Gluten-Free Vegan Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-03 · Updated 2026-05-03

A refreshing and hearty gluten-free vegan salad featuring protein-packed chickpeas and crisp vegetables, tossed in a zesty lemon-tahini dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired pizza recipe (gluten-free, vegan), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs canned chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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

• 2 cups (drained and rinsed) canned chickpeas
• 1 medium, diced cucumber
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 small, finely chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 1, minced garlic clove
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• 3 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups drained and rinsed canned chickpeas, 1 medium diced cucumber, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1/4 small finely chopped red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Toss gently.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp maple syrup, 3 tbsp water, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed to achieve pourable consistency.
3. Step 3: Pour the lemon-tahini dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
4. Step 4: Let the salad sit for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if desired.