Chickpeas are the base of this colorful summer salad, which is packed with seasonal flavor. Â Serve this simple Cherry-Balsamic Chickpea Salad as a delicious vegetarian side or light meal.
Some of you may recall that back in the early days of this blog, I was (mostly) vegetarian. Â *insert look of shock* Â Â This is one of the recipes I used to make quite often back in those days. Â It was originally published June 30, 2011, but I’ve reworked it and taken new pictures for this post.
While I was eating a plant-based diet, the most common question I received was about protein. Â As someone who was (and still is) passionate about fitness, and specifically into lifting weights, protein intake is something I’m incredibly conscious of. Â I mean… I just wrote a post about how much protein you need post-workout.
Vegetarian proteins aren’t hard to find these days. Â My favorites include:
- Beans/legumes
- Tofu/tempeh
- Dairy (Greek yogurt and cottage cheese)
- Protein powder
- Eggs
One of my go-to sources of protein – vegetarian or not – is the main ingredient in my favorite dip. BUT chickpeas are good for more than just hummus.  They make a great base for a salad.  Their protein content adds some stay-power to a salad, plus they add texture.  Chickpeas also taste good with just about any flavor combo.  It’s like the vegetarian chicken!
In true #strangebutgood fashion, I created this salad with some unusual flavor pairings – cherries, balsamic, mint, and basil.
Good-quality balsamic vinegar has a tart-yet-rich flavor that makes it a perfect mate to just about any fruit.  In this recipe, a quick simmer in balsamic enhances the sweetness of the cherries, and creates a deliciously syrupy sauce for the salad.
Toss your cherries and chickpeas with some fresh herbs and creamy goat cheese, and this salad will be the most decadent 10 minute lunch you’ll ever make. Â At least, it’s the most decadent 10 minute lunch I’ve ever made.
This is also easily customizable. Â If you don’t have cherries, try it with strawberries or peaches. Â Want to bulk it up for dinner? Â Make extra of the balsamic-glazed berries to use as a glaze for pork tenderloin. Â Leave out the cheese to make it vegan. Â The possibilities are endless!
[Tweet “This Cherry-Balsamic Chickpea Salad is a light and flavorful summer meal!”]
Cherry Balsamic Chickpea Salad
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Keywords: saute salad entree side gluten-free low-carb low-sodium low-sugar vegan vegetarian cherries chickpeas cheese goat cheese
Ingredients (2-4 servings)
- 1 C cherries, pitted and halved
- 2 T balsamic vinegar
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas
- 2 C spinach
- 1 C cucumber, chopped
- Juice of a lime
- 2 oz goat cheese
- 1/4 C mint, chiffonade
- 1/4 C basil, chiffonade
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Place cherries in a pan over medium heat. Once warmed, add the balsamic. Allow to cook until balsamic forms a reduction and the cherry halves soften (~7-8 mins).
Meanwhile, place the chickpeas in a bowl and give them a rough mash – just enough so that about half the peas are smashed. Mix in the cucumber and lime juice.
Remove the cherries from heat and toss with spinach. (I did this directly in the pan, allowing the heat to wilt the spinach.) Set aside, allowing to cool slightly.
Add the cherry mixture to the chickpeas, tossing with the herbs and seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste.
Top with crumbled goat cheese (I used Cypress Grove’s Purple Haze, a chèvre laced with lavender and fennel pollen).
Joining Deborah and Sarah for the Meatless Monday link up!
***
I should make extra to prepare for my knee for surgery Friday.  It’s not that I don’t trust Vegas to feed me, but… 😉
What’s your favorite meatless protein source?
Are you a fruit + balsamic fan?
This recipe sounds sooo good! I love balsamic.. and cherries.. and chickpeans. That is a winner in my book!
I get protein from chicken, nuts, and yogurts! And cottage cheese!
I usually have lentils and quinoa in my cabinet as a staple and LOVE PB and cottage cheese. really good article! I tried black cherry sauce on salmon, OMG!
I totally forgot lentils – I love them!
Hi Laura, what a delicious looking salad – the cherries and chickpeas are a great pairing and I like the hint of mint. Lovely!
ohh I love the look of the warmed cherries mm mm mm! 🙂
I love any info that helps us eat well on a budget because my recent attempts to cut back on food spending have failed! Must keep trying… 😛
Chickpea salads are so great 🙂
I am so addicted to chick peas. The salad looks like it would hit the spot.
When I’m being “good?” lentils, chickpeas, red beans and nuts are my favorite protein sources. Also, these eggplant “meat”balls by the brand Dominex. They are incredible.
When I want an excuse to eat a candy bar? clif bars, luna bars, and similar granola bars with soy protein in them… not cost effective, probably not super healthy, but so good…
And I do like both chickpeas and cherries- so watch out salad!
