Fiber-Forward Chickpea Salad (Printable)

Fresh chickpeas, crisp cabbage, and carrots combined with a creamy tahini-lemon dressing.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 can, drained and rinsed)
02 - 2 cups shredded green or red cabbage
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
07 - 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds (optional)

→ Tahini-Lemon Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons tahini
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 2 to 3 tablespoons cold water, as needed to thin
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, parsley, and toasted sunflower seeds if using.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup or honey, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Gradually add cold water, whisking until the dressing reaches a creamy, pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
04 - Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes with zero cooking, making it perfect for days when you need something nourishing without the fuss.
  • The tahini-lemon dressing is creamy and satisfying enough to make you forget you're eating something entirely plant-based.
  • It's the kind of salad that gets better as it sits, so leftovers are genuinely more delicious than the first serving.
02 -
  • Tahini can seize up if you don't add the lemon juice gradually and stir patiently, but this is actually the moment many home cooks abandon it, so keep going and trust the process.
  • The dressing will continue to thicken as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, whisk in a touch more water just before serving so it's still pourable.
  • This salad is forgiving and actually improves as the dressing penetrates the vegetables, making it one of the best dishes to prep in advance.
03 -
  • Toast your sunflower seeds in a dry pan for two minutes before adding them so they release their oils and taste more complex and delicious.
  • Keep the dressing separate if you're packing this for lunch, then toss everything together just before eating to maintain maximum crunch and prevent the cabbage from becoming soggy.
  • If your tahini dressing breaks or looks grainy, start fresh with a spoonful of tahini in a clean bowl and whisk in your broken dressing slowly, which will bring everything back together.
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