Chickpea, Quinoa and Celery Salad With Middle Eastern Flavors Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Chickpea, Quinoa and Celery Salad With Middle Eastern Flavors Recipe (1)

Total Time
10 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Rating
5(293)
Notes
Read community notes

It’s the sumac (available in Middle Eastern markets) and the herbs – dill, mint, chives – that give this salad its Middle Eastern accents. I love the texture and flavor of the chickpeas, which make for a substantial and comforting dish. It’s all you need for lunch and makes a delicious light supper. I love abundant, thinly sliced celery in just about any lemony salad; you will appreciate it for its texture as well as its flavor. Of course, you can use canned chickpeas, but if you have the time, try cooking some dried chickpeas to see how good they taste.

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves 4

  • cups cooked chickpeas (1 15-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
  • cups cooked quinoa (any color)
  • 1cup thinly sliced celery
  • ¾cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1 to 2tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 1tablespoons minced chives
  • 2 to 4tablespoons chopped white or red onion, soaked for 5 minutes in cold water and drained (optional)
  • 1teaspoon sumac, plus additional for sprinkling
  • For the Dressing

    • 1tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
    • 2teaspoons sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar
    • Salt to taste
    • 1small garlic clove, minced or pureed
    • ¼cup extra-virgin olive oil
    • Freshly ground pepper

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

322 calories; 17 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 36 grams carbohydrates; 8 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 9 grams protein; 507 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Chickpea, Quinoa and Celery Salad With Middle Eastern Flavors Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    In a salad bowl, combine chickpeas, quinoa, celery, tomatoes, dill, mint, chives, onion and sumac and toss together.

  2. Step

    2

    In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and garlic. Whisk in the olive oil. Pour over the salad and toss well. Sprinkle more sumac on top, and serve.

Ratings

5

out of 5

293

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Karen

I doubled the recipe and took it to a potluck at my synagogue. Every bit was eaten and it got great reviews. Thanks!

Janet

I didn't have mint so increased the dill a little. Used quartered heirloom cherry tomatoes which gave a nice color. Crunchy with the celery. The sumac really makes it. Delicious!

Emily B

Delicious! I added tahini!

lu bleveans

Lovely salad! Doubled for a party and added 2 c broccoli flowerettes, 1 cauliflower and 1/2 cup diced red pepper. Added more lemon juice and sumac at serving time. Big hit!

Steph r.

Fast and tasty. Make the dressing first in the bowl you’re going to assemble the salad in and then you’ll have one less thing to wash.

cgreene

So delish! Make this now!

NcCookin

Followed the recipe to a T and it was amazing! Even better the second day for lunch!

Russell

Really tasty, whole family enjoyed. Next time I should double the recipe. I enjoyed eating it with pitas. Also, I used the juice of a whole lime instead of a lemon.

Manisha

VERY tasty, nice crunch salad and I am even more excited for the leftovers tomorrow. Added a 1/2 red bell pepper, a couple of small chopped cucumbers and some halloumi cheese strips I seared while waiting for the onions to soak. This is a nice way to use leftover quinoa.

Tracy

1st impression: my palate is a little confused--there are a lot of flavors happening. I used (too much) dried dill and 4 TBSP red onion because I forgot to buy chives. On top of that, it's my first time cooking with (and possibly first time eating) sumac, so I think I need to get used to a new flavor. If you are new to quinoa, you could easily halve it and keep the other ingredients the same.

Tracy

^^^Ignore me! Make this recipe! After several hours in the refrigerator, the flavors melded and moderated into a perfect salad. I was glad I followed the suggestions to double the recipe--it was no extra work, and I loved it so much. I couldn't really taste the sumac. I will use dried dill again, but maybe a smidge less, and I will remember to buy chives. IMPORTANT: I feel adding feta was a must-do. If that's not your thing, you might want to up some of the seasonings for more zip.

Herbie

Added Feta. Used parsley, mint and basil. HUGE HIT!

Mary's mom

Also good with pickled onions and cilantro.

Chris

We were missing ingredients, so didn't have celery, dill, or chives. Still good though and easy to prep. Maybe would have added some more sumac

BS

Delicious dish. Solved most of my life problems for me and saved my marriage.

lizzie

This is definitely going to be one of my go-to meals this summer. Tajin worked as a sumac substitute in a pinch!

additions to white bean chili

Great recipe. I added more garlic than necessary. It was sharp at first but settled out nicely. I also used it as a condiment on a smoked chicken sandwich and the vinegar showed through nicely.

