The ultimate no-cook healthy and refreshing Chana Salad or Chickpea Salad is full of vibrant colors and flavors. Makes a delicious meal and is packed with protein and fiber. Can be vegan too!
To satisfy your midday cravings, everyone loves a quick and easy salad recipe. A salad that requires no cooking, is easy to put together and tastes yum!
So, how about a Chana Salad or Chickpea Salad that combines fresh vegetables including bell peppers, cucumbers, green onions, and feta cheese tossed in an easy homemade lemon- olive oil dressing. Sounds yummy, right?
It sure is. This make-ahead, 15-minute no-cook chickpea salad will satisfy all your cravings and makes a comforting side dish that is infused with aromatic spices. Every bite you take is packed with a fantastic mix of flavors. It is the easiest salad you have ever made.
Ingredients required to make No-cook Chana Salad or Chickpea Salad!
- Boiled Chickpeas
- Onion
- Bell Pepper
- Cucumbers
- Cilantro leaves
- Feta Cheese
- Spices like : Cumin seeds, Red chili flakes, and dried mint leaves
- Salad dressing : Olive oil, lemon juice, balck peppercorns, and fresh mint leaves.
How to make this No-cook Chana Salad or Chickpea Salad?
The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it with any vegetables you have in your fridge. No complicated ingredients required, super easy-to-make and very versatile.
Just mix in the boiled chickpeas along with cucumber, bell peppers, and onions, moderately season it with spices and toss in a homemade lemon- olive oil dressing and a yummy salad is ready in no time.
Salad dressing gives chickpeas and veggies a perfect shine and a tangy flavor. The best part is that once everything is mixed up, natural juices from the fresh veggies and herbs make it even more flavorful.
OTHER VARIATIONS!
This salad tastes delicious in any variation, may you add tomatoes, carrots or any other veggie of your choice – this salad is a winner!! But some tested and tried options are listed below –
- Swap chickpea with boiled black-eyed peas. Except for the texture and flavor, nothing changes.
- Like toasted chickpeas – toast boiled chickpeas in an oven or air fryer and this will add extra crunch to the salad.
- If using store-bought chickpeas, drain the chickpea liquid**, wash and pat them dry. Them add it to the salad.
- feel free to add a protein of your choice to make it more flavorful and nutritious.
- If feta cheese or paneer is left out of the recipe than this recipe is a perfect VEGAN MEAL!!
** Chickpea liquid is Aquafaba!! The clear -thick gelatinous liquid obtained after boiling chickpeas. This can be used to make many yummy recipes.
Highlights!
I love everything about this salad. It’s –
- healthy
- hearty
- full of bold flavors and colors
- protein-rich
- filling
- gluten-free
- and can be vegan too! Now what more I can ask for in a bowl of salad. So addictive that you won’t be able to stop eating!
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe. Feel free to contact me with any questions or inquiries, and I would be happy to answer them.
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Chana Salad or Chickpea Salad
Tools And Equipment
Ingredients
CHICKPEA INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups Canned Chickpeas
- 2 teaspoon Crushed cumin seeds
- 1.5 teaspoon Crushed red chili flakes or Red chili powder
- 2 teaspoon Dried mint leaves (crushed)
SALAD INGREDIENTS
- 2 tablespoon Chopped Green Onions
- 1 small Onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup Red Bell Pepper finely chopped
- 1 medium Cucumber, finely chopped
- 1 cup Green Bell Pepper finely chopped
- 2 tablespoon Chopped cilantro leaves to garnish
- 3 tablespoon Feta cheese
- Salt to taste
SALAD DRESSING
- 3 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Coarsely crushed black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Mint leaves
Instructions
- Open a chickpeas can and drain.
- Save the liquid – this is Aquafaba. Visit the link above for aquafaba recipes.
- Add the boiled chickpeas to a bowl. Mix in all the spices one by one.
- Give it a good toss.
- Do not add salt at this point.
- When ready to serve. Heat up the chana/chickpeas and start adding veggies one by one.
- You can add or subtract the ingredients to your liking.
- Toss in all the veggies.
- At this point add salt and adjust seasonings.
- Assemble the salad dressing ingredients. You can use store bought vinaigrette to save time.
- In a cup add all the ingredients and whisk it up.
- Pour it over the salad.
- Toss until well blended.
- Adjust dressing, spices and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Wash and soak chickpea overnight. In the morning, drain that water and wash the chickpeas again.
- Transfer soaked chickpeas to a pressure cooker and add enough water to cover it.
- Pressure cook for 6-8 whistles or until chickpeas/chole is tender. If using an Instant Pot, Pressure cook soaked chickpeas for 25 minutes on HIGH.
- Use as directed in the recipe.
Karly says
YUM. This looks so light and fresh and filling at the same time- perfect little lunch dish!
Ruchi says
Thank you Karly!
I agree, a perfect filling dish.
namrata says
healthy recipe…well explained and great pics
Ruchi says
Thank you!
sarla dilwali says
All the information has been very nicely explained. families would learn a lot by your quinova recpies ,chickpeas salads. mixing of beans to your taste makes the dish very tempting so everyone has her own tasty salad hot /or cold. please write where can we get Quinova ?
thanks
sarla
RK says
Thanks for your wonderful feedback Sarla. Glad you liked the recipes. Quinoa is readily available in any US grocery store. In India you can buy it online at Amazon.