Refreshing Quinoa Chickpea Salad
There’s nothing like this refreshing quinoa chickpea salad on a gorgeous sunny spring or summer day. Quinoa pairs perfectly with the fresh vibrant herbs, crisp veggies, and a mouthwatering lemon dressing that adds a pop of flavor in each bite. This salad can actually be enjoyed year round as a simple healthy lunch, side dish, or light dinner that everyone will love.
What you’ll love about this:
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Ingredients for Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Ingredient notes:
- Quinoa: I like to use white quinoa for this recipe, but you can switch it up with tri-color quinoa if you prefer. I don’t necessarily recommend red quinoa for this recipe mainly for aesthetics because the vibrant veggies won’t “pop” as much. Quinoa is a great plant-based protein with all 9 essential amino acids (making it a complete protein).
- Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans: You just need one can of chickpeas for this recipe. Be sure to drain and rinse to remove any preservatives or excess salt.
- Fresh lemon: Get the largest (and juiciest!) fresh lemon you can find! The lemon juice will add a fresh pop of flavor to this recipe and you could even add some lemon zest for more lemony-flavor. This is the main component of our quinoa salad dressing, amongst a few other simple ingredients like olive oil.
- Veg: You will need a few different veggies for this recipe: red onion, shredded carrots, diced red peppers
- Fresh herbs: The combination of fresh parsley and mint in this recipe is heavenly.
See recipe card for full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Veg: Feel free to use any other fresh veggies you like such as English cucumber, arugula, spinach, kale, kalamata olives, other colors of pepper, even a little green onion
- Protein: You can add or swap different beans like black beans or white beans
- Dressing: If you don’t have lemon, try red wine vinegar (it is not as citrusy but tangy and slightly fruity flavor)
How to Make Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Step 1: Cook quinoa to package instructions in vegetable broth. (You can also cook in water, but the veggie broth really boosts the flavor!)Fluff your cooked quinoa with a fork and place in a bowl in the fridge to cool.
Step 2: Chop your veggies into small pieces. Finely chop your herbs.
Step 3: In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients.
Step 4: Combine quinoa, chickpeas, feta, and veggies in a large bowl. Toss with dressing. You can let it chill for 20 minutes in the fridge or serve right away.
Meal prep idea: Portion quinoa salad into different containers for a healthy lunch throughout the week. Switch it by adding it to sandwiches/wraps, on top of greens, in grain bowls, or with the addition of more protein like tofu for more options throughout the week.
Common Quinoa Salad Questions
The main difference is their color and slight variations in flavor and texture, with red quinoa having a nuttier taste and firmer texture compared to the slightly sweeter and softer white quinoa. tri-color quinoa is a blend of three varieties (white, red, and black), offering a mix of flavors and textures. I personally use white the most and occasionally the tri-color when I want to mix it up.
Quinoa salad can be served either hot or cold, depending on personal preference but I think this quinoa salad tastes best chilled.
You can refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 1 week.
Leftover Ideas
Add some Air-fried Asian Tofu for more protein and this makes for a great lunch or dinner!
▶︎You will LOVE this incredible list of unique Vegan Chickpea Recipes (including some REALLY good desserts you would never guess have chickpeas!)
Pro Tips
- Cool the quinoa: Let the quinoa cool completely first before adding in the veggies (if you add veggies to warm quinoa it will wilt them)
- Time saving tip: Cook the quinoa 1-2 days in advance and it makes salad assembly super quick.
- Vegetable add-ins – Arugula, spinach, kale, kalamata olives, green onions, diced cucumber,
More Salad Recipes
The best salad recipes! Check these out…
If you’re looking for more quinoa recipes, try out my Thai Peanut Tofu Quinoa Bowl or this Quinoa Tabbouleh!
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Quinoa Chickpea Salad
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Ingredients
- 3/4 cup uncooked white quinoa
- 1.5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 medium red pepper diced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1/3 cup feta crumbles (use dairy-free crumbles if vegan)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
Lemony Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice of a large lemon
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- QUINOA: Cook quinoa to package instructions in vegetable broth. (You can also cook in water, but the veggie broth really boosts the flavor!) Fluff your cooked quinoa with a fork and place in a bowl in the fridge to cool.3/4 cup uncooked white quinoa, 1.5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- VEG: While your quinoa cooks and cools, chop your veggies into small pieces. Finely chop your herbs.1 medium red pepper, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley, 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- DRESSING: In a small bowl whisk together dressing ingredients.1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, juice of a large lemon, 2 cloves minced garlic, salt and pepper to taste
- TOSS: Combine quinoa, chickpeas, feta, and veggies in a large bowl. Toss with dressing. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if desired. You can let it chill for 20 minutes in the fridge or serve right away.1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, 1/3 cup feta crumbles
Notes
- No veggie broth? You can cook your quinoa of water, if preferable, however vegetable broth will add a ton of flavor to this recipe!
- Other veggie add-ins: diced cucumber, spinach, kale, kalamata olives, green onion, cherry tomatoes, and more!
- Meal prep idea: Portion quinoa salad into different containers for meals throughout the week. Add it into sandwiches/wraps, on top of greens, in grain bowls, or with the addition of more protein like tofu.
I loved the broccoli cheddar orzo so much I can’t wait to try this one!
Thanks so much Kristen! Yes the broccoli cheddar orzo is one of my all time faves – this quinoa chickpea salad is also amazing!
This is maybe the most flavorful quinoa I’ve ever had. It’s light and delicious but the veggie broth gives it a lot of flavor. Definitely recommend this one!
Thanks so much Alan!