This Quinoa chickpea salad is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Crunchy veggies, protein-rich chickpeas, and fluffy quinoa, all tossed in a fresh lemon herb dressing. Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, easy and fast to make with simple pantry staples.
This flavor packed Quinoa chickpea feta salad is a great vegetarian dish to bring to any party or potluck. It also makes a great meal prep or packed lunch. Store in the fridge and served as a side dish, or a light lunch or dinner. It will keep in the fridge for a few days, just like this Lentil and chickpea salad.
Quinoa makes a delicious and healthy base for salads. It is nutritious, filling and easy and fast to cook. Quinoa is also naturally gluten-free, rich in fiber and plant based protein. For more salads made with quinoa, check out this Quinoa and lentil salad or this Southwest Quinoa Salad.
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Ingredients
The ingredients to make this quinoa salad with chickpeas and feta, are listed below. For the full written recipe with the ingredient quantities, see the recipe card at the bottom.
- Quinoa, uncooked and any color works. I used a multicoloured quinoa for this lemony chickpea quinoa salad.
- Chickpeas, drained and rinsed.
- Red onion, ads a wonderful crunch and bite to this salad. Spring onions or shallots are another great option or this pickled red onions.
- Red bell pepper, ads so much crunch and flavor. Any colour of bell pepper works, I have make this salad with both green and yellows bell pepper as well as roasted red peppers.
- Cherry tomatoes, red or any color of choice, cut in half
- Feta cheese, it’s salty, creamy and absolutely delicious in this salad. For a vegan option, use vegan feta cheese.
- Parsley, I prefer flat leaf parsley, it ads freshness and lots of flavor. Some fresh basil also tastes great in this salad.
Dressing
- Olive oil, a good quality extra virgin olive oil tastes great in this dressing.
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed always tastes better.
- Garlic, gives this dressing a punch of flavour.
- Honey, to balance out the acid from the lemon juice. For a vegan option, use maple syrup.
- Dijon mustard, just a little adds a lot of flavor.
- Spices, sea salt, Italian seasoning, Black pepper and optional Red chili flakes. If you don’t like chilli, just leave it out completely. Or it can be replaced with some sweet paprika powder.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Making this healthy Quinoa salad with chickpeas is fast and easy. Just follow the step by step photos below.
For the full instructions see the recipe card at the bottom.
- Step 1: Cook quinoa according to the package instructions, optional is to boil it in vegetable broth instead of water. Let the quinoa cool to room temperature.
- Step 2: In a large salad bowl, stir together all the ingredients for the dressing.
- Step 3: Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and red onion to the bowl. Stir and let marinate while the quinoa cooks and you chop the rest of the veggies.
- Step 4: To the salad bowl with the dressing, add the quinoa, chopped bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese and parsley.
Step 5: Gently toss to serve. Season with more salt and pepper to taste and top with some extra parsley and feta cheese before serving if desired.
Hint: If you have time, let this quinoa salad sit for about 30 minutes to bring out all the flavors before serving.
This Quinoa chickpea salad is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Crunchy veggies, protein-rich chickpeas, and fluffy quinoa, all tossed in a fresh lemon herb dressing. Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, easy and fast to make with simple pantry staples.
- 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
- 1 can (400g, 14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ red onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (vegan if needed)
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 large lemon, juiced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning mix or oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
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Rinse the quinoa and cook it according to the package instructions, optional is to boil it in vegetable broth instead of water. Let the quinoa cool down to room temperature before adding to the salad.
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Meanwhile, large salad bowl, stir together all the ingredients for the dressing and add the chickpeas and red onion to marinate while the quinoa cooks and you chop the rest of the veggies.
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To the salad bowl with the dressing chickpeas and onion, add the cooked and cooled quinoa, red pepper, tomatoes, feta cheese and chopped parsley. Toss to combine.
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Add more salt and pepper to taste and top with some extra parsley and feta cheese before serving if desired.
Substitutions and Variations
- Onion – The red onion, ads a nice crunch and bite to this salad. It can also be replaced with copped spring onions or shallots. Or it can also be substituted with this easy pickled red onion for a milder taste.
- Grains – Instead of the quinoa, add some cooked rice, couscous, farro, or barley as a substitute. Orzo is also a great alternative or check out this Chickpea Orzo Salad.
- Chickpeas – This recipe uses canned chickpeas, but any kind of beans will work. Canned beans are a great timesaver but you can also boil your own chickpeas at home. Just let them cool down before adding to this greek quinoa salad with chickpeas.
- Herbs – Instead of fresh parsley some cilantro or basil can also be used instead. Or use a mix or herbs of choice.
- Red bell pepper, ads so much crunch and flavor. Any colour of bell pepper works, I have make this salad with both green and yellows bell pepper as well as roasted red peppers.
- Vegan – for a vegan salad, use maple syrup instead of honey in the dressing, and a vegan feta cheese alternative.
- Veggies – Add more veggies to this salad, some great options are chopped avocado, cucumber, or some leftovers of this Grilled Zucchini.
- Spicy – For a spicier salad, add red pepper flakes to taste or some chopped fresh chili or jalapeño.
- Greens – Add some small greens like arugula to make an arugula chickpea salad, or baby spinach or a mix of greens of choice.
- Olives – Toss in some of your favorit olives, whole or sliced, to make this a mediterranean quinoa salad with chickpeas.
Storage
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving and add a squees of lemon, a drizzle of olive oil and some fresh herbs if desired.
I don’t recommend freezing this salad since the vegetables will become soft and watery after freezing and defrosting.
Top Tip for the Best Quinoa Chickpea Salad
Hers a few simple tips to make a quinoa salad that’s light and flavorful.
- Rinse the quinoa well before cooking. This removes the natural coating that can otherwise taste a little bitter.
- Let the quinoa cool completely before adding to the salad. Warm quinoa could otherwise soften the vegetables.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a brighter, fresher flavor than bottled lemon juice.
- Chop the vegetables into similar-sized pieces. This makes every bite balanced and easier to eat.
- Add plenty of fresh herbs for maximum flavor. Parsley is used in this recipe but, mint, cilantro, or dill are other great options.
- Taste before serving. The quinoa will absorb the dressing as it sits, so you may want to add an extra squeeze of lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, or a pinch of salt just before serving.
FAQ
Yes, quinoa is naturally gluten free!
Yes! This salad is made with wholesome and nutrient-dense ingredients like quinoa, chickpeas, fresh vegetables and herbs. It also has a light and fresh dressing full of lemon juice. It has plant-based protein, fiber, and essential vitamins, making it part of a balanced option for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Yes, the quinoa and chickpeas are rich in plants based protein. Other great options is to add more beans or lentils of choice or cooked edamame. Some pumpkin seeds are chopped nuts are also a great option to boost the protein. Also see this protein packed Tuscan bean salad.
Quinoa Salad Recipes
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