Citrus Salad with Chickpeas

This citrus salad with chickpeas and veggie confetti is a healthy, colorful, vegan, and gluten-free salad. This citrus salad is my version of the tri-colored chickpea salad that they sell pre-made at Costco and Wegman’s.  It’s bright and cheery, makes a beautiful side dish, and it’s the perfect summer salad to bring to a potluck or picnic! This fresh-tasting salad can be made ahead of time and works great for meal prep and lunches too!

You will LOVE this citrus salad because it’s…

• quick and easy to make.
• bursting with fresh flavors from oranges, limes, and fresh herbs.
• the perfect dish to bring to a summer picnic!
• great for making ahead and meal prepping lunches!
• kid-friendly and allergy-free!

What you will need to make this Citrus Salad…

• Chickpeas – You will need about 3 cups (or 3 cans) of cooked, drained and rinsed chickpeas. 
• Red Pepper – 1 medium-sized bell pepper.  Orange or yellow will also work, but red makes it more colorful.
• Corn – Frozen corn works the best.
• Red Onion – This is optional, but adds a lot of flavor and color.  Be sure to soak the diced onion in some water for 5-10 minutes.  This will mellow the flavor of the onion.
• Green Onions – A few stalks of green onion add a lot of flavor and color.
• Cilantro – This is also optional, but if you like the flavor of cilantro, it’s highly recommended.  The cilantro and lime juice taste amazing together!
• Orange Juice – You can use it from the carton or fresh squeezed.
• Lime Juice – Fresh squeezed tastes the best!  You will need about 1-3 limes depending on the size and how much juice they have in them.
• Oil – (Optional) This helps to make the dressing rich and creamy.  Canola oil gives it the best flavor. (You can leave out the oil, but the dressing with not be creamy).
• Agave – To sweeten the dressing. You can use sugar, maple syrup or whatever sweetener that you wish, but like like the flavor of agave with the citrus.
• Vinegar – To give the dressing acidity. 
• Salt – For flavor.  

How do I make this citrus salad with chickpeas?

1. Dice the red onion, then place it in a small bowl and cover with water. Let them soak while you prepare the rest.
2. Drain and rinse chickpeas and place them in a salad bowl.
3. Wash and dice the red pepper and add it to the bowl.
4. Chop the fresh herbs and add them to the bowl.
5. Add frozen corn.
6. Drain the red onion that has been soaking and add it to the salad.

Make the citrus dressing:

1. Add the orange juice, lime juice, agave, oil, vinegar, and salt into a blender.
2. Blend for about 20 seconds until creamy.  (The acid in the vinegar, orange and lime juice interacts with the oil and turns it white and creamy when blended).
3. Pour over the salad and mix well.

Is this salad good for lunches and meal prep?

Yes! Make a big batch and use it for a quick and easy lunch food prep.  It keeps well in the fridge for about 3 days and it’s one of those salads that tastes better if it has at least a few hours to sit and soak up the flavors.  If you have a pot picnic or pot luck, just make it the night before and it will be perfect the next day.

Chickpea Citrus Confetti Salad is one of those meals that is great to make up and keep in the fridge for healthy snacks, easy lunches, or a satisfying side.  The protein from the chickpeas fills you up while the lime and cilantro combo hits the spot!  I know that there are people who hate cilantro, and if you are one of them, just leave it out.  I personally think that lime and cilantro are totally addicting!

Making it kid-friendly…

Kids like it because it is colorful and fun!  The sweetness of the orange juice and the agave nectar keep them eating it up.  Add a little more sweetener and leave out the strong flavors of the onions and/or cilantro to make it more kid-friendly.

If you love this recipe, check out my other easy make-ahead summer salads!

• Easy Chickpea Garlic Vinaigrette Salad
• Vegan Potato Salad
• Vegan Bean Salad – Southwest Style
• Easy Quinoa and Kale with Mushrooms

Don’t forget to save all of that liquid that you drain off of the chickpeas!  That liquid is aquafaba and it can make some amazing desserts! 

Just look at what you can make…

• Aquafaba Ice-Cream – No Churn Vegan Ice-Cream
• Vegan Lemon Meringue Pie
• Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse
• Aquafaba Whipped Cream – Vegan Cool Whip

Follow me on Instagram for daily vegan inspiration and clickable links to all my recipes! 

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Citrus Salad with Chickpeas

Prep Time

15 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

A slightly sweet summery citrus salad made with chickpeas and finely chopped veggies.  Vegan, gluten free, and soy free.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, gluten free, vegan

Keyword: chickpeas salad, citrus salad, vegan chickpea salad

Servings: 10

Calories: 94 kcal

Author: Monica Davis | The Hidden Veggies

Ingredients

• 3 cans chickpeas drained and rinsed (about 3 cups)
• 1 ½ cups corn fresh or frozen
• 1 small red pepper chopped
• ¼ cup red onion chopped and soaked in water
• 3 stalks green onions
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro chopped

Dressing:

• ¼ cup orange juice
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp agave nectar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp white or red wine vinegar
• ¼ cup canola oil

Instructions

Make the Salad:

1. Chop the red onion and then put it in a bowl with enough water to cover it. Set aside for a few minutes. (This will mellow the flavor of the onion).

2. Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas and put them into a large bowl.

3. Chop red pepper, cilantro, and green onions into tiny pieces and toss in with the chickpeas.

4. Drain the water off of the onion and add to the salad.

Make the Dressing:

1. Put the orange juice, lime, agave, salt, and vinegar into a blender and blend for about 20 seconds, until creamy.

2. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and mix well.

3. Serve immediately or cover and place in the fridge to eat later. 

Recipe Notes

• It can be eaten immediately, but the flavors mix and it tastes better if it is allowed to sit in the fridge for a least a few hours or overnight. 
• This citrus salad keeps well for 3 days in the fridge.
• Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or lunches!
• You can leave out the oil for an oil-free salad - it will just not be as creamy. 

Nutrition Facts

Citrus Salad with Chickpeas

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 94 Calories from Fat 54

% Daily Value*

Fat 6g9%

Sodium 118mg5%

Potassium 94mg3%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 370IU7%

Vitamin C 15.8mg19%

Calcium 3mg0%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Updated March 28, 2019, from the original post on April 20, 2017, to include new pictures and updated information.