Jena

Made this for KJ and Stefan lake house event, tripled recipe. It was pretty good, light but filling but not wow-worthy. Needed more flavor.

Carole Cassidy

I made it with black eyed peas, just because I had them in the pantry, right next to the garbanzos, and I thought, “why not?”

Lisa

Smelled so good as I was preparing this Salad - perfect protein salad. I may start making it a couple times a month. Delicious!

E

Note that cooking up a quantity of chick peas from a package of dried ones is an easy matter, and they freeze quite well. After I soak them overnight, I cook them on low in a slow cooker with celery (leaves and all) and bay leaf. I cannot say how long, and you must check that they stay covered in water. Let them cool, drain off the liquid and freeze in canned bean size containers.

nancy

Well, I also doubled this recipe and we both just loved it! I omitted the celery and added more lemon to the dressing. I used sherry wine instead of sherry vinegar. I don't know what it was, but there was a very good taste about the meal. Chick Peas never tasted so good.!......Was it the sherry, or the sumac, or what? I may never know. By the way, the recipe took me one hour to prepare, counting in assembling the spices and cutting things up........kind of labor intensive for me........

MF

fabulous, one of my all time favorites- made with bulgar instead of quinoa, tasted better 2 days later, didn't soak onion

Russell

Really tasty, whole family enjoyed. Next time I should double the recipe. I enjoyed eating it with pitas. Also, I used the juice of a whole lime instead of a lemon.

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Chickpea, Quinoa and Celery Salad With Middle Eastern Flavors Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What flavors go well with quinoa? ›

A quinoa version of khichidi, redolent with turmeric and fresh ginger, is complemented by the texture of fried cumin seeds. Blending cooked quinoa into pesto instead of pine nuts adds flavor and body. Cook quinoa in orange juice and chill it overnight with chocolate almond milk for a richly flavorful pudding.

How to flavor cooked quinoa? ›

I find that some of the best seasonings for quinoa are cumin, dried bay leaf, turmeric, and salt, and black pepper. I also love to flavor it with fresh garlic and herbs such as parsley, dill, and cilantro. You can add the seasonings of your choice into the pot at the same time with the liquid and cook it as directed.

How do you season quinoa so it tastes good? ›

13 Ways To Add More Flavor To Quinoa
  1. Cook it in broth instead of water. ...
  2. Dress it with a vinaigrette. ...
  3. Mix cooked quinoa with caramelized onions. ...
  4. Infuse it with dried fruit and fruit scraps. ...
  5. Add oil and salt to cooked quinoa. ...
  6. Toast uncooked quinoa. ...
  7. Don't skimp on the garlic. ...
  8. Season your water with spices.
Jul 21, 2023

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Why do you rinse quinoa after cooking? ›

There is a bitter coating on the tiny seed that needs to be rinsed away; if you don't do it, it's going to taste wrong. And when you rinse it, use a fine-mesh strainer. You don't want those tiny seeds to disappear down the drain!

Do you rinse quinoa before or after cooking? ›

Soak or rinse.

Drain and rinse well before using it in the next step. To rinse quinoa: Place the dry quinoa in a fine mesh sieve and rinse it under running tap water for at least 30 seconds. Let the excess water drip off, then it's ready to cook.

What is the flavor profile of quinoa? ›

Flavor Profile: What does quinoa taste like? Now you know that quinoa is a seed that originated in the Andes and comes in three different colors, but let's talk about flavor. These pseudograins have a nutty undertone and an earthy aftertaste similar to brown rice. However, they have a soft yet slightly chewy texture.

Is quinoa meant to be eaten hot or cold? ›

Quinoa can be eaten hot or cold and in savoury or sweet dishes. To get the best out of it, I would suggest that it should be cooked using a liquid that imparts flavour… For savoury Quinoa, I always cook in a well-seasoned stock or home-made vegetable broth.

What liquid to cook quinoa in? ›

The basic ratio is 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups liquid. You can use water (season it with a bit of kosher salt), or you can use any kind of broth (we like to use low-sodium broths and add any extra salt to the finished dish as needed). You can also add a bit of dry white wine to the liquid for another layer of flavor.

Does quinoa taste good plain? ›

Quinoa right out of the pot is pretty bland. You've got to have a few tricks up your sleeve to make it taste amazing. Here's our number 1 way of how to season quinoa: just a few simple ingredients transform it from bland to bursting with flavor! Even quinoa haters will want to take another bite…

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