Cranberry Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Jazz up your make-ahead on-the-go lunch game with this Cranberry Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich with Healthy Kale Salad: 2 ways!

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Cranberry Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings servings

Calories 482kcal

Author Jenn Laughlin - Peas and Crayons

Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD:

15 oz canned chickpeas, drained + rinsed
2 stalks green onion
2 stalks celery
¾ cup chopped red grapes
½ cup toasted pecans see notes
⅓ cup dried cranberries
1/3-1/2 cup store bought or homemade mayonnaise vegan or regular
1-2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp yellow mustard
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp dried dill or fresh, to taste
⅛ tsp pepper
2 TBSP unsalted roasted sunflower seeds

FOR THE SANDWICH:

multi-grain sandwich bread
Nature's Greens® Kale Greens
thinly sliced red onion
sandwich spread of your choice: mustard, mayo, hummus, etc...

Instructions

Drain and rinse your chickpeas and add them to a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher 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. You could also use a food processor and skip the arm workout entirely - it's crazy easy!
If you decide to toast your pecans (SWOON!) here's how to do it: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spritz a baking sheet with cooking spray. Add pecans in a single layer and toast until they're aromatic, approx. 4-5 minutes.
Chop your green onion, celery, grapes, and pecans.
Add to the bowl with your chickpeas, then add mayo, dijon, yellow mustard, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat.
Fold in sunflower seeds (as much or as little as you'd like) and adjust any ingredients to taste.
Pile high on fluffy bread with kale, red onion, and sandwich spread of your choice, or serve a scoop or two atop a bed of tasty massaged kale with a side of balsamic dressing. You can even add a drizzle of balsamic glaze on top - it's AMAZING!

Notes

FOR A DELI STYLE SALAD: Add the kale to a large bowl and drizzle kale with a tsp or two of your favorite healthy oil and a pinch of salt. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice if you'd like! Massage the kale with your fingers until kale darkens in color and takes on a velvety texture. This little rub-down turns the curly kale leaves into a tender and silky salad green! Serve a jumbo scoop of cranberry pecan chickpea salad on top and drizzle with balsamic dressing before diving in!

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!

See post below for bonus kale salad recipes and two tasty homemade salad dressings to serve with them!

Nutrition Facts below are estimated for the chickpea salad only using an online recipe nutrition calculator. Adjust as needed based on salad or sandwich serving suggestion and enjoy!

Nutrition