Chickpea Salad Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published January 5, 2021. Updated January 12, 2021

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Chickpea Saladfull of Mediterranean flavors that’s super fresh, and quick and easy to prepare. It makes for the perfect healthy lunch entree or a dinner side dish.

Chickpea Salad Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

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 - Cooking Classy (2)

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.

Scroll down for full recipe with print option.
Chickpea Salad Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

How to Make Chickpea Salad

  1. Add chickpeas and veggies to bowl: Add chick peas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and parsley to a bowl.
  2. Prepare dressing: Measure out olive oil into a liquid measuring cup, pour in lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Combine two mixtures: Pour dressing over mixture in bowl. Toss to evenly coat, season with more salt to taste if needed. Serve within an hour for best results.

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.

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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

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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

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Chickpea Salad Recipe - Cooking Classy (6)

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Chickpea Salad

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A super fresh, quick and easy to prepare salad that makes the perfect healthy lunch entree, or a dinner side dish.

Servings: 4

Prep10 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion and parsley to a bowl.

  • Measure out olive oil into a liquid measuring cup, pour in lemon juice, garlic, Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • Pour dressing over mixture in bowl. Toss to evenly coat, season with more salt to taste if needed. Salad will taste good for a few days but texturally it's best eaten within a few hours.

Notes

  • Garden cucumbers can be substituted just peel first.
  • Grape tomatoes will work in place of Roma tomatoes (use 1.5 cups).
  • Red wine or white wine vinegar can be substituted for lemon juice.

You could also add one of these options:

  • 1/3 cup feta
  • 1 (5 oz) can tuna in water, well drained
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
  • 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata or black olives

Nutrition Facts

Chickpea Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 256Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Sodium 263mg11%

Potassium 578mg17%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 1690IU34%

Vitamin C 32mg39%

Calcium 86mg9%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keyword: Chick Pea Salad

Author: Jaclyn

Chickpea Salad Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What makes chickpeas taste better? ›

Personally, I love mine sauteed for 15 to 20 minutes on the stovetop in a drizzle of olive oil on a medium heat, topped with Himalayan pink salt, pepper, dried rosemary, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes. I'm also down for switching up the spices some nights and eating sauteed chickpeas with sage and marjoram.

What is the best time to eat chickpea salad? ›

Lunch: Chickpeas make a great addition to salads, wraps, and sandwiches for lunch. They add texture and flavor while boosting the nutritional content of your mea.

Can you eat chickpeas straight from the can to a salad? ›

Yes, they are cooked. Most people know this, but a certain someone in my life (okay, fine…it was my sister…she never cooks) once asked me if she had to cook canned chickpeas. You don't. Which means you can eat them straight out of the can, but there are so many ways to jazz them up (keep reading!).

What does soaking chickpeas in baking soda do? ›

By adding baking soda, you are increasing the pH of the water and making it more alkaline. This helps break down the pectin in the chickpeas which softens their skins better and faster. This is especially important when you are making hummus and want the creamiest consistency possible.

What's the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans? ›

The honest answer—there's no difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans. They're just two (of many) different names for the same type of pulse. (Pulses are basically seeds of legume plants.) The word chickpea doesn't come from chickens at all—it's an evolution of the plant's Latin name, cicer arietinum.

What is the healthiest way to eat chickpeas? ›

Chickpeas are found in many cuisines. Stir them into soups, stews and pasta dishes, toss in salads or puree for a healthy appetizer.

Can I eat chickpea salad every day? ›

Up to 1/4 cup of chickpeas daily is allowed on a low FODMAP diet for digestive issues. Gradually add chickpeas and other legumes to your diet to allow your body to adjust. Over time, you will better tolerate them.

Can I eat chickpea salad at night for weight loss? ›

Can I eat Chickpeas at night? Yes, it is ok to eat Chickpeas at night, in fact, they can be eaten at any time of day. Chickpeas are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium and a constituent (tryptophan) which helps in getting a healthy and sound sleep[6].

Is it OK to eat chickpeas empty stomach? ›

Soaked chickpeas on an empty stomach in morning will protect from obesity, diabetes and other diseases. Chana is very beneficial for health. It has been revealed in many researches that if you consume a handful of chickpeas every day, then all small and serious diseases related to the body will be removed forever.

Should you drain canned chickpeas? ›

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener.

Do chickpeas good for the kidneys? ›

Chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamins, such as folate, vitamin B6, and iron. This makes them a great addition to a wide range of eating patterns, including a kidney-friendly diet.

How do you remove toxins from chickpeas? ›

Boiling beans

The good news is that the toxin can be deactivated by simply boiling the raw beans for ten minutes. This temperature degrades the toxin without cooking the beans. The FDA also recommends soaking the beans for five hours to remove any residual toxins and then tossing the water out.

Why did my chickpeas turn black? ›

Baking soda will react with the aluminum and cause your chickpeas to turn a dark/black color.

What happens if you don't soak chickpeas? ›

It can take up to twice the time if you don't soak them first. Also, soaking may help remove some of the phytic acid found in dry beans, making them easier to digest. Soaked beans also tend to plump up without splitting as they cook.

How to get chickpeas to absorb flavor? ›

Dried chickpeas will absorb marinade flavors better than canned, though both will work. To cook chickpeas from dry, soak dry chickpeas in lightly salted water overnight at room temperature (leave enough room to allow them to double in volume).

How do you add Flavour to canned chickpeas? ›

To do this, I drain and rinse a can of chickpeas, then toss them with oil, salt, pepper, and any spices that I'm feeling. (I typically go with garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika, but anything will work.)

What is the best pairing for chickpeas? ›

Bacon, buffalo mozzarella, bulgur, butter, chocolate, curry, feta cheese, fish, goat cheese, gruyere, honey, mustard, pasta, pork, prosciutto.

Are chickpeas better in a can or dried? ›

Canned chickpeas are ready to eat at a moments notice. This makes them useful solutions for a quick meal. Dried chickpeas have the advantage of being very inexpensive, and giving the cook more control to choose their desired texture and to add their own seasonings. Both options can lead to amazing meals.

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