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Chickpea Salad Recipe

4.4 from 54 reviews

A vibrant and nutritious Chickpea Salad packed with fresh vegetables and a zesty tahini dressing, perfect as a light meal or a hearty side dish. This salad combines crunchy carrots, sweet red bell peppers, and crisp cabbage with protein-rich chickpeas, all tossed in a flavorful, tangy dressing and garnished with peanuts, cilantro, and sesame seeds for an added texture and freshness.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ½ cup shredded carrots
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp chopped green onions

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tsp honey
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced

Garnishes

  • 1 tbsp chopped peanuts
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ½ tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare Chickpeas: Start by draining and rinsing the chickpeas in a colander, then allow them to drain thoroughly while prepping the other ingredients to remove any excess liquid for a fresh salad base.
  2. Combine Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, add the chickpeas, shredded carrots, diced red bell pepper, thinly sliced red cabbage, and chopped green onions. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients evenly without mashing the chickpeas.
  3. Make Dressing: In a smaller bowl, whisk together the tahini, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, red pepper flakes, sesame oil, and minced garlic until the dressing is smooth and well blended for a creamy and flavorful coating.
  4. Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and use a spatula or large spoon to toss gently, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing for consistent flavor throughout.
  5. Prepare Garnishes: Chop the peanuts and fresh cilantro finely, and measure out the sesame seeds to prepare for garnishing the salad.
  6. Serve: Transfer the tossed salad to a serving dish, then sprinkle the chopped peanuts, cilantro, and sesame seeds evenly on top to add texture and a burst of flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh crunch and tangy taste.

Notes

  • The salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to one day in an airtight container.
  • For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
  • Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes for desired spice level.
  • Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
  • Chopping peanuts finely prevents overpowering crunch and makes the garnish more enjoyable.

Keywords: chickpea salad, vegan salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy salad, protein-rich salad, tahini dressing, crunchy vegetable salad