A Fresh Make-Ahead Salad for Busy Weekdays

[ad_1] <img width="500" height="1000" decoding="async" src="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-1-.jpg" class="shared-counts-hidden-image" data-pin-description="Make a Mediterranean chickpea salad with crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs, then toss it all with olive oil, red wine vinegar, cumin, and lemon. This no-cook salad is quick to prep and gets better after an hour in the fridge, making it perfect for potlucks and busy weekdays. Keep it classic or add feta and olives for extra flavor, then serve with pita or over greens. #spendwithpennies" data-pin-media="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-1-.jpg" alt=""/> Chickpea Salad is an easy one-bowl salad that’s excellent as a facet dish and holds up nicely for meal prep and lunches. It’s loaded with crisp veggies and tossed in a straightforward pink wine French dressing.

Taste: Brilliant lemon and pink wine vinegar, contemporary parsley, and refined heat notes from cumin.

Ability Degree: Simple chop and toss salad with a easy pantry dressing.

Funds Tip: Dried chickpeas could be cheaper than canned. First, soak them in a single day, then cook dinner within the Prompt Pot or on the stovetop till tender.

Serving Suggestion: Serve it alongside oven-baked rooster, tucked right into a pita, or piled over greens for a straightforward lunch.

Easy Substances, Large Taste

Chickpeas/Garbanzo Beans: Canned chickpeas are precooked, making this salad come collectively rapidly. Simply rinse and drain nicely so the dressing clings.

Cucumbers: English, Persian, or child cucumbers keep crisp longer and don’t require peeling. If utilizing common cucumbers, peel and scoop out the seeds to forestall a watery salad.

Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes maintain their form nicely. Roma tomatoes must be seeded first so the salad doesn’t get diluted.

Bell Peppers: Inexperienced bell peppers add crunch and taste. Use pink or yellow bell peppers for a sweeter taste.

Parsley: Parsley provides quite a lot of taste. Strive changing with different contemporary herbs like cilantro or dill.

The dressing is straightforward, so the flavour of the oil comes by way of. Use a gentle extra-virgin olive oil for a softer style, or a extra sturdy extra-virgin should you like a peppery end. Avocado oil works too should you favor one thing impartial.

Variations

Make it Heartier: Add quinoa, farro, or orzo pasta to make it further hearty.

Greek-Model Twist: Strive including kalamata olives or a little bit of tangy feta cheese or goat cheese for a Greek salad twist.

Add a Protein Topper: Strive including grilled or baked rooster for a extra filling important dish.

Easy methods to Make Chickpea Salad

Add the salad elements and rinsed chickpeas to a big bowl (full recipe beneath).

Drizzle with oil, vinegar, and seasonings. Toss to mix.

Chill, then high with non-obligatory avocado earlier than serving.

In case you’re making this for batch cooking or make-ahead meals, add the avocado simply earlier than serving in order that it stays agency and doesn’t brown as quick.

Soak diced pink onion in chilly water, then drain nicely for a milder taste.

If the salad appears watery after chilling, pour off extra liquid, then toss once more and add a squeeze of lemon or a splash of vinegar to brighten it again up.

I hold the dressing good and lightweight with a easy combination of pink wine vinegar and olive oil, with a touch of seasoning.

Hold it Recent for Days

Refrigerate: Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days for very best quality.

With avocado: Greatest inside 2 days; or, go away the avocado out and add it contemporary as a topping simply earlier than serving.

Freezing isn't advisable.

Make Forward Lunch Favorites

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<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1155" height="463" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" http:="" alt="image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text" class="wp-image-322275" title="Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies is available. Get your Copy!" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409.png 1155w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-500x200.png 500w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-800x321.png 800w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-768x308.png 768w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-400x160.png 400w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 1155px) 100vw, 1155px" data-lazy-src="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409.png"/><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1155" height="463" src="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409.png" alt="image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text" class="wp-image-322275" title="Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies is available. Get your Copy!" srcset="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409.png 1155w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-500x200.png 500w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-800x321.png 800w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-768x308.png 768w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SWPCB-Recipe-Card-Banner-202409-400x160.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1155px) 100vw, 1155px"/> Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time 5 minutes minutes

Chill Time 1 hour hour

Whole Time 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

In a medium bowl, mix tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, bell pepper, parsley, and pink onion.

Add the olive oil, vinegar, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss nicely to mix.

If utilizing, lower the avocado into cubes and place in a small bowl. Squeeze the juice from ½ of a lemon over the avocado and gently stir to mix. (If not utilizing avocado, squeeze 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice over the salad and toss.)

Refrigerate for no less than one hour earlier than serving.

Retailer leftover chickpea salad in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.

Diet info supplied is an estimate and can range based mostly on cooking strategies and types of elements used.

Course Salad, Aspect Dish Delicacies American

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<img decoding="async" width="500" height="1500" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=" http:="" alt="Chickpea Salad in a bowl and top view of plated salad with a title" class="wp-image-365964" title="This nutritious chickpea salad is full of crisp vegetables and tossed in an easy lemon dressing with olive oil, vinegar, and cumin. It is naturally gluten-free and great for meal prep because the flavors deepen as it chills. Use an English cucumber for extra crunch, dice everything evenly, and drain and rinse chickpeas well so the salad stays bright. Add avocado at the end for a creamy finish that feels extra special. #spendwithpennies" data-lazy-srcset="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-.jpg 500w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies--400x1200.jpg 400w" data-lazy-sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" data-lazy-src="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-.jpg"/><img decoding="async" width="500" height="1500" src="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-.jpg" alt="Chickpea Salad in a bowl and top view of plated salad with a title" class="wp-image-365964" title="This nutritious chickpea salad is full of crisp vegetables and tossed in an easy lemon dressing with olive oil, vinegar, and cumin. It is naturally gluten-free and great for meal prep because the flavors deepen as it chills. Use an English cucumber for extra crunch, dice everything evenly, and drain and rinse chickpeas well so the salad stays bright. Add avocado at the end for a creamy finish that feels extra special. #spendwithpennies" srcset="https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies-.jpg 500w, https://www.spendwithpennies.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LP-Chickpea-Salad-SpendWithPennies--400x1200.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px"/> [ad_2] Source link