Description
This Citrus Chickpea Salad is a vibrant, refreshing vegan dish combining chickpeas, citrus juices, and colorful vegetables. Packed with plant-based protein and zesty flavor, it’s perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a light, healthy lunch any time of the year.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cans chickpeas (about 3 cups), drained and rinsed
- 1 ½ cups corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 small red pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, chopped and soaked in water
- 3 stalks green onions, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons agave nectar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons white or red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup canola oil
Instructions
- Dice the red onion and soak it in water for 5–10 minutes to mellow its flavor.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Chop the red pepper, green onions, and cilantro, then add them to the bowl with the chickpeas.
- Add the corn and drained red onions to the mixture and toss lightly.
- In a blender, combine orange juice, lime juice, agave nectar, vinegar, salt, and canola oil.
- Blend for about 20 seconds until creamy and emulsified.
- Pour the citrus dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss until well coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for a few hours to allow flavors to develop.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Soaking the red onion in water helps reduce its sharpness.
- The salad tastes better after chilling for a few hours or overnight.
- For an oil-free version, omit the oil; the dressing will be lighter but still flavorful.
- Adjust sweetness with extra agave or a pinch of sugar depending on citrus acidity.
- Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and picnics.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Vegan / Mediterranean-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.5 cup
- Calories: 94
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 118mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Citrus Chickpea Salad, vegan salad, citrus dressing, healthy lunch, chickpea recipe, gluten-free salad, meal prep salad