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 greatprotein and fiber to this salad.
- They are also rich in iron, zinc, phosphorus and B vitamins.
- Experts saychickpeas may help with weight loss*
- Chickpeas help withblood 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
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Chickpea Salad loaded with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, feta cheese and chickpeas or garbanzo beans. Fresh, healthy and protein packed!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Total Time: 10 minutes mins
Ingredients
Servings: 6 as a side salad
- 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
302kcal Calories27g Carbs10g Protein17g Fat4g Saturated Fat16mg Cholesterol418mg Sodium556mg Potassium8g Fiber6g Sugar425IU Vitamin A18.1mg Vitamin C146mg Calcium2.8mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
- Nutrition Disclosure
Nutrition Facts
Chickpea Salad Recipe
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chickpea salad, garbanzo bean salad
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
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.
Natasha Kravchuk
Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.
Read more posts by Natasha
FAQs
Place the chickpeas in a large bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher until most of the chickpeas are smashed. Stir in the celery, onion, and pickles. In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, red wine vinegar, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Can you eat raw chickpeas in a salad? ›
Chickpea Salad is a quick and easy throw together salad packed with raw vegetables and super foods. No cooking required! A quick mix of canned garbanzo beans, avocado, onion, pepper, celery, tomatoes and a light lemon vinaigrette make a light and healthy meal full of protein and vitamins.
Can I eat chickpea salad at night for weight loss? ›
Yes, you can eat chickpeas salad at night for weight loss. Chickpeas are a good source of protein and fiber, which help you feel full and satisfied. They also contain antioxidants that can help protect your body against disease.
Is chickpea salad good for health? ›
Chickpeas are a great source of fibre, potassium, vitamin C and B-6. They also offer a whopping 39 grams of protein per cup as well! They fill you up, support your immune system and keep you regular. What's not to love?
Do canned chickpeas need to be cooked? ›
Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.
Which is healthier chickpeas or garbanzo beans? ›
So really, there is no wrong answer. Both are correct! This unique, nutrient-packed bean has been popular in the Middle East for many years, as chickpeas are a staple ingredient in many of the region's most well-known dishes like hummus and falafel.
Are garbanzo beans the same as chickpeas? ›
The name chickpea comes from the Latin word cicer, referring to the plant family of legumes, Fabaceae. It is also known by its popular Spanish-derived name, the garbanzo bean. Kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, and peanuts are other familiar foods found in this legume family.
What is 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.
Can you eat chickpeas everyday? ›
You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.
Are chickpeas good for losing belly fat? ›
Due to their high-fiber and protein content, chickpeas are excellent for weight loss diets because they keep you fuller longer and control appetite.
Chickpeas with a glass of milk
Chickpeas and milk are a source of tryptophan, an amino acid that can help to improve sleep.
Are chickpeas carbs or protein? ›
They contain a moderate number of calories, providing 269 per cup (164 grams). Approximately 67% of these calories come from carbs, while the rest comes from protein and fat ( 1 ). Chickpeas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein.
Are chickpeas anti inflammatory? ›
Ingredients like Greek yogurt, raspberries, chickpeas and garlic are both gut-healthy and anti-inflammatory foods. This means these snacks can help aid in healthy digestion as well as relieve symptoms of inflammation like joint stiffness, mental fog and high blood pressure.
What is the best time to eat chickpea salad? ›
Normally I like to eat this salad for lunch over mixed greens or spinach but you can also enjoy it as is. It's full of plant-based protein from chickpeas, a great option to pack for lunch, or even as an easy side dish for a BBQ or potluck, so let's do it up!
Do chickpeas spike blood sugar? ›
Chickpeas can positively impact your high blood sugar due to their low GI, high fibre and protein content. However, consuming legumes as part of a balanced meal is essential, as excessive consumption or high-GI ingredients added to chickpea recipes can raise your blood sugar levels.
What are the main ingredients in chickpeas? ›
Cooked chickpeas are 60% water, 27% carbohydrates, 9% protein and 3% fat (table). Seventy-five percent of the fat content is unsaturated fatty acids for which linoleic acid comprises 43% of the total fat.
What do chickpeas consist of? ›
An excellent source of carbohydrate, protein, fiber, B vitamins, and some minerals, they are a nutritious staple of many diets.
What is chickpeas made of? ›
Chickpeas, which are also known as the garbanzo bean, are classified as a legume. They come from a plant — in fact, Lane notes they're one of the earliest cultivated vegetables in history — and grow two to three to a pod.
Do chickpeas have sugar or carbs? ›
Carbs. Most of the calories in chickpeas come from carbohydrate. There are about 35 grams of carbs in a 1-cup serving. Most of the carbohydrate in chickpeas is fiber and starch, though there is a small amount of naturally occurring sugar in chickpeas.
