Fiber-Forward Chickpea Salad (Printable view)

Vibrant chickpea salad with cabbage, carrots, and creamy tahini-lemon dressing. Light and flavorful.

# What You Need:

→ 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 dressing
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make:

01 - In a large bowl, mix chickpeas, shredded cabbage, carrots, diced bell pepper, sliced green onions, parsley, and toasted sunflower seeds until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk 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 achieves a creamy and pourable consistency.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are well coated.
04 - Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 15 minutes, which means you can have lunch ready before you've finished your coffee.
  • The tahini dressing is so creamy it feels indulgent, but the whole bowl is packed with fiber and feels genuinely nourishing.
  • Leftovers only get better as the flavors settle, so you'll find yourself reaching for it all week.
02 -
  • Tahini can seize up if you add lemon juice all at once; whisk it in gradually and the dressing will reward you with perfect creaminess.
  • Don't dress the salad more than a few hours ahead if you want to keep the cabbage crisp—if you're meal-prepping, keep the dressing separate and toss everything together right before eating.
03 -
  • Toast your sunflower seeds in a dry pan for just 2 to 3 minutes before adding them—that quick step transforms them from bland to genuinely delicious.
  • If your tahini is thick and resistant when you start whisking, warm your bowl slightly under hot water first and it'll loosen up enough to work with without being thinned by lemon juice.
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