Naturally vegan and gluten free, this smashed chickpea salad is made with diced celery, minced red onion, bright lemon juice, and fragrant fresh dill.

With the heat of summer coming up, you might be looking for more fresh recipes that don’t require the use of a stove or oven. This delicious Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill is a great, fresh side dish or healthy snack. Made with easily accessible ingredients, this salad is bright, fragrant, and flavorful. And since it’s both gluten free and vegan, everyone can enjoy it!
Ingredients
- Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, they have a slew of health benefits. They contain a ton of nutrients, including protein, making them a great choice for vegans.
- Celery: A great source of fiber, it also gives the dish a great crunch.
- Red Onion: Red onions are on the milder side with a slightly sweet taste, which makes them great for dishes like this salad where they are eaten raw.
- Fresh Dill: Responsible for the distinct taste in ranch dressing, dill has a sweet, aromatic flavor, and is a great herb used to elevate various dishes.
- Parsley: I love using Italian parsley because it has a more robust flavor, adding more than just color and decoration to the salad.
- Olive Oil: The perfect oil to dress any salad, it adds just a hint of nutty, bitterness.
- Lemon: The bright star of the salad, lemon is the perfect citrus to balance the rest of the fresh flavors in the dish.
How to Make a Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill

To begin your Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill, start by emptying your can of chickpeas into a strainer, and washing them.

After your chickpeas are washed, empty them into a bowl. Using a potato masher, smash them until about half of the chickpeas look smashed.

Once your chickpeas are good and smashed, zest a lemon over the top of them.

Once you’ve zested your lemon, cut it in half and juice the lemon into the bowl.

Letting your chickpeas sit in the lemon juice for a moment, mince your celery, onion, fresh dill, and fresh parsley in preparation for adding them to the salad.

Add all of your freshly minced produce to the bowl on top of the chickpeas.

Drizzle olive oil over the top of everything, and season with some salt and pepper.

Toss all of your ingredients together, and voila! You have your finished smashed chickpea salad.

After tasting your salad, feel free to add more lemon juice or salt and pepper as desired. Then serve and enjoy your Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are chickpeas carbs or protein?
Can you eat chickpeas without boiling?
What do you eat with chickpea salad?
More Gluten Free Recipes
- Almond Flour Raspberry Muffins
- Zucchini Zoodles with Sausage and Kale
- Spicy Corn Skillet with Garlic and Chilis
- Vegan Chickpea Curry (Jamaican Style)
- Quinoa Pilaf with Mirepoix
- Bulgur Wheat Salad with Dried Cherries and Feta
Eat It, Like It, Share It!
Did you try this salad and love it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Just looking at this salad makes me happy. With such bright colors and fresh ingredients, protein from the chickpeas, fiber from the celery, and more nutrients from the herbs, it’ll be a hit with anyone.
No fork required.
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Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill?
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Smashed Chickpea Salad with Dill
Ingredients
- 15 ounces canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 2 stalks celery (minced)
- ½ cup red onion (minced)
- ¼ cup fresh dill (minced)
- ¼ cup parsley (minced)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Place drained and rinsed chickpeas in a large bowl and gently mash them until they're about halfway mashed.
- Zest lemon over the chickpeas then slice in half and juice the lemon into the bowl. Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss well. Check for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Serve room temperature or chill to enjoy later.
Last Step:
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