Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (2024)

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ByLaura Lawless, BASc Published Last updated

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This quinoa chickpea salad is like summer in a bowl and comes together in less than 30 minutes! Quinoa and chickpeas are tossed with fresh cucumbers, crisp bell peppers and crunchy carrots, then drizzled with a light lemon dill dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks and a side dish during BBQ season.

If you’re a fan of quinoa salad and looking for more ideas, check out my Almond Apple Quinoa Salad!

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (1)

Quinoa salad is one of my all-time favourite easy recipes. I have been making variations of this recipe for years, and it’s always a crowd pleaser. If I’m having this quinoa chickpea salad as a meal by itself, I like to serve it on a bed of spinach or mixed field greens.

I especially love the flexibility of this recipe. I suggest my favourite mix ins below, but you can use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make it. See the recipe card below for exact quantities and detailed instructions. For the salad you’ll need

  • Quinoa
  • Cucumber–Iuse English cucumber, but you can also peel and seed a regular cucumber
  • Bell peppers–I prefer the sweeter flavour of red, yellow or orange pepper, rather than green pepper
  • Carrot
  • Green onion
  • Chickpeas– I used a 19oz can, but it’s fine to use a 15oz can. Use what you’ve got!

For the dressing you’ll need

  • Olive oil
  • Lemon juice– freshly squeezed
  • Fresh dill–chopped and to taste (see tip 2 below)
  • Fine-grain sea salt
  • Dijon mustard
  • Black pepper–to taste

Step-by-step instructions

Step one: Make the quinoa

  • With a dry measure, scoop one cup of quinoa into a medium sauce pan
  • Using the same measuring cup, add two cups of water to the quinoa
  • Place sauce pan over high heat and bring to a boil; once boiling, turn down to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes
  • After 15 minutes, remove from heat and let the quinoa rest for 5-10 minutes
  • Fluff with a fork

Step two: Prepare the mix ins

  • While the quinoa is cooking, rinse and drain the chickpeas (be sure they drain well or the residual water could dilute the flavour of the dressing)
  • Wash and chop all the vegetables and dill
  • Place the vegetables and chickpeas in a large bowl
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (2)

Step three: Prepare the dressing

  • In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, fresh dill, salt, Dijon mustard and black pepper. Stir well.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (3)

Step four: Prepare the salad

  • Add the fluffed quinoa to the large bowl with the vegetables and chickpeas
  • Pour on the prepared dressing and stir until the quinoa is well coated
  • Refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes or more to allow the flavours to blend (optional, but recommended)
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (4)

Tips for success

  1. Be sure to rinse the quinoa if it doesn’t come pre-washed to avoid undesirable flavour and texture. I like to buy a pre-washed variety to save time.
  2. You can use more or less dill in the dressing, depending on your taste. I found one tablespoon gave only a hint of dill, so I increased the amount to two tablespoons. Play with the amount to suit your taste!
  3. I find this salad tastes even better when made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for meal prep. I like to make this salad a few hours before serving, to allow the flavours to blend together. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (5)

Other recipes you may enjoy

  • Slow Cooker Potato and Chickpea Tikka Masala
  • Thai Pumpkin Curry
  • Southwest Sweet Potato, Kale and Black Bean Skillet
  • Moroccan Couscous with Sweet Potato and Chickpeas
  • Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (6)

Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing

Laura Lawless, BASc

This quinoa chickpea salad is like summer in a bowl and comes together in less than 30 minutes! Quinoa and chickpeas are tossed with fresh cucumbers, crisp bell peppers and crunchy carrots, then drizzled with a light lemon dill dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks and a side dish during BBQ season.

5 from 3 votes

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Servings 6

Calories 370

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Ingredients

For the salad

  • 1 cup quinoa (uncooked)
  • 1 1/2 cups cucumber (chopped into 1/4-inch thick quarters)
  • 2 bell peppers, small dice (red, yellow, or orange)
  • 1 cup carrot, small dice (about 2 medium carrots)
  • 1/4 cup green onion, chopped (white and light green part only)
  • 1 19oz can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

For the dressing

Instructions

  • In a medium sauce pan, cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

  • While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the cucumber, bell peppers, carrot, green onion and chickpeas. Place in a large bowl.

  • Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar.

  • Add the cooked quinoa to the vegetables and chickpeas in the large bowl, pour the dressing on top and stir until well combined. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

  1. Be sure to rinse the quinoa if it doesn’t come pre-washed to avoid undesirable flavour and texture. I like to buy a pre-washed variety to save time.
  2. You can use more or less dill in the dressing, depending on your taste. I found one tablespoon gave only a hint of dill, so I increased the amount to two tablespoons. Play with the amount to suit your taste!
  3. I find this salad tastes even better when made ahead of time, so it’s perfect for meal prep. I like to make this salad a few hours before serving, to allow the flavours to blend together. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to eat.

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 563mg | Potassium: 508mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4880IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

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Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (7)

Hey, I’m Laura!

Creator of The Recipe Well

If you’re looking for easy meals and Instant Pot recipes, you’re in the right place! I use my nutrition degree to create simple, approachable recipes that will help you find your happy place in the kitchen.

More about me
Quinoa Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing - The Recipe Well (2024)

FAQs

How long does quinoa salad last in the fridge? ›

Make ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Why is chickpea salad good for you? ›

Chickpeas are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fats and have a low GI. Potential benefits of chickpeas include helping control blood sugar, manage weight, and support heart and gut health. Chickpeas are versatile, so you can add them to many savory or sweet meals and snacks.

Is it okay to eat quinoa salad everyday? ›

A study by the Harvard Public School of Health stated that eating a bowl of quinoa daily may reduce the chances of early death risk from cancer, heart disease, respiratory ailments, diabetes, and other chronic diseases by 17%.

What is the best time to eat chickpea salad? ›

Normally I like to eat this salad for lunch over mixed greens or spinach but you can also enjoy it as is. It's full of plant-based protein from chickpeas, a great option to pack for lunch, or even as an easy side dish for a BBQ or potluck, so let's do it up!

What happens to your body when you eat chickpeas? ›

Chickpeas are high in dietary fiber, especially a soluble fiber called raffinose. The good bacteria in your gut breaks this down so your colon can digest it slowly. Studies have found that eating more chickpeas can help make bowel movements easier and more regular. They can help lower cholesterol.

What happens if I only eat chickpeas everyday? ›

You can eat at least one serving (28 grams) of chickpeas per day. However, don't eat more than 70 grams a day since that can cause adverse side effects. If you consume too many chickpeas, some side effects you may get include bloating, nausea, and gas.

Can you eat quinoa after 7 days? ›

How long does cooked quinoa last in the fridge? With proper storage, the shelf life of quinoa is 5 days in the refrigerator. Always check it when you remove it from the refrigerator and if there are any off smells or visible signs of mold or a milk liquid present, you should discard it.

Can I eat 5 day old quinoa? ›

In an airtight container, cooked quinoa can last safely for 5 to 7 days. Uncooked quinoa also benefits from refrigerated storage; when kept in a tightly sealed container, it can extend its shelf life well beyond its expiration date.

Can I eat 4 day old quinoa? ›

Cooked quinoa, if stored in an airtight container, can last for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. But, it is recommended to consume quinoa before 4 days to not lose the quality.

How long is quinoa good in refrigerator? ›

A rival to rice or barley, quinoa can be cooked in batches as your carb of choice for the week. This way, you can store the cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to five days. Once it's cooled down, put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator, ensuring the tub is well sealed.

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