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Kristyn's

Fast & Fresh Chickpea Salmon Salad

This Fast & Fresh Chickpea Salmon or Tuna Salad is a protein-packed, no-cook summer meal with chickpeas, fresh vegetables, creamy cheese, and a bright lemony dressing. Perfect for meal prep, picnics, potlucks, and busy weeknights!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Lemon Dressing
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1–2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
Salad
  • 2 15–16 oz cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 4 green onions sliced
  • 1 12 oz can salmon or tuna, drained and chunked
  • ½ cup roasted red pepper chopped
  • ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • ½ cup goat cheese feta, or mozzarella, broken into chunks
Optional Add-Ins
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Olives
  • Beets
  • Fresh basil
  • Fresh dill
  • Swiss chard or mixed greens

Method
 

  1. Add lemon juice, garlic, cumin, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a Mason jar. Secure the lid and shake until combined.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine chickpeas, green onions, roasted red pepper, parsley, and any other vegetables or herbs you're using.
  3. Pour the lemon dressing over the chickpea mixture and gently stir to combine.
  4. Allow the mixture to rest for 15 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate overnight.
  5. Just before serving, gently fold in the drained salmon or tuna and cheese.
  6. Top with additional fresh herbs and black pepper.
  7. Serve with crackers, toasted sourdough, or over mixed greens.

Notes

Storage
Store covered in the refrigerator. For the freshest texture, keep the salmon or tuna, cheese, and watery vegetables separate until ready to serve.
For best quality, enjoy within 2–3 days.
Notes
This recipe is meant to be flexible! Swap the vegetables, herbs, cheese, or protein based on what you have available. For the best make-ahead results, prepare the chickpea mixture and dressing ahead of time and add the remaining ingredients just before serving.
By Kristyn