This Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad Sandwich makes a perfect make-ahead lunch for work or school. Meal prep FTW!
If I take my B12 with a shot of coffee does that supercharge it?
#ASKINGFORAFRIEND
Well, not really… I could use some serious energy right about now! This mama is tired with a capital T-I-R-E-D!
Needless to say, these days I’m all about the caffeine. And chickpeas. Though not usually together! (Seriously if you see me touting some sort of chickpea coffee situation on the blog you have my permission to Baker Act me!) I am totally convinced leaning out my eats with chickpeas in place of meat is a guaranteed energy boost.
Today’s chickpea faceplant is in the form of the most legendary cranberry walnut chickpea salad sandwich!
The recipe makes enough mashed chickpea salad goodness to make 3-4 scrumptious sandwiches, and it keeps for a few days in the fridge, meaning you can make these epic sammies in a matter of minutes!
Helloooooo easy weekday lunches!
Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This crunchy cranberry chickpea salad is gloriously vegetarian with an easy peasy swap to make it vegan. Simply grab your favorite vegan mayo and you’re good to go!
It’s also dairy-free and gluten-free and packed to the brim with all things veggie. To keep things GF, choose a gluten-free bread or bun or serve the mashed chickpeas over a bed of greens with your favorite dressing!
Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad Sandwich makes a perfect make-ahead lunch for work or school. Meal prep FTW!
Ingredients
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained + rinsed
- 2 stalks celery
- 1/3-2/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 stalks green onion
- 1/3-1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3-1/2 cup store bought or homemade mayonnaise (vegan or regular) plus extra to taste
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp dried dill or fresh, to taste
- 1/8 tsp pepper
FOR SANDWICHES:
- sliced brioche bread or bread of choice
- torn romaine lettuce
- thinly sliced red onion
- thinly sliced cucumber
- sandwich spread of your choice: mustard, mayo, hummus, etc…
Instructions
-
Drain and rinse your chickpeas and add them too a food processor along with your chopped walnuts and celery. Pulse/blend until texture appears flaked, almost like tuna salad. I use both a potato masher and follow up with a fork to make sure every chickpea is deliciously smashed. No food processor? You can also mash the chickpeas by hand with a potato masher and a fork.
-
Transfer mixture to a large bowl and add dried cranberries, mayo, dijon mustard, yellow mustard, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat.
-
Feel free to adjust any ingredients to taste by adding extras of your favorites!
-
Pile high on bread with all your sandwich fixings and sandwich spread of your choosing, or enjoy as a wrap, with crackers, on a salad, or simply dive into the bowl spoon-first – anything goes!
Recipe Notes
This makes a FABULOUS make-ahead dish for lunches during the week and is great on the go too. Pack a sandwich or salad for lunch/school or make it ahead to serve at a party or picnic.
The salad will be great for approx. 4 days in the refrigerator so make it for now, or for later!
optional extra: Feel free to add some minced red onion in the salad if you’re a fan! You can replace some of the green onion with it or use it in place if preferred. If you’d rather serve it sliced on top of your sandwich, simply skip adding it to the chickpea mixture.
Nutrition Facts below estimated for the chickpea salad only using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on choice of bread and extras and enjoy!
If you get a chance to whip up your own cranberry walnut chickpea salad sandwich, let me know! Leave some love in the comment form below or tag your photos with @peasandcrayons on Instagram so I can happy dance over your creation!
Looking to mix things up? Check out all the different varieties of chickpea salad sandwiches you can make! The possibilities are endless. And delicious. So, so delicious.
hungry for more?
WHERE CAN I FIND THAT LUNCHBOX?!
My handy dandy divided glass lunchbox is from IdealPrep and available in single packs and multi-packs on Amazon. I have the large and already use it so much that I want the 3-pk next! The lid seals great and is really sturdy, much better than other ones I’ve used in the past!
Janice
This was delicious! Thank you so much. My husband said it was even better than tuna salad.
Ashley
This is so good! Love the flavors it in! You would never miss the chicken either!
Jenn
Right!? Thank you Ashley!
Justine
So looking for new healthy things to eat for lunch – came across this, and SO GLAD I DID. It was fresh, it was fruity, it was a hit!
Jenn
So stoked it was a hit! Thanks Justine!
Melody
I really liked this! It was a little dry so I added a tablespoon of flavored vinegar and a tablespoon of maple syrup as I see some other un-chicken salad had. It turned out great! Thank you.
Jenn
So glad you enjoyed it, Melody!
Sarah
This REALLY hits the “I want chicken salad” spot! It’s really flavorful, and has the same texture if you mash the chickpeas thoroughly. I added red onion since it’s a ‘must’ for me. Super easy and healthy, glad I found this one!
Staci
Eating this as we speak!! The only difference is I added the mayo, mustards and spices into the food processor as well, which probably make it a little more puréed then it’s supposed to be but I don’t mind it at all, the green onions, and romaine lettuce I added gives it a good crunch! This is a new favorite easy peasy recipe! Please keeo they coming!!
Jenn
Woot Woot! So glad it’s a hit Staci!
Maribeth kusse
Thank you for the recipe! Am in love with chickpeas now! This is so good. Tried the garden veggie chickpea salad sandwich and am hooked.
Stephanie
This is an AMAZING recipe. So tasty. So fast and so simple. LOVE IT!!!
Jenn
Super stoked you enjoyed it Stephanie! Thank you!
Jacqueline DiNuoscio
This looks like chicken salad perfection! I can’t wait to make it!
Jenn
Minus the chicken! 😉 Love it so!
Samantha Dawn
Such a great way to take lunch up a notch!! Love the crunch and the satisfying flavours!
Jenn
Thanks Samantha!
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