Gluten-Free Quinoa and Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-27 · Updated 2026-04-27

A refreshing gluten-free salad featuring protein-rich quinoa and chickpeas, tossed in a bright lemon-tahini dressing perfect for a healthy lunch or side. This Mediterranean-inspired gluten-free recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, canned chickpeas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 cup, rinsed quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 2 tbsp water (for dressing)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1 cup rinsed quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) drained chickpeas, 1 diced medium cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tbsp water, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: Add the cooled quinoa to the vegetable mixture, pour the dressing over, and toss gently to combine. Chill for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.