Shellfish Free Cilantro-Lime Millet & Chickpea Salad
This vibrant grain salad is the kind of dish that looks stunning on the table and tastes even better than it looks. Fluffy millet forms the base, soaking up a bright, zesty dressing built from fresh lime juice, lime zest, cumin, and turmeric — a combination that's bold without being overwhelming. Creamy diced avocado, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and hearty chickpeas round everything out into a salad that genuinely satisfies. Every single ingredient here is naturally free from shellfish, so there's no label-scanning or substitution stress — just straightforward, wholesome cooking. The dressing comes together with a quick whisk, and the whole thing is as easy to assemble as it is impressive to serve. It holds up well in the fridge, making it a smart choice for meal prep or a make-ahead lunch that still tastes fresh the next day.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the millet
- 1 cup millet
- 2 cups water
- ¼ tsp salt
For the salad
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 english cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 avocado, diced
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
- 1 tsp lime zest
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Rinse the millet in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a medium saucepan with 2 cups water and 1/4 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the millet is tender and fluffy, about 18 minutes.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the millet rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then uncover and fluff with a fork. Spread the millet onto a large mixing bowl or sheet pan and let it cool for at least 10 minutes until no longer steaming.
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