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    Home » Recipe » Course & Meal Type » Salads » Chickpea Tahini Salad (healthy)

    Posted on: Dec 7, 2022 by honeywhatscooking · Leave a Comment

    Chickpea Tahini Salad (healthy)

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    Jump to Recipe

    Nutritious and delicious Chickpea Tahini Salad is made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, and topped off with a tahini sauce.

    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    I love eating salads, especially those without leaves. Lol. I know, I know. This Chickpea Tahini Salad is inspired by the famous Persian Shirazi Salad topped with tahini sauce.

    This salad makes a delicious and festive side for the holidays since it's so colorful. Additionally, a touch of pomegranate really gives the salad that holiday look and feel.

    What is Chickpea Tahini Salad?

    In a traditional Shirazi Salad, there are cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, green bell pepper, mint, parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice.

    Similarly, for my chickpea salad, I added all the Shirazi Salad ingredients along with cilantro. I then topped my salad with a creamy tahini sauce which really elevates the flavors.

    Ingredients for Chickpea Tahini Salad

    • Veggies - Cucumber, Red Onions, Tomatoes, Green Bell Pepper.
    • Chickpeas - I used organic canned chickpeas rinsed & drained. You may also use dry chickpeas that you can soak overnight and pressure cook.
    • Olive Oil - you'll need a tablespoon of olive oil for the salad and some for the tahini sauce.
    • Lemon Juice - freshly squeezed lemon juice for both the salad and tahini sauce.
    • Salt & Black Pepper
    • Sesame Seed Paste or Tahini Paste - You'll need to use a good brand here for sesame seed paste and Trader Joe's brand won't cut it. I highly recommend Joyva Tahini which can be found at most grocery stores or on Amazon.
    • Water - you need water to dilute the paste slightly.
    • Cayenne Pepper - you need a little cayenne for the tahini sauce.
    • Garlic - fresh garlic cloves for tahini sauce.

    Why You’ll Love this Chickpea Tahini Salad

    • Nutritious and delicious
    • Satisfying
    • Festive and colorful
    • Vegan
    • Gluten-free
    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    How to make Chickpea Tahini Salad step by step

    Make Tahini Dressing

    1. Add all the ingredients for the tahini dressing to a blender -

    2. Blend until thick and creamy.

    Make tahini sauce

    Prep

    1. Chop cilantro, mint, and parsley.

    2. Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, serrano peppers, red onions, and green bell pepper. I just used my favorite chopper - this works amazing!

    chop veggies

    Make the Chickpea Salad

    1. In a large bowl, add cucumbers.

    2. Add green bell peppers.

    3. Add red onions.

    4. Add drained tomatoes.

    assemble veggies

    5. Add serrano peppers. You can use jalapenos instead if serrano is too spicy.

    6. Add the herbs - cilantro, parsley, and mint.

    7. Add salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice.

    8. Add chickpeas.

    add oil and seasonings

    9. Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle tahini. Garnish with pomegranate and chopped parsley. Enjoy as a side or main.

    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    Tips to make Chickpea Tahini Salad

    • Prepare the tahini salad dressing.
    • Chop all the veggies and herbs.
    • Combine all the veggies, herbs, chickpeas, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings in a large bowl. Mix well.
    • Assemble. Drizzle tahini sauce on top.

    Serving Suggestions

    Chickpea Tahini Salad can be served as a side. This salad pairs well with Chicken Seekh Kebabs, Baked Falafel, or these Chicken Kebab Burgers.

    Alternatively, you may serve this salad as a main instead of a side.

    Substitutions

    • Cilantro - I know many folks have issues with cilantro, so feel free to omit the cilantro and replace it with parsley.
    • Green Bell Pepper - you can substitute green bell pepper with red bell pepper.
    • Chickpeas - feel free to replace chickpeas with white cannellini beans which work well in this recipe. Alternatively, you may skip the chickpeas altogether.
    • Tahini Sauce - Tahini sauce tastes amazing in this salad, but if you want to skip the sauce, that works. You'll end up with Shirazi Salad which takes refreshing and incredible.

    Variations

    • Spice Level - if serrano peppers are too spicy, opt for jalapenos. You may deseed the jalapeno if you wish.

    Storage

    Chickpea Tahini Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

    If you plan on storing the salad for a few days, then don't add tahini sauce on top else the salad will get watery. Instead, top with tahini sauce when you're ready to eat.

    Top Tip

    If you plan on having leftovers, don't top all the salad with tahini sauce else the salad will get watery. Instead, add tahini sauce as needed when you're ready to eat.

    FAQ

    1. Is Chickpea Tahini Salad vegan?

    Yes. This salad is completely vegan.

    2. Is Chickpea Tahini Salad gluten-free?

    Yes. This salad is completely gluten-free.

    3. Is Chickpea Tahini Salad healthy?

    Yes. This salad is nutritious and healthy. You will feel full and satisfied with this salad.

    4. Does tahini quality matter?

    Yes. It absolutely does! My mom has been using Joyva Tahini for as long as I can remember so I love this brand. You can find Joyva at most grocery stores, I've also seen it at Whole Foods, else try Amazon.

    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    More Salad Recipes

    • Mango Chickpea Kachumber Salad
    • Bean Corn Kachumber Salad
    • Corn Chaat Kachumber Salad
    • Curry Roasted Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad
    • Beet Salad with Goat Cheese and Arugula
    • Mediterranean Orzo Salad

    Pin & Enjoy!

    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    Chickpea Tahini Salad

    Healthy, Vegan, Gluten-free
    Nutritious and delicious Chickpea Tahini Salad is made with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and bell peppers, and topped off with a tahini sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Author: Nisha
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Course Salads & Fruits
    Cuisine Middle-Eastern Inspired
    Servings 6 people

    Equipment

    Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    for spicy tahini sauce (you'll have leftovers)

    • ½ cup sesame tahini, I like Joyva brand
    • ½ cup water
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, more if needed
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, more if needed
    • 2 cloves garlic
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    for chickpea tahini salad

    • 1 ½ cups cucumber, chopped
    • 1 cup red onion, chopped
    • 1 ½ cups tomatoes, chopped & drained
    • ½ cup green bell pepper, chopped
    • ½ serrano pepper, finely chopped, more if needed
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • black pepper to taste
    • 3 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
    • ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
    • 3 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, chopped
    • 15 ounces canned organic chickpeas, rinsed & drained
    • drizzle tahini sauce as per taste

    Instructions
     

    Make Tahini Dressing

    • Add all the ingredients for the tahini dressing to a blender -
    • Blend until thick and creamy.
    • Prep
    • Chop cilantro, mint, and parsley.
    • Chop tomatoes, cucumbers, serrano peppers, red onions, and green bell pepper. I just used my favorite chopper - this works amazing!

    Make the Chickpea Tahini Salad

    • In a large bowl, add cucumbers.
    • Add green bell peppers.
    • Add red onions.
    • Add drained tomatoes.
    • Add serrano peppers. You can use jalapenos instead if serrano is too spicy.
    • Add the herbs - cilantro, parsley, and mint.
    • Add salt, black pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice.
    • Add chickpeas.
    • Transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle tahini. Garnish with pomegranate and chopped parsley. Enjoy as a side or main.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 247kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 9gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 404mgPotassium: 495mgFiber: 8gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 808IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 78mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword Chickpea Salad, Salad, Tahini Salad
    Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking
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    Hi, I'm Nisha... a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the line, I inspire you to eat better.

    Learn more about me →


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