If you're looking for a salad that is genuinely satisfying, this Crunchy Chickpea Cabbage Salad is the recipe to make. Packed with chickpeas, crisp cabbage, fresh vegetables and a creamy tahini feta dressing, it's fresh, flavourful and substantial enough to enjoy as a meal on its own. Every bite is loaded with texture from crunchy vegetables, creamy dressing and protein rich chickpeas.
It's the sort of salad that works equally well as a quick lunch, meal prep recipe or side dish for barbecues, picnics and family gatherings.
The tahini jalapeno dressing is what really makes this salad special. Creamy, tangy and packed with flavour, it brings all the ingredients together beautifully. This salad is inspired by the Farmer J salad and it is delicious!
Read more: Roast Chickpea Cabbage Salad with Tahini Dressing and FetaWhy You'll Love This Recipe
- Packed with protein and fibre
- Perfect for meal prep
- Fresh, crunchy and satisfying
- Easy to customise
- Great for lunches and light dinners
- Comes together in under 20 minutes
Ingredients You'll Need
Cabbage and Red Onion
Cabbage and Red Onion form the crunchy base of this salad and hold up exceptionally well once dressed, making it perfect for meal prep and packed lunches.
Chickpeas
Roasting the chickpeas with za'atar, smoked paprika and allspice transforms them from a simple pantry ingredient into crispy, flavour-packed crouton-like bites.
Feta
Feta brings creaminess and saltiness to the salad. Its tangy flavour pairs beautifully with the nutty tahini dressing.
Pickled Vegetables
The combination of pickled onions, jalapeños and gherkins gives the salad layers of acidity and flavour that keep every bite interesting.
Tahini
Tahini creates a rich, creamy dressing without the need for mayonnaise. Its nutty flavour works beautifully with the Middle Eastern-inspired ingredients.
Mixed Seeds
A handful of mixed seeds adds extra crunch, texture and nutrition while making the salad even more satisfying.
How to Make Crunchy Chickpea Cabbage Salad
Step 1 -Roast Chickpeas
Add the Chickpeas, Olive Oil, Zataar, All Spice, Smoked Paprika and Salt to an oven tray and mix with your hands. The tray does not have to be lined but it makes clean up easier. Roast at 220 C/Gas Mark 7 for 25 minutes.
Step 2 - Prepare the Vegetables
Chop the Veg and add to a bowl.
Step 3 - Make the Tahini Feta Dressing
Blend or whisk together the Tahini, Olive Oil, Lemon juice, Garlic, All Spice, Sumac and Sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add water if needed to loosen the dressing.
Step 4 - Assemble the Salad
Add the chickpeas and vegetables to a large bowl.
Pour over the dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Step 5 - Serve
Transfer to a serving bowl and finish with extra feta, herbs and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Tips for the Best Chickpea Cabbage Salad
Finely Shred the Cabbage
Thinly sliced cabbage creates the best texture and absorbs the dressing more evenly.
Let the Salad Sit
Allowing the salad to rest for 10 minutes before serving helps the flavours meld together.
Adjust the Dressing Consistency
Tahini thickens naturally, so add a little water if needed to create a pourable dressing.
Variations
Add Avocado
For extra creaminess and healthy fats.
Add Pomegranate
For sweetness.
Add Grilled Chicken
For an even higher protein meal.
Add Toasted Nuts
Add flavoured Almonds, pistachios or walnuts add even more crunch.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Because cabbage holds its texture well, this salad is ideal for meal prep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes. This salad actually improves after sitting for a few hours in the fridge.
Is This Good for Meal Prep?
Absolutely. The cabbage remains crisp and the dressing holds up well.
Can I Use Another Bean?
Yes. Butter beans, cannellini beans or lentils work well too.
What to Serve with Chickpea Cabbage Salad
- Air Fryer chicken
- Lamb koftas
- Falafel
- Flatbreads
- Adana Kebab
- Roast vegetables
More Salad Recipes You May Like
Olive, Walnut and Pomegranate Salad
Easy Lebanese Fattoush Salad with Pomegranate
Easy Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
The BEST Roast Pumpkin Salad with Tahini Dressing
Did you make this recipe? i'd love to hear about it! did you try any variations? if you loved this recipe/tried any variations/have some top tips, please comment below. Your reviews make our day and your tips help others to find our recipes and enjoy them too! you can also follow us on instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest recipes.
📖 Recipe
Roast Chickpea Cabbage Salad with Tahini Dressing and Feta
Ingredients
Za'atar Roasted Chickpeas
- 400 g Chickpea tin drained and chickpeas patted dry
- 1 - 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Za'atar
- ½ teaspoon All Spice
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Salad
- ½ large White Cabbage Shredded
- ½ Cucumber or 2 Lebanese Cucumbers, Sliced into half moons
- 1 Green Pepper Diced
- 2 Sliced Gherkins Sliced
- 2 heaped tbsp Pickled Jalapeno Slices Sliced
- 3 tablespoon Pickled Pink Onions Available in all supermarkets
- Small Handful Parsley Chopped
- 200 g Feta Crumbled
- Handful Mixed Seeds
Dressing
- ⅓ cup Tahini
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 small Garlic Clove crushed
- ¼ teaspoon All Spice
- Large Pinch Sumac
- Pinch Sugar
- 2 - 3 tablespoon Water If needed for the dressing
Instructions
Step 1 - Roast the Chickpeas
- Add the Chickpeas, Olive Oil, Zataar, All Spice, Smoked Paprika and Salt to an oven tray and mix with your hands. The tray does not have to be lined but it makes clean up easier. Roast at 220 C/Gas Mark 7 for 25 minutes.
Step 2 - Add Salad ingredients to a bowl
- Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl
Step 3 - Make the Dressing
- Blend or whisk together the Tahini, Olive Oil, Lemon juice, Garlic, All Spice, Sumac and Sugar until smooth and creamy.Add water if needed to loosen the dressing.
Step 4 - Assemble the Salad
- Add the chickpeas and vegetables to a large bowl.Pour over the dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Step 5 - Serve
- Transfer to a serving bowl and finish with extra feta, herbs and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Notes
Tips for the Best Chickpea Cabbage Salad
Finely Shred the Cabbage
Thinly sliced cabbage creates the best texture and absorbs the dressing more evenly.Let the Salad Sit
Allowing the salad to rest for 10 minutes before serving helps the flavours meld together.Adjust the Dressing Consistency
Tahini thickens naturally, so add a little water if needed to create a pourable dressing.Variations
Add Avocado
For extra creaminess and healthy fats.Add Pomegranate
For sweetness.Add Grilled Chicken
For an even higher protein meal.Add Toasted Nuts
Add flavoured Almonds, pistachios or walnuts add even more crunch.Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Because cabbage holds its texture well, this salad is ideal for meal prep.Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Ahead?
Yes. This salad actually improves after sitting for a few hours in the fridge.Is This Good for Meal Prep?
Absolutely. The cabbage remains crisp and the dressing holds up well.Can I Use Another Bean?
Yes. Butter beans, cannellini beans or lentils work well too.What to Serve with Chickpea Cabbage Salad
- Air Fryer chicken
- Lamb koftas
- Falafel
- Flatbreads
- Adana Kebab
- Roast vegetables
Leave a Reply