I get asked how I get my protein all the time!
I’ve never put fresh cherries in a salad before, but that sounds amazing! I always have dried cherries around, so those are usually my salad toppers 🙂
Ture story! That place is magical.
Oh man that whole salad looks so beautiful 🙂
YUM! what a perfect, healthy salad!
this salad is a mix of all my fave things! looks delish my dear!!
I’ve recently become rather obsessed with protein, as my body seems to be craving it but, like you, I prefer not to eat meat when I’m at home. Love the balsamic cherry pairing!
We go through chickpeas in our house like they’re going out of style. Mostly in salads like this. Great idea with the balsamic vinegar…proly rock that with my strawberries cause I haven’t seen a cherry one at the grocery store yet. Great post! Buzzed 🙂
This looks great! I made a similar salad with strawberries, reduced balsamic vinegar, edamame and asparagus overtop baby greens which was phenomenal. This looks superb as well. 🙂
That looks like one delicious salad!
This looks amazing – thank you for posting! I’m trying to come up with interesting veg combos for dinners and this is right up my alley while offering something new – I’ve never done a cherry balsamic reduction! So cool.
Ok, so this is freaky! I shared a cherry recipe today, too. It’s like we are on the same food trend wave this month! 😂 Love the combo of cherries and chickpeas! That’s brilliant! And what a refreshing idea for summer. Hops you are doing well!
I loved your recipe too! I’m all about getting all the fresh cherry deliciousness I can while they’re in season.
Love fruit and balsamic together! Next step? Add shrimp!
Ohhhh… I was going pork, but I’ll see you a shrimp and raise you a scallop!
Oh ya! Totally on board with this combo. I love chickpeas, but don’t do enough with them. Fav non meat protein is eggs or beans!
Eggs are my go-to as well!
I love chick peas in everything love the idea of adding cherries! hope you will join our meatless Monday
Thanks for the invite – I did join. 🙂
chickpeas also are a favorite snack food in my family – roasted or plain.
I need to make a bunch of roasted – they’re such a great snack!
I puffy heart chickpeas and I feel like this salad is screaming my name. I need this in my life.
This is right up your alley. I recommend extra cheese.
Warmed cherries with balsamic sounds so good! Chickpeas are one of my favorites. Sounds like a great combo.
Thank you! We really loved it. 🙂
Cherries, chickpeas and goat cheese? Girllll you know all of my favorites! 🙂
I’m pretty sure I’d eat these ingredients in anything!
I think I’m addicted to chickpeas. I know that might sound crazy but it’s so true. If I’m not careful I will open a can and eat the entire thing in one sitting. I know there are worst things I can do but it’s still a little worrisome. My goal is to find and make delicious recipes where chickpeas are the star and that’s exactly what this recipe is. You read my mind, Laura!!
LOL! That’s no crazier than my addiction to prosciutto. I can’t stop at once slice. The whole bag will be dominated.
Love chickpeas and I love the addition of cherries. I’ve got a cherry pasta salad recipe back in my archives but I love this one so much that the next cherries we purchase will go into this salad! (I do love balsamic on everything…including fruit.)
Awwww… thank you! I’d love to hear how you enjoy it!
I bet megan would like this dish too! I totally forgot you were veg back then! I do remember you at a lot TVP! haha!
Okay, so knee surgery was or is this Friday?! I am not confused. either way, eat more cherries!
LOL! I did get on a TVP kick. I still love it… Vegas just won’t tolerate it. *eye roll* LOL!
It IS this Friday. Did I not proofread? Again…*insert another eye roll*
Oh man this sounds devinnne!!! I really need to splurge on some cherries. Cherries and balsamic just sounds like an amazing combo. I’m always so astonished by the amount of protein in cottage cheese. It shocks me every time
thank you! They were on sale last week and I pounced.
Cottage cheese is a go-to for us too. I like mine with hot sauce.
You had me at cherry balsamic! Legit can’t go wrong with that combo. I keep avoiding buying fresh cherries (organic) because I know I’ll give myself a stomach ache eating them all at once!
You sound like me and grapes – I can’t be trusted!
This is going to be made this week! i love chickpeas and cherries are in season for like another week so i have been making all things cherry! I just made a cauliflower cherry salad (and stunk up my fridge with cauliflower yet again)
YAY! I’d love to hear how you like it. That cauliflower sounds amazing. True on the smell of the cauli though. *shudder*
Yum! I love chickpeas too. For some odd reason my hubby doesn’t love them though – ugh – so I don’t use them in my dinners that often, unless I want to see him pick them out of a meal one by one (he legit does that!). Luckily he’s good with hummus. But I’ve got to try this salad!
He may have Vegas beat on the pickiness… though she won’t even act like she’s going to tolerate a meatless dinner. 😉