Some days you just don’t want to stand at the stove, and that’s exactly when this salad earns its keep. It’s built on protein-rich chickpeas and creamy avocado, tossed with crisp vegetables in a bright lime-cumin dressing that ties the whole bowl together. It’s naturally gluten-free, holds up well for meal prep, and takes just 10 minutes from fridge to fork.
What You’ll Need
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- 1 large English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- For the dressing: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
How to Put It Together
1. Prep your base ingredients
Rinse the drained chickpeas under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel — drier chickpeas hold the dressing better instead of diluting it. Toss the chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped red onion into a large mixing bowl.
2. Whisk the zippy dressing
In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously until it fully emulsifies and comes together into one smooth mixture.
3. Add the avocado and dressing
Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture. Add the diced avocados and chopped cilantro to the bowl last, right before tossing.
4. Toss gently and serve
Using a large spoon or silicone spatula, toss gently to combine everything. Be careful not to mash the avocado — you want the pieces to stay intact and simply get coated in the dressing, not turned into guacamole. Serve right away, or chill it in the fridge if you’d rather have it cold.
Prep Note: If you’re making this ahead of time, squeeze a little extra lime juice directly over the diced avocado before adding it to the bowl — it slows down the browning noticeably.
Nutritional Information
Per generous serving (serves about 4)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 295 |
| Protein | 7 grams |
| Total Fat | 19 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 26 grams |
| Total Fiber | 9 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams |
| Sodium | 310 milligrams |