Chickpea Salad is loaded with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado and feta cheese. The fresh lemon dressing adds the Mediterranean flavors of classic Greek Salad.
Chickpea salad is easy to make and comes together fast. It’s perfect for lunch since chickpeas are protein packed and leave you feeling satisfied for hours. We also love to serve garbanzo bean salad with roasted red potatoes and pork tenderloin for dinner.
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Chickpea Salad or Garbanzo Bean Salad?
Chickpeas are the same thing as garbanzo beans and can be used interchangeably in this recipe. They are known as chickpeas in the US and Garbanzo beans in Europe.
What are chickpeas? Chickpeas are peach colored round legumes or seed pods and part of the pea family. They have a satisfying nutty flavor. Use canned drained chickpeas or cook your own.
Are Chickpeas good for you?
Chickpeas are a very healthy food and are a perfect way to add plant based protein to salad.
- Chickpeas add great protein and fiber to this salad.
- They are also rich in iron, zinc, phosphorus and B vitamins.
- Experts say chickpeas may help with weight loss*
- Chickpeas help with blood sugar control,* (the starch in chickpeas is digested slowly resulting in stabilized sugar levels).
What is a Good Cilantro Substitute?
Cilantro (coriander) has fresh, vibrant and distinctive flavor and you either love it or you don’t. If you don’t enjoy the flavor of cilantro, you can substitute with other fresh herbs such as finely chopped fresh parsley, chives, dill, or a combination of fresh herbs, adding them to taste. Dried herbs could be used if necessary but fresh is best.
Is this a Make-Ahead Salad?
Leftover chickpea salad is great for meal prep because it keeps really well in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The lemon juice prevents browning in the avocados and the taste only gets better as the flavors meld in the refrigerator. To store, cover with plastic wrap directly over the surface of the salad and refrigerate the leftover portion. Add the salt just before serving to prevent softening of the cucumbers and tomatoes.
More High Protein Salads:
Chickpeas make this a feel-good, protein packed, and satisfying salad. We love salads with protein because they keep you full for hours.
- Avocado Chicken Salad – so easy with rotisserie chicken!
- Salmon Cobb Salad – with juicy morsels of salmon
- Chopped Chicken Salad – this has the best dressing
- Shrimp Salad with juicy cajun shrimp
- Avocado Tuna Salad – uses avocado instead of mayo!
Chickpea Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice, from 1 large lemon
- 1 garlic clove, pressed or minced
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 English Cucumber, halved and sliced
- 15 oz chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 oz feta cheese, diced
Instructions
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl: 3 Tbsp olive oil, 3 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 pressed garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper and whisk to combine (or shake them together in a small mason jar).
- Combine remaining chickpea salad ingredients in a salad bowl, add dressing to taste (we used all of it) and toss to coat.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
*Sources for chickpeas weight loss and blood sugar control information from Healthline and Dr. Axe.
I didn’t use feta or avocado. I used all of the rest of ingredients but I added fresh chopped Dill as well as parley and dried oregano and mixed in Pinto beans in with the chickpeas to. JUST double up on the dressing sauce. Great for fighting period cramps naturally
Natasha,
I have to say that this is a great meal in itself. It’s so flavorful. I just wish that I had made it an hour earlier so that every thing marinade well.
🤯 woah this is absolutely delicious!!!!! Thank you 😊 both my adults sons loved it just as much !
You’re welcome, Kathy and great to hear that!
I love this salad so much! I love salad recipes that don’t over-do the whole lettuce thing…This was perfect!
This is delicious! Been wanting to try and finally made it today. Husband loves it, too!
That’s wonderful, Rachel!
Natasha,
Hello, I made the Chick Pea Salad today. As I do not do social media, I could not post a picture, It came out wonderful. Thank you for your recipes you share..
Hi Arlene! Thank you so much for the feedback. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
This is my go to salad, but with Spanish olives instead of feta cheese. Never thought of feta but will try it next time.
I’ve made this before it is really good and a great refreshing tasteful salad. I love your salad recipes.
Thank you, Deb!
I was going to give this a lower review until I realized I had forgotten the feta. I had no idea how much difference adding it would make. It brought this salad from “bright flavors and good veggie crunch interrupted by mealy chickpeas” to an “all around enjoyable” experience. I’m not a huge salad person, but I would definitely recommend this one! (Just don’t forget the cheese!!)
It may benefit from having the half onion slices so that they fit into a bite easier
I’m so glad you caught that! Feta does add quite a bit of flavor to this salad and the addition of it with the rest of the ingredients is a mouthful of flavor. Thank you for sharing.
I made this today hubby and I loved it. The only thing I changed was I used pearl mozzarella instead of feta.
Sounds delish, Patty!
We felt this recipe was okay, but not fantastic. It kept well until the next day.
HI Donna, did you change anything in terms of proportions? If you have more salad then dressing then it won’t have the same punch of flavor.
What an incredible recipe, Natasha! If far exceeded my expectation! I love so many of your recipes and the ease of access to them. Keep up the great work!
Aw, thank you for the wonderful feedback, Maureen! I’m so glad to hear that.
This dish was fabulous. Simple ingredients I have in my pantry and refrigerator. I made it in the morning, refrigerated for awhile and had it for lunch with some pork roast. It was amazing!
That’s great, Cherie!
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe, it was a big hit with my coworkers 💜
I’m so glad to hear that, Christine!
Do not use salad dressing INGREDIENTS of this recipe. THE CHICK PEA SALAD IS ‘TERRIFIC’ WITH NO SALAD DRESSING!!! It’s great with only the salad ingredients, you’ll see, just wonderful.