No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A hearty salad combining protein-rich chickpeas and fluffy quinoa tossed in a fragrant no-sugar spiced dressing for a satisfying meal. This Mediterranean-inspired vegan recipe (gluten free), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quinoa, water, canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 3 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 3/4 cup quinoa in a fine mesh sieve under cold water. In a small saucepan, combine quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water, bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until well combined.
  4. Step 4: Fluff quinoa with a fork and add to the chickpea mixture. Pour the spiced dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Frequently asked questions

How long does No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quinoa from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad?

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 No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 No-Sugar Spiced Chickpea and Quinoa Salad vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free, high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes