Think of this Chickpea Salad as a better-for-you potato salad, with a fresh Greek edge. Except – it can do so much more! Chickpeas toss with tzatziki dressing, use this to make protein-laden salad bowls, super-food sandwiches, serve as a side or scoop with crackers.
Tzatziki Chickpea Salad
Whether you think of this as chickpeas hidden in tzatziki, or tzatziki filled out with chickpeas, this big unassuming bowl of little white blobs is going to take you by surprise. It is really, really tasty. Which, given it’s made using canned chickpeas and we don’t “do anything” to them (like braise in a flavoured liquid or marinate them), is saying something from someone who wants to eat more legumes but is regularly disappointed by attempts to turn them into a simple tasty meal.
But this! It’s so good! Excellent side dish (I treat it like potato salad, great one to take to picnics) or blank canvass for so much more, from salads to scooping with crackers to stuffing into bread rolls.
All the ways you can enjoy this
I’ve popped a full section of all sorts of ways to eat this in a section below (lengthier than you would expect, so many ideas!). But to give you some initial inspiration, here it is in a protein-loaded meal-worthy-salad form, with some canned tuna. Mix it all up so it’s jumbled together, and eat with a spoon. Such great warm weather food!
And here it is, in Chickpea Salad Sandwich form, with smushed avocado on the base which kind of acts like a “glue” to keep more of the chickpeas in place. This was really, really good. So satisfying, and so moreish!
There’s plenty more ideas in the section below, so for now, let me show you how simple this is to make. And if you’re already thinking – ugh, do I have to buy a whole bunch of dill just for this??! The answer is – highly recommended, but I have alternatives. Tried and approved!
Ingredients in Tzatziki Chickpea Salad
Tzatziki ingredients + canned chickpeas + a bit of desirable crunch from celery + much needed briny pops from capers = simple, yet oh-so-good!
Chickpeas – I use canned for convenience though it’s extra good if you cook your own chickpeas because it’s got a firmness to it that you never get with canned chickpeas. I’ve popped directions in the recipe notes.
Celery – Finely sliced, for a bit of crunch which I felt this needed. I also like that because it’s pale green, you can barely see it in the salad. You could substitute with finely sliced cucumber (for a double cucumber hit!!).
Capers – This adds tang, freshness and salt so it kind of does the work of what a handful of other ingredients would do, like red onion or green onion which I’d ordinarily include for some freshness. Great shortcut here because you don’t need much (just 2 tablespoons), and melds nicely into the tzatziki!
Yogurt – Greek yogurt is best (thicker, richer), else a Greek style yogurt or a plain unsweetened yogurt.
Cucumbers – You need 2 regular cucumbers about 18cm / 7″ long, or one long Telegraph/English cucumber about 30cm / 12″ long. Goal:3/4 cup cucumber after shredding and squeezing out the excess water.
Lemon juice – For a touch of fresh tang.
Extra virgin olive oil – I use a little more in this recipe than I use when making regular tzatziki, so it’s got an edge of dressing-like richness (because this is intended to be a salad).
Fresh dill – This really elevates this dish, so highly recommended! Mint is also terrific, though use about half the quantity. If you don’t have either or they are outrageously priced, substitute with green onion plus garlic and onion powder which gives it a ranch-dressing edge instead.
Garlic – It’s not tzatziki without garlic! Use one large clove or 2 regular size ones.
How to make Tzatziki Chickpea Salad
Really try to squeeze as much water as you can out of the cucumber else it will dilute the tzatziki and make it watery.
Grate the cucumber using a standard box grater.
Squeeze as much water as you can out of the cucumber. I use a tea towel but you can use your hands, working one small handful at a time.
Quantity – We wanted 3/4 to 1 cup cucumber after the water has been squeezed out. Slightly more that what I use for tzatziki so it makes it a little chunkier which is a deliberate choice because this recipe is intended to be a salad.
Put all the tzatziki ingredients in a large bowl (cucumber, yogurt, dill, capers, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper).
Mix until combined.
Chickpeas – Then add the chickpeas and celery and mix it through.
Then that’s it! You can eat it straight away though I like to leave it for at least 1 hour to let the flavours meld (the flavour of the capers and garlic spreads throughout the yogurt better) and it’s even better the next day.
How I eat this Tzatziki Chickpea Salad
I treat this as a side dish that goes with just about any protein (chicken, pork, fish, prawns/shrimp, lamb) and a blank canvas for so much more! Here are some ideas:
Side-dish – Serve it like you would a potato salad. Except, point out to the eaters that it’s better for you! 😂 No mayo, and more nutritional value in the chickpeas than potato. Also, this is a two-in-one that combines both starch (chickpeas) and a respectable amount of greens (cucumbers and celery);
Meal salad (see photo at top) – Add canned tuna, boiled egg, or sliced, chopped or shredded poached chicken for a protein loaded good-for-you meal that will keep you feeling full (thank you Mr Chickpeas!);
Chickpea salad sandwich (see photo at top) – It’s so good! I like to add some avocado which kind of acts like a glue to keep the chickpeas in place. Try this in a wrap (you’ll see me do this in the video), bread rolls (see photo above) or yes! Regular bread slices will work as well!
Dipping/scooping – I can totally see myself serving this as a chunky salsa-style dip for scooping with crackers, or pinching with torn up pieces of Lebanese bread.
Piling – Imagine serving this on a bed of finely shredded lettuce, aka vegetarian prawn cocktail style. I see it, and think it would be delicious!
Fill out Chicken Gyros or Shawarma wraps – Add this to your DIY gyros/shawarma wraps spread for people to roll up with the grilled marinated chicken, to fill it out and add extra texture with a built-in tzatziki sauce!
Chickpea pasta salad – This chickpea salad is generous on the sauce because it’s bulked out with so much shredded cucumber. Which means it could be stretched out to make an a great volume of food by tossing it through cooked pasta. Think – Greek Chickpea Pasta Salad. Yes! (PS Be sure to cook the pasta in salted water and cook it beyond al dente, see my big, easy pasta salad for ramblings on this topic).
Wow. Who knew a humble chickpea salad could do so much. 🙂 I hope you love it! – Nagi x
Watch how to make it
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Tzatziki Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
Tzatziki:
- 2 cucumbers , grated using a box grater, excess water squeezed out very well (3/4 cup once squeezed)
- 1 1/4 cups Greek yogurt (or thick plain yogurt)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , plus extra for drizzling
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh dill , plus extra for sprinkling, or half the quantity chopped fresh mint (Note 1)
- 1 large garlic clove , crushed using garlic press , finely grate or very finely minced using a knife
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
Salad:
- 2 x 400g / 14 oz cans chickpeas , well drained (Note 2 for dried)
- 3/4 cup finely sliced celery (1 – 2 stems)
- 2 tbsp chopped capers (sub cornichons or dill pickles)
Instructions
- Mix – Put the Tzatziki ingredients in a big bowl and mix. Add the chickpeas, celery and capers, mix again.
- Wait 1 hour – You can eat it straight away but it's better if you can set aside for at least 1 hour to let the flavours meld (especially salt from capers & the garlic). It's even better the next day. Give it a taste and add a pinch of extra salt if needed (capers saltiness can differ).
- Serve drizzled with extra olive oil and extra dill. Dive in!
Ways to eat it:
- As a side salad or salad meal, stuffed into sandwiches/wraps (+ avocado, good "glue"), add chicken or canned tuna for protein-boost salad meal.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Chickpeas – small but mighty!
Here are some of my favourite ways to use them.
Life of Dozer
We’re a month away from my new cookbook TONIGHT landing on your doorstep (if you pre-ordered!) and hitting bookstores! The first copies have landed, so this means Dozer’s work schedule is starting to get busy…..
Here we are yesterday, signing a bunch of advance copies that are being sent out to journalists and media outlets, which of course includes a big fat Dozer paw print stamp.
Because TONIGHT is launching around the same time in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and NZ, we’ll be doing media copies of all these editions.
I also recorded some scripts for marketing purposes that are being used for….hmm, actually, I’m not sure what it’s being used for! Really, I just got a kick out of having Dozer in a recording studio. 😂
The next author who uses these headphones might be treated to some golden fluff in their ear. 😂
Honestly, who would’ve thought this Discount Dog would be experiencing things like this. (50% off! I got him 50% off!! Bargain of my life.)
And at the end of the day, a well earned rest. “No dogs on the couch” rule was temporarily lifted. He earned it! 😂
I have a fun little home movie of Dozer’s day at my publishers’ office. I’ll share it in the next recipe! ~ Nagi x
Gorgeous Dozer and a much needed rest for both of you I would say Nagi!
This looks absolutely phenomenal!! I can’t wait to try it!! Thank you for sharing! X
Some of the best photos ever of you and Dozer. Don’t overdo it! We want you both healthy!
Can’t wait to try this! Please keep these lighter options coming, love them.
❤️❤️ Dozer loves you so much. Just as much as you love him. 😍
Our fur babies bring so much joy in our lives. Your pictures always make me smile 😃
Counting the days until I receive your new cookbook.
Just a reminder to all dog lovers (“if” you haven’t ensured to do so…)
our elderly 125 lb. rottweiler had some fuzzy fur around her pads under her paws (we neglected to trim them at the time), she slipped on a smooth, slippery surface, splaying her hips, Bambi-style. 🙁 Just something to keep in mind not just for all pets, especially for the elderly ones.
