Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Dill (Easy!)

This delicious Quinoa Chickpea Salad recipe features fresh dill, avocado, and crisp veggies! So easy to prepare, and filled with plant-based nourishment. Great for a healthy lunch, meal prep, picnics, potlucks, and more. (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

This nourishing Quinoa Chickpea Salad is so fresh and healthy!

It features a protein-rich base of quinoa and chickpeas. Then we add juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumber, fresh dill, and creamy avocado to the mix. And finally, toss it with a bright lemon-vinegar dressing!

Best of all, it holds up well in the fridge. So it's great for meal prep and take-along lunches. You can enjoy it as a side dish, light lunch, or bring a batch to share at summer gatherings, picnics, barbecues, or potlucks.

Ingredients for Quinoa Chickpea Salad

For the salad portion, you'll toss together in a large bowl:

• White quinoa: Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids which makes it a complete protein. It's simple to cook and a great base for this salad!
• Chickpeas (garbanzo beans): These add a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, and other nutrients to the salad. (Feel free to substitute with another white bean if desired however.) I use canned chickpeas, but if you cook your own from scratch, then use about 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas.
• Cucumber: Most often I use an English/hothouse cucumber because they're more flavorful and have less seeds. But regular seedless garden tomatoes work great too.
• Grape tomatoes: Or cherry tomatoes. I like these best in this salad because they have such sweet, rich flavor. However you can substitute roma tomatoes or other flavorful garden tomato if desired. Roasted tomatoes could also provide another delicious layer of flavor!
• Green onions (scallions): Or you can substitute chives or even finely diced red onion for a stronger flavor.
• Avocado: Either use one large avocado, or two smaller avocados.
• Fresh lemon juice: You can also include a little lemon zest in the dressing for even more flavor.
• Red wine vinegar: Or you can substitute apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
• Fresh dill: This is one of my favorite herbs, so I usually toss in a little extra!
• Garlic cloves
• Salt: A bit of fine grain salt helps bring out the flavors. Feel free to add as much or as little to your taste. You can also include black pepper if desired.

Customizing

Vegetables: Swap in other veggies like sweet corn, red bell pepper, roasted bell pepper, artichoke hearts, carrots, sugar snap peas, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, etc.

Greens: You can even stir in finely chopped greens like arugula, spinach, or baby kale for more nutrients.

Herbs: I really enjoy fresh dill in this salad, but it works great with other fresh herbs as well. Try fresh parsley, basil, cilantro, chives, oregano, or a combination of herbs.

Dressing: Whisk in other flavors like lemon zest, Dijon mustard, or a teaspoon of pure maple syrup. Change it up however you see fit! (I prepare it oil-free, but you can add a tablespoon of good quality extra-virgin olive oil if desired.)

Other additions: Add other flavors like Kalamata olives, dairy-free feta cheese, pine nuts, slivered almonds, or pistachios for crunch.

Serving

This nourishing chickpea quinoa salad holds up well, so it's perfect for meal prep and packed lunches. It's also great as a side dish, energizing lunch, light dinner, or sharing at summer gatherings, picnics, barbecues, or potlucks.

Making in advance: Feel free to add the avocado right before serving to help keep it fresh. Though I usually don't bother with this, and add it right away. (I find the lemon juice in the dressing helps to keep it from browning.)

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I find it keeps well for about 4-5 days. It does make a large batch (about 8-9 cups) so reduce if desired.

For more inspiration, also browse all vegan quinoa recipes or salad recipes.

If you're enjoying this Quinoa Chickpea Salad recipe with dill, also check out:

• Mexican Quinoa Salad with Cumin Lime Dressing
• Creamy Dill Dressing
• Vegan Italian Chopped Salad with Zesty Dressing

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