Zesty Chickpea Blueberry Salad Recipe: Summer’s Fresh Delight

Summer’s vibrant colors burst forth in this delightful chickpea blueberry salad recipe that balances sweet and tangy flavors.

Juicy blueberries dance alongside hearty chickpeas, creating a refreshing medley of textures and nutrients.

Each bite promises a delectable blend of protein-packed legumes and antioxidant-rich berries.

The salad comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for quick lunches or elegant gatherings.

Crisp herbs and a zesty dressing add depth to this wholesome combination.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this salad offers a nutritious twist on classic summer fare.

You’ll love how easily this dish comes together, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Dive into this colorful creation and let your taste buds celebrate a nutritious culinary adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 5

Chickpea Blueberry Salad Ingredient Breakdown

• Mixed Greens: Crisp foundation that adds vibrant color and nutrient-packed freshness with delicate texture.
• Red Cabbage: Crunchy vegetable that brings beautiful purple hues and robust nutritional punch with delightful crispness.

• Chickpeas, Hemp Seeds: Protein-rich ingredients offering hearty substance and delightful nutty undertones with incredible nutritional benefits.
• Dried Cranberries, Raisins: Sweet dried fruits that contribute delectable bursts of flavor and natural sweetness with chewy texture.

• Tahini: Creamy sesame seed paste that creates luxurious, smooth base with rich Middle Eastern inspired flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweetener bringing gentle caramel-like undertones and balanced richness to the dressing.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds tangy complexity and helps emulsify dressing with zesty freshness.
• Garlic Powder: Subtle aromatic seasoning enhancing overall depth with mild, sophisticated flavor profile.
• Sea Salt: Essential mineral that elevates and balances entire dish's taste with delicate seasoning.
• Water: Crucial liquid for adjusting dressing consistency and creating perfect creamy texture.

• Blueberries: Juicy berries delivering vibrant color and antioxidant-rich sweetness with elegant natural flavor.

Tools to Toss This Salad Together

• Whisk: Essential for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and creating creamy texture.
• Medium mixing bowl: Perfect for combining tahini maple dressing ingredients.
• Large mixing bowl: Ideal for preparing salad components or mixing ingredients together.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately portion chickpeas, blueberries, and other salad ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Precise for measuring maple syrup, salt, and garlic powder.
• Sharp knife: Needed for finely slicing red cabbage and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for chopping and preparing vegetables.

Directions to Mix Protein & Fruit

• Tahini Maple Magic

Create a luscious, creamy dressing by blending tahini with zesty lemon juice, water, sweet maple syrup, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth sauce that drizzles perfectly.

• Colorful Salad Canvas

Layer a bed of crisp mixed greens with vibrant red cabbage ribbons. Scatter a rainbow of dried cranberries, nutty hemp seeds, protein-packed chickpeas, and juicy blueberries across the greens.

• Flavor Finale

Generously cascade the golden tahini maple dressing over the salad, allowing each ingredient to glisten with creamy goodness. Serve immediately to capture the fresh, bright essence of this wholesome dish.

Flavor Adjustments and Additions

• Replace mixed greens with baby spinach, arugula, or kale for different nutrient profiles and flavor dimensions.
• Add grilled chicken, tofu, or hard-boiled eggs to transform this salad into a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Sprinkle toasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds for an incredible textural contrast and nutty undertone.
• Replace blueberries with strawberries, raspberries, or mandarin orange segments depending on availability and personal preference.

How to Serve This Refreshing Dish

• Mediterranean Picnic Platter: Arrange the salad components on a large wooden board with additional mezze like hummus, olives, and pita bread for a stunning shared meal experience.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the salad into a hearty lunch by adding grilled tofu, quinoa, or roasted chicken strips on top for extra protein and substance.
• Summer Garden Party Presentation: Serve in clear glass bowls to showcase the colorful layers, garnish with fresh mint leaves or edible flowers for an elegant touch that delights guests.
• Wellness Lunch Prep: Pack the dressing separately in small containers, keeping greens crisp and fresh for a nutritious grab-and-go meal that stays delicious throughout the day.

Best Ways to Keep This Salad Fresh

• Meal Freshness Strategies: Refrigerate assembled salad without dressing for up to 3 days in an airtight container to maintain crisp vegetables and prevent sogginess.
• Dressing Smart Storage: Keep tahini maple dressing separately in a sealed glass jar inside the refrigerator, which stays fresh for 5-7 days without losing its creamy texture.
• Ingredient Separation Technique: Store chickpeas, blueberries, and greens in different compartments to prevent moisture transfer and maintain individual ingredient quality.
• Batch Preparation Hack: Create multiple salad components ahead of time – chop cabbage, wash greens, and mix dressing – then quickly assemble when ready to eat, saving significant meal preparation time.

Vibrant Chickpea Blueberry Salad

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Mediterranean chickpea blueberry salad combines fresh ingredients for a delightful flavor experience. Crisp herbs, tangy feta, and juicy blueberries create a refreshing dish you’ll crave all summer long.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 8 cups (1.9 L) mixed salad greens (arugula or baby spinach)
• 4 cups (0.95 L) finely sliced red cabbage
• 1 (19 oz or 540 g) can chickpeas
• 2 cups (300 g) fresh blueberries
• 1 cup (150 g) dried cranberries or raisins
• 12 tbsps (180 g) hemp seeds
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) tahini
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) water
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) maple syrup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dressing Creation: Whisk tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, garlic powder, and sea salt into a silky, pourable emulsion, adjusting liquid content to achieve a smooth, cascading consistency.
2. Salad Assembly: Layer mixed greens as the foundational base, artfully distributing red cabbage ribbons for color and crunch, then intersperse dried cranberries, hemp seeds, and chickpeas throughout the verdant landscape.
3. Fruity Finale: Gently place fresh blueberries across the salad, creating vibrant pockets of sweet juiciness.
4. Dressing Application: Drizzle the prepared tahini maple dressing generously, ensuring each ingredient receives a delicate coating that enhances the salad’s complex flavor profile.
5. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately to maintain the salad’s optimal texture and freshness, allowing the ingredients to harmonize and showcase their individual characteristics.

Notes

Customize Dressing Consistency: Gradually add water to tahini mixture, creating a perfect pour-over texture that coats ingredients smoothly without becoming too runny.

Boost Nutritional Profile: Hemp seeds provide essential omega-3 fatty acids and complete protein, elevating the salad’s health benefits with minimal effort.

Color and Texture Strategy: Layer red cabbage and blueberries purposefully to create visual appeal and varied mouthfeel, transforming an ordinary salad into a stunning dish.

Serving Tip: Prepare components separately and assemble just before serving to maintain crisp textures and prevent wilting of delicate greens and herbs.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg