Capsaicin Free Vegan Fresh Chickpea Cucumber Salad
This bright, herb-forward salad is the kind of dish that looks stunning on the table and comes together with almost no effort. Chickpeas bring satisfying protein and a hearty bite, while crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a generous handful of both parsley and mint keep every forkful feeling fresh and lively. The zesty lemon dressing — built with olive oil, fresh lemon juice, a hit of zest, and warm ground cumin — ties everything together beautifully without relying on any heat. For anyone avoiding capsaicin, the red pepper flakes listed in the dressing are clearly marked optional and easy to leave out entirely, making this completely safe to enjoy as written. Letting the salad rest for a few minutes before serving is a small step that makes a real difference, giving the chickpeas time to soak up all that bright, cumin-laced dressing. It works equally well as a light lunch on its own or as a crowd-pleasing side at a cookout or potluck.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 english cucumber, cut into ½-inch pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ⅓ cup red onion, finely diced
- ⅓ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
For the dressing
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 ½ lemons)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Can be omittedcrushed red pepper
Instructions
- 1
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes, if using, until combined.
- 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!