Toasted Quinoa and Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-25 · Updated 2026-04-25

A nutty toasted quinoa and chickpea salad tossed in a bright lemon-tahini dressing for a refreshing and filling vegetarian meal. This mediterranean (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs quinoa, chickpeas, cooked, olive oil 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 quinoa
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed chickpeas, cooked
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water, then toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly golden. Transfer to a pot with 2 cups water and a pinch of salt, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
2. Step 2: While quinoa cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until chickpeas are warmed through and slightly crisp on the edges.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp tahini, 1 minced garlic clove, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and creamy.
4. Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, sautéed chickpeas, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Pour the lemon-tahini dressing over and toss gently until everything is well coated.