herbs
Serving Suggestions for Pairing
Baked Chicken Thighs or grilled chicken Fried Shrimp Turkey Burgers Salmon Patties
More Refreshing Salads You’ll Love
Avocado Salad Black Bean and Corn Salad Broccoli Salad Cucumber Salad Greek Salad
