Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing
A hearty salad with spiced chickpeas, cucumbers, and a creamy avocado dressing that's both rich and refreshing. This middle eastern-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 15 minutes blends (15 oz), drained and rinsed chickpeas, medium, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 290 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed chickpeas
- 1 medium, diced cucumber
- 1/2, finely chopped red onion
- 1, mashed avocado
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine chickpeas, cucumber, and red onion. In a separate bowl, mash avocado and mix with lime juice, honey, cumin, coriander, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Step 2: Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss until well coated. Chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve cold.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Backdoor Spiced Chickpea Salad with Avocado Dressing vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