I forgot to mention “your Smile!”
I’ve enjoyed you so very much through the years. I can’t get enough of your sharing your unending variety of enormous things that you do in your life (sharing your Mom & Dozer w/us!) The new book (don’t know how you did it during Dozer’s health concerns & I immediately ordered mine on waitlist when you announced we could- anticipation!), your incredible website, the lovely photos you take & share, your philanthropy & love for everyone, your energizer (rabbit) energy that you emit: the herculean-inner strength you possess, your pure, uncompromising, ethical, perfection of All your endeavors- it’s so admirable, the awards, social events & magazine covers, etc. (Apologize if I missed something, I could go on!) 😉
You are a gentle soul, one of the many angels placed on this Earth to add positivity to our stressed world. Through it all… take time for yourself to reenergize your battery- you make me smile & I send prayers, good wishes & love to you & all those you love! 🙂
Thanks so much for the adorable pictures of you and Dozer, the sweetest boy around!!!
Yeah, he ain’t too bad! 😉 N x
Dozer is sure a handsome dude…almost as handsome as my green-eyed standard poodle!! I am not sure I told you but I made your curry pumpkin soup and it was a MAJOR hit with my sisters (who asked for seconds!!!) I am making your blueberry cake with lemon frosting for one of my sisters’ birthday. I let you know ow it goes
Thanks so much
Oooh! Two of my favourites 🙂 I’m so glad your sisters loved the Thai pumpkin soup! N x
If you haven’t scheduled your getaway yet PLEASE do! You cannot indefinitely take care of everyone and everything in your life (including Dozer and all of your fans) if you don’t take care of yourself.
I love Tzatziki but will have to try this recipe first with substitutions because I moved here a few months ago and cannot find fresh dill.
It’s on my list for my garden next Spring.
I will Jules! I just have quite a few commitments at the moment so struggling to fit in a get away 🙂 I’m trying! N x
I love your love with Dozer and his love back to you. Thank you for posting about him.
I will be making your chickpea salad as soon as I get a few of the missing ingredients in my kitchen! It looks delicious!
Thank you Laurie! Hope you get a chance to try it! N x
I always appreciate being able to access your wonderful recipes.,,I send a hug from Niagara region, Ontario, Canada! Thank you
Thank you Monika! I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes 🙂 N x
Niagara Falls Canada–my favorite place on earth. Lucky you. Nagi’s recipes are always fun. Love the videos.
Can you believe I haven’t been? 🙂 N x
We all know that you love Dozer more than life itself, but it’s so obvious that he feels the same. Some people say that animals don’t feel emotions the same way we do, but I don’t think that’s true at all. My cat shows me she loves me every day just by the way she enjoys spending time with me and always wanting to be where I am, as close as she can get. Dozer does the same, and it’s so heartwarming. You two make a wonderful team!!
I bet she gives the BEST cuddles!!! What’s her name? 🙂 N x
Your posts, as always, are so uplifting!! We love you and Dozer and never get tired of hearing about your day! Quite the opposite – it’s one of the best things of my day! Recipe sounds great too! Keep posting! Hugs to you both!! xxxoooxxx
Thank you Giovanna! This message made my morning 🙂 N x
Hello Nagi, I’m pleased that you are comfortable enough with your community to feel that you are able to ‘download’ on us. It’s the least that we can do for you!
In step 4 of the recipe, you forgot to include the cucumber in the list of Tzatziki ingredients.
Put all the tzatziki ingredients in a large bowl (yogurt, dill, capers, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper).
I know it shows it in the video, but you know how some people get 🙂
Ah yes! Thank you Andrea, I’ve fixed it. Appreciate your eye for detail! N x
Just love this take of you and Dozer. Thanks for putting a smile on my face and all your followers. Bless you Nagi and Dozer
Thank you Naomi! He certainly brought a lot of amusement into my publishers’ office 😂
Love all the Dozer photos of him sharing your success. Precious memories xx
Thank you Rhonnnie! This will be the last cookbook I do with him so I want lots of memories! N x
The last photo of this post is just the best ever. We all love you two and long may it continue(even to Playschool).
It’s on tomorrow!!! I can’t believe it’s finally come around 🙂 N x
Dear Nagi,
Thank you thank you-2 of my favourite things combined!
Heaven!
Chickpeas and….what’s the other?? 😂 Dill or yogurt?! N x
Tzatziki of course!!!
Oh! S##t! The recipe! I guess I should look at it!
Yeah nah never mind. It’s all about the Dozer. Chickpeas can wait.
You and me both Fran 😂