The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (2024)

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (1)I've made this chickpea salad sandwich recipe for lunch EVERY DAY for the last two weeks. And I have a feeling that's not going to change! It's my new go-to easy, healthy vegetarian or vegan lunch option and I think you're going to love it just as much. I mean, would you just look at it?!

The tale of the chickpea salad sandwich

People have asked me if there's one meat/fish option I really miss since becoming vegetarian about 6 years ago. It had always been chicken tenders and tuna melts. Then, I discovered Gardein 7-grain tenders and some other great chickenless strips. But I still had a hole in my heart where tuna melts used to be.

That is, until I discovered chickpea salad sandwiches!

It was really a product of fate, the first time I made this. I had seen some recipes over the years for chickpea sandwiches but never really thought they'd be worth trying.

Then I was laying in bed one night planning/fantasizing about what I'd eat the next day (as I do every night), and thinking of what I had on hand and needed to use up.

When I realized I had a can of chickpeas, celery, pickles, red onion, and everything else I needed, I knew what had to be done.

It was time to finally make a chickpea salad sandwich.

I got to work pulsing my chickpeas in the food processor. At first, all I could think was that the texture of mashed chickpeas did not look appealing. Then, I added some mayonnaise and mustard. Okay, getting better.

But it needs crunch.

Time for some celery. And some red onion. And of course, pickles. Now it's really coming together and I'm getting more and more excited as I taste test. I don't stop there though. A splash of pickle juice. Some dried dill. Salt and pepper.

Time for another taste test.

I've done it. I've created a chickpea "tuna" salad sandwich that will forever fill the void tuna left in my heart!

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (2)

What to expect

I've thoughtfully added ingredients into this recipe that remind me of the tuna sandwiches I loved. I always LOVED pickles on mine, so it made sense to include those in my chickpea salad recipe.

I think you'll find (depending on how you mash your chickpeas...more on that later) that the texture is VERY similar to the "real thing."

The big difference is that there's no fishy taste with chickpea salad. (So I guess this can also be compared to egg salad. Except if you use vegan mayo, it's vegan egg salad!). I'm assuming you weren't expecting it to taste like fish, but I wanted to give you a heads up just in case.

Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to create this majestic dish for yourself:

  • Canned chickpeas
  • Red onion
  • Celery
  • Pickles
  • Pickle juice
  • Yellow mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Dried dill
  • Salt and pepper (this is important!)

How to mash your chickpeas

If you follow XO&So on Instagram, you'll know I recently did a poll to see how many people had a food processor. According to the poll, about one third of my followers DON'T have one.

Since I usually use a food processor to get the texture I want in the chickpeas, I wanted to make sure it could also be done by hand. And it absolutely can be! I actually tried using a potato masher and a fork. It took more elbow grease than my food processor, but certainly not impossible.

You just want to make sure your chickpeas are broken up at least more than in half...Or until you get the texture you want.

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (3)

Mashed by hand!

A note on chickpea skins

Once you open a can of chickpeas, you'll see the clear skins starting to come off of some of the chickpeas. These are totally fine to eat, and plenty of people leave them as is. I find it fun to spend time picking most of the skins off (I'm weird, okay?) so I do this. I also prefer the texture without most of the skins.

Oh, bonus tip: if you're making hummus, you'll get a way smoother result if you remove the chickpea skins. More on that here.

It's up to you if you keep the shells/skins on or take them off. If there are a few left on, don't worry about it, though. It's not going to make a big difference.

How to serve chickpea salad

You can go ahead and eat your chickpea salad with a fork all by itself!

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (4)

Here are a few other suggestions:

  • On toast with cucumber, tomato, mayo
  • On toast with cheese melted on top (aka. a chickpea "tuna" melt)
  • In a sandwich
  • Stuffed in pita shells
  • On lettuce with your other favorite salad toppings

Other easy vegetarian lunch recipes

  • JALAPENO POPPER GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
  • VEGETARIAN BUFFALO CHICKEN WRAP
  • GREEK QUINOA SALAD

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life

📖 Recipe

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (5)

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life

This chickpea salad recipe will be your new go-to for an easy, healthy vegetarian or vegan lunch option, whether you eat it on a sandwich or all by itself!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Main Course

Servings 4

Calories 238 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 19 oz chickpeas, canned
  • 3 tablespoon mayonnaise or more, to taste
  • 2 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle juice
  • ¼ cup pickles finely chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoon red onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup celery chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tbsp. fresh
  • ¼ teaspoon salt or more, to taste
  • pepper to taste (but don't skip it!)

Instructions

  • Drain and rinse the chickpeas, removing as many skins as you can with your hands.

    Pulse chickpeas in food processor until you get a tuna-like consistency, or use a fork or potato masher for the same results. Place in a large bowl.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients, and mix well until everything is combined.

