Trying to make changes in one’s diet can be quite difficult because some equate healthy food to bland food. After all, on their own, vegetables may not seem the most flavorful. You can make a pretty easy start by choosing ingredients that are already quite tasty on their own but are also packed with nutrients! I am talking about chickpeas. There’s a lot you can do with this yummy legume, but a simple meal that I like to create is Chickpea Salad.

Chickpea salad is a light, nutritious dish made primarily with chickpeas, also known as garbanzos. Typically, it combines chickpeas with a variety of fresh ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, onion, parsley, black olives, and scallions, which add flavor and color. A common dressing includes olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, enhancing the beans’ mild taste while adding a refreshing zest!
Chickpea Salad Ingredients

- Chickpeas (garbanzo) – Adds a pleasant taste of nuttiness to your salad while providing plenty of nutrients. This includes fiber, iron, manganese, and zinc!
- Red onion – This is one perfectly crispy component that you will want in your salad! Not only is its texture ideal for the meal, but it’s also got a sharpness to it that’s just right for our salad.
- Garlic – To improve the flavor of the dish and give it a punch as well as some savor!
- Scallions – You can get the slightest kick from scallions, which is why you probably often see it in salads and seafood dishes. Its taste is light enough not to distract from the flavors of other ingredients, but it also brings a refreshing flavor to a dish.
- Parsley – For some added flavor and nutrition! This is actually a fantastic source of iron and vitamin C.
- Black olives – I love the one-of-a-kind flavor of olives with their satisfying mix of sweetness and saltiness. This is a popular choice for salads not just because it is quite nourishing, but it also has a great flavor you won’t find in many other ingredients.
- Lemon – Acts as the main zest dressing, complementing the olive oil.
- Sun dried tomato strips – You can expect a bit of sweetness from sun dried tomato strips. This also possesses a pleasant texture because of its chewiness.
- Olive oil – To enhance the flavor of the rest of our components.
- Salt and ground black pepper – For the right amount of savory flavor.
How to Make a Chickpea Salad
Rinse and Prepare the Garbanzo Beans
Place the chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any canning residue. Once cleaned, allow any excess water to drain, then transfer them into a large mixing bowl.
Add Fresh Vegetables and Herbs
Next, dice the red onion and slice the scallions. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes and parsley. Add these ingredients to the garbanzos in the bowl, folding gently to distribute the fresh vegetables and herbs evenly.

Mix with a Tangy Lemon-Olive Oil Dressing
Squeeze half of a lemon into a small bowl or directly over the salad for a fresh, citrusy taste. Add three tablespoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and ground black pepper to bring out the flavors. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until the dressing fully coats the chickpeas and vegetables, ensuring each bite is flavorful.
Chill and Serve the Garbanzo Salad Cold
Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and enhances the salad’s refreshing quality. Serve the garbanzo salad cold, making it a crisp, flavorful addition to any meal. Enjoy!
What to Eat with Chickpea Salad

Your Chickpea Salad is already a meal on its own that can serve yourself and one other friend. But since you’re already eating with someone else, why not try to create more dishes alongside the salad? One thing that almost always goes well with salads is bread! And so, you’ll want to give my Toasted Basil and Tomato Bruschetta a try. Let me tell you—this has the most satisfying crunch to it, as well as a light saltiness that would just be perfect with the sourness and sweetness of the Chickpea Salad.
In general, seafood tends to go well with salad. You should definitely try Spicy Calamari or Butter Garlic Shrimp and Squid. Fish is a great go-to when it comes to food you would enjoy with salad. Make it another simple and healthy one by going for Baked Parmesan Garlic Crusted Tilapia. This also has the subtle and satisfying taste of olive oil, but with the sophisticated flavors of parmesan cheese and fine sea salt.

How Long Chickpea Salad Stays Fresh
This garbanzo salad can stay fresh for three to five days when stored properly in the refrigerator. It’s best kept in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other food odors. For optimal taste and texture, consume it within the first few days, as the vegetables may lose their crunch over time. Avoid leaving the salad at room temperature for more than two hours, as this can cause spoilage.
Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
- 15 ounces chickpeas
- 1 red onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 4 stalks scallions chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomato sliced into strips
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash the chickpeas with running water. Let the water drip and then place in a mixing bowl.15 ounces chickpeas
- Add the onion, scallions, sun dried tomato, and parsley. Fold to mix all the ingredients.1 red onion, 4 stalks scallions, 1/4 cup sun dried tomato, 1/4 cup parsley
- Add the lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Continue to mix until all the ingredients are well blended.1/2 lemon, 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt and ground black pepper to taste
- Place inside the fridge. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve cold. enjoy!
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