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Home » Recipes » Sandwich

Curried Chickpea Salad (Vegan!)

Sep 28, 2023 by Kaitlin · 6 Comments

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This healthy Curried Chickpea Salad recipe is a delicious vegan version of curried chicken salad! Enjoy the versatility in a sandwich, wrap, on fresh greens, or cracker dip! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

Curried chickpea salad sandwich on a white plate with grapes

This easy Curried Chickpea Salad is so delicious and protein-rich. It's my veganized version of the classic curried chicken salad... but made with all plant-based ingredients!

I love the contrasting flavors and textures. Earthy and warm, with a hint of sweetness. Creamy and nourishing, with a bite of crunch. It's delightful!

Plus it's a great healthy lunch or meal prep that's super versatile. Use it on sandwiches, wraps, or a bed of fresh lettuce and greens. Or try it as a dip with crackers, an appetizer, or snack. Or just scoop it up with a spoon and enjoy!

Garbanzo beans, celery, red onion, mayo, raisins, and curry spice ingredients laid out on a metal tray

Ingredients for Curried Chickpea Salad

For this recipe, you'll stir together in a large bowl:

  • Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans. You'll need one 15-ounce can of chickpeas. We'll rinse and drain the beans before mashing them. (I use a potato masher for easy mashing, but you can use a fork if needed.)
  • Vegan mayonnaise: I use my homemade oil-free Cashew Mayo recipe. It's deliciously creamy, tangy, and rich. But you can use your own favorite version or store-bought vegan mayo instead.
  • Celery: This provides refreshing texture and great flavor to the chickpea mix. I love the fresh crunch.
  • Red onion: Or you can substitute green onion for a milder flavor, but I enjoy the bold taste of red onion in this salad.
  • Lime juice: We'll use one tablespoon freshly squeezed, which is about a half lime. You can also substitute lemon juice if needed.
  • Curry powder: This is a robust spice blend that's warm and earthy. It's commonly made from ingredients like coriander, turmeric, cumin, fenugreek, cardamom, cinnamon, and chili peppers. The particular blend of spices can vary from brand to brand, along with the level of spiciness. (Currently I use the Simply Organic brand.)
  • Dijon mustard: Or substitute regular mustard or stoneground.
  • Fresh cilantro: Omit this if you don't care for the taste of cilantro, or replace with parsley.
  • Raisins: The tender sweetness of raisins pairs wonderfully with the other flavors in this dish. If you have fresh red grapes, these are spectacular as well. Simply dice them up and include them with the raisins (or in place of them).
Ingredients for curried chickpea salad in a glass bowl before mixing together

Customizing

Flavors: Add diced apple, fresh dill, pickle relish, more curry powder, garlic powder, salt and black pepper to taste, dried cranberries, or a drizzle of pure maple syrup for added sweetness.

Nuts & veggies: Add crisp red bell peppers (finely diced), cashews, sunflower seeds, or even pistachios.

Serving

Sandwich & wrap: Spoon this chickpea salad between your favorite whole grain bread (lightly toasted) with fresh baby greens or sprouts. You can also enjoy it in a wrap, either with your favorite tortillas (gluten-free if needed) or lettuce wraps. Or try it stuffed into pita bread.

Dip: Grab your favorite crackers and dive in! It's a great option for appetizers, snacks, party platters, and beyond.

On greens & salad: Dollop this creamy salad on a bed of fresh greens or as a flavorful addition to your favorite salad.

Plain: Or just grab a spoon and scoop it up as is!

Curried chickpea salad mixed together in a glass bowl with metal spoon

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 4-5 days. (It's great made ahead of time which allows the flavors to blend and enhance even further as it sits in the fridge.)

More Recipes!

For more delicious recipes that include curry powder, check out:

  • Vegan Butter Chickpeas
  • Coconut Curry Lentil Soup
  • Curried Rice Salad with Orange
  • Coconut Curry Vegetable Soup
Curried chickpea salad on top of fresh baby greens on a white plate with fork

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan chickpea recipes or lunch recipes.

Curried chickpea salad sandwich on a white plate with grapes

Curried Chickpea Salad (Vegan!)

A healthy, delicious vegan version of curried chicken salad! Enjoy the versatility in a sandwich, wrap, on fresh greens, or cracker dip.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
Course: Dip, Main Dish, Salad
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Oil-Free, Vegan
Servings: 3

Ingredients

  • 15 oz. can chickpeas
  • 1/3 cup cashew mayo
  • 2 ribs celery
  • 3 Tbsp. red onion
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro (or parsley)
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 2 tsp. curry powder
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup raisins (and/or chopped red grapes)

Instructions

  • Rinse and drain chickpeas well. Place in a large bowl and mash. (I use a potato masher.)
  • Finely dice celery and red onion. Roughly chop cilantro. Add to bowl.
  • Add all remaining salad ingredients. Then stir well to combine.
  • Taste and adjust flavors if needed. Add salt & pepper, more curry powder, mayo, or lime juice. (Grapes and cashews are fantastic additions!)
  • Enjoy the salad as is, in a sandwich or wrap, on a bed of fresh greens, or as a dip with crackers.

Notes

Yield: Recipe makes about 2 heaping cups salad, lightly packed.
Other stir-ins: Diced apple, cashews, pistachios, etc.
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. I find it keeps well for about 4-5 days.

Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

Nutrition Facts
Curried Chickpea Salad (Vegan!)
Amount per Serving
Calories
243
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Potassium
 
442
mg
13
%
Carbohydrates
 
34
g
11
%
Fiber
 
9
g
38
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
69
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
5
mg
6
%
Calcium
 
83
mg
8
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Sodium content: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.

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If you are enjoying this curried chickpea salad recipe, also check out:

  • Chickpea Avocado Mash

Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, X (Twitter), or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

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Comments

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    Recipe Rating:




  1. Jennifer says

    July 25, 2024 at 4:03 pm

    5 stars
    This is delicious! Such an easy filling for sandwiches! We're out camping and this was a fantastic camping lunch! Love the pop of sweetness provided by the raisins. Thanks for sharing such a delicious and versatile recipe!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      July 25, 2024 at 6:26 pm

      Yay! So glad it worked out for some easy camp food on your fun adventures, Jennifer! Thank you so much for sharing.

      Reply
  2. April says

    June 16, 2024 at 11:31 pm

    Can I use yogurt in place of mayo?

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      June 17, 2024 at 6:40 am

      Hello, April! Sure, that could work too. Just be sure it's plain & unsweetened. My homemade mayo is tangy and rich (with vinegar, mustard, onion powder, etc.) so if you find you need more flavor with the plain yogurt, adjust as needed!

      Reply
  3. Kate Gurney says

    November 09, 2023 at 3:11 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is magical!!! I have been looking, hoping, and wanting to find a recipe to take the place of my regular chicken salad recipe. I love the curry in this recipe, not too much and just a hint of lime juice. So, so good!!! This is now one of my staple vegan recipes!!! Thank you Kaitlin!!!

    Reply
    • Kaitlin says

      November 09, 2023 at 6:14 pm

      Aww, I'm so thrilled to hear this, Kate! It warms my heart to hear you're enjoying it so much, and I'm glad you found a suitable replacement for your chicken salad! Thanks for taking the time to leave such kind feedback. 🙂

      Reply

Hello, I'm Kaitlin!
I live in Montana and share vegan recipes that are easy and healthy. About Me →

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