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Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing Recipe
Annie Graves

Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Try this Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing! A fresh, protein-packed salad with a creamy, tangy dressing for a healthy and satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
For the Lemon Tahini Dressing
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or honey optional, for sweetness
  • 1 small garlic clove minced
  • 2-3 tbsp water to thin the dressing
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Add-Ins
  • A handful of olives for added Mediterranean flavor
  • A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for heat
  • 1/4 cup cooked quinoa or bulgur for extra heartiness
Substitutions
  • Dairy-Free: Omit the feta cheese or use a dairy-free alternative.
  • Vegan: Use maple syrup instead of honey for the dressing.

Method
 

Prepare the Salad
  1. In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint (if using).
  2. Toss to combine.
Make the Lemon Tahini Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup (or honey), minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency—it should be smooth and pourable.
Dress the Salad
  1. Pour the lemon tahini dressing over the chickpea salad and toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
Serve
  1. Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese (if using) and any optional add-ins like olives or quinoa.
  2. Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for up to an hour to let the flavors meld.

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving - without feta):

  • Calories: 250-300
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fiber: 8g
  • Sugar: 5g
 

Notes/Advice:

  • Additions/Subtractions:
    • Feel free to add any extra veggies you like—bell peppers, carrots, or even avocado would be great in this salad.
    • For a more robust flavor, let the salad sit for 30 minutes to an hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
    • If you find the tahini dressing too thick, add a little more water or olive oil to thin it out.