  • Serve cold or at room temperature. Keeps in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Serving Suggestions

  • On toast with cucumber, tomato, mayonnaise

    On toast with cheese melted on top (aka. a chickpea "tuna" melt)

    In a sandwich

    Stuffed in pita shells

    On lettuce and other salad toppings

Notes

Nutritional Info– Please keep in mind that nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition

Calories: 238kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 373mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 68IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.2mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (6)

Now, you have to let me know if you're as obsessed with this recipe as I am!!!! Keep me posted.

Thank you so much for stopping by, my friends.

XO - C

The Chickpea Salad Sandwich That Changed My Life (2024)

FAQs

What is the best time to eat chickpea salad? ›

This easy chickpea salad is great for lunch, as a side dish. A bowl of this to your next bbq or cookout would win people over. The best part of this salad is that it can be made ahead of time, it uses 2 dressing ingredients, olive oil and lemon juice.

What is the history of chickpea salad? ›

Chickpea salad has been eaten in the Levant since at least the time of the Amorite kings, with Zimri-Lim being known in particular for lavish banquets at which the dish was one of the delicacies. Variants may include coriander, sweet paprika, turmeric, pepper, chopped mint, chopped onions, or parsley.

Can you eat chickpeas out of a can for salad? ›

Can I eat chickpeas from the can? Canned chickpeas are already cooked and ready to serve. This makes them so convenient to keep on hand when you need to add a quick protein to salads.

Is it OK to eat chickpeas everyday? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas. It's important to remember that chickpeas should not be eaten raw.

Can I eat chickpea salad at night for weight loss? ›

Yes, you can eat chickpea salad at night for weight loss. Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a nutritious and filling food that can be beneficial for weight loss due to their high protein and fiber content.

Which is healthier, chickpeas or garbanzo beans? ›

Are there differences in nutrients between chickpeas and garbanzo beans? No, chickpeas and garbanzo beans do not have a nutritional difference, as they are the same type of legume.

What are the benefits of chickpea salad? ›

Chickpeas are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats and have a low GI. Potential benefits of chickpeas include helping control blood sugar, manage weight, and support heart and gut health. Chickpeas are versatile, so you can add them to many savory or sweet meals and snacks.

What culture eats chickpeas? ›

Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, play an important role in many cultures of the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa, including Spain, Italy, Lebanon, Israel, Morocco and Ethiopia (to name just a few). The wild ancestors of chickpeas are native to western Asia.

Are canned chickpeas as good as fresh? ›

And while fresh cooked chickpeas are sublime, the canned ones are not that bad, so I'm not adverse to using them. But freshly made chickpeas are definitely going to become a regular part of my cooking routine. Their texture is infinitely creamier than their canned siblings, which can feel a little grainy in comparison.

Can you eat canned chickpeas without rinsing? ›

Canned chickpeas are pre-cooked chickpeas. You can eat canned chickpeas straight out of the can! (Just be sure to rinse them off before chowing down to wash out excess sodium) Otherwise, you can roast them or turn them into any number of delicious dishes, like these here.

Can dogs eat chickpeas? ›

The short answer is yes — dogs can eat chickpeas! Like a lot of veggies, feeding chickpeas to your dog is perfectly safe as long as they haven't been altered or added to. Plain chickpeas with no additional ingredients or seasonings, cooked or roasted, are perfectly safe for dogs.

Is chickpea a Superfood? ›

There so many benefits to eating chickpeas. There are good reasons for it being a superfood. Chock full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, it helps your body run smoothly and gives you the energy you need for your life.

What is the white stuff in can of chickpeas? ›

What Is It? Aquafaba is the thick liquid that results from soaking or cooking legumes, such as chickpeas, in water for an extended period of time. It's the translucent viscous goop you probably rinse down the drain when you open a can of chickpeas.

Are chickpeas healthier than pasta? ›

Chickpeas are an incredibly nutritious legume, offering protein, carbs, fiber, antioxidants, and numerous vitamins and minerals ( 5 ). As such, chickpea pasta provides more protein, fiber, and iron than white or whole wheat pasta (6).

Is it good to eat chickpeas at night? ›

Can I eat Chickpeas at night? Yes, it is ok to eat Chickpeas at night, in fact, they can be eaten at any time of day. Chickpeas are rich in vitamin B6, magnesium and a constituent (tryptophan) which helps in getting a healthy and sound sleep[6].

Is chickpea good in empty stomach? ›

Yes, you can eat chana on an empty stomach. This is one of the best and healthiest breakfast options for people with diabetes and high blood sugar levels. Most people eat boiled Kala chana for breakfast each day due to its many health benefits.

When should I eat chickpeas for weight loss? ›

Although chickpeas are high in protein and other nutrients but they are high in calories also. Besides this chickpeas are heavy and takes time to digest. So it is good to eat them in day time only.

Can we eat chickpeas in morning? ›

There's lot to love about high-protein, hearty chickpeas, including what they can do for your morning meal. They're endlessly adaptable and, thanks to all that fiber, they'll help keep you full until lunch.

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