BBQ Chickpea Tangy Salad (Printable)

Smoky BBQ chickpeas combined with fresh vegetables and a zesty dressing create a vibrant, protein-packed salad.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chickpeas

01 - 2 cups (1 can, 15 oz) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (vegan and gluten-free if required)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 cup bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
07 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
12 - 1 tsp maple syrup
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How-To:

01 - In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, combine chickpeas and BBQ sauce. Cook, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and coats the chickpeas, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
02 - In a large salad bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, shredded carrots, and chopped cilantro or parsley.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until well combined.
04 - Add the cooled BBQ chickpeas to the vegetable mix. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in twenty-five minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • Protein-packed chickpeas keep you full without the heaviness of a cooked meal.
  • The smoky BBQ flavor makes this feel indulgent even though it's genuinely good for you.
02 -
  • Cooling the BBQ chickpeas before mixing prevents them from wilting the fresh vegetables and breaking down the crisp texture you worked for.
  • The smoked paprika is not optional—it's the difference between a plain bean salad and something people actually get excited about.
03 -
  • A spicy BBQ sauce transforms this into something with real heat if you want that kick, or you can add fresh diced jalapeño for controlled fire.
  • Letting the assembled salad chill for thirty minutes before serving deepens all the flavors and lets everything get to know each other.
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