Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a complete meal with pinto beans and spices added. Quick & simple vegan recipe to prepare that keeps great in the fridge or freezer.
How about a big fat Chickpea Salad Sandwich along with a nice refreshing glass of iced tea?
I think I can't finish this post right now because that sounds too good. Be right back!
Well, that was a great idea! The sandwich really hit the spot and tea always goes perfectly with a lunch like this.
Let me tell you about the sandwich which turned out to be an evolution.
It was going to be a blend with Italian Dressing but I do that quite a bit already so I thought 'let's do something new and get really creative'.
When browsing through my cupboards for some inspiration and I saw all the beans I knew a couple of varieties would be a good mash-up.
My cabinets are usually pretty full and it makes it really fun when I am trying to brainstorm new recipes.
Love the addition of dijon and paprika too. An extra bit of tang from the mustard and just a tiny bit of heated spice from the paprika.
All of a sudden stuff is coming out of the refrigerator and with a little of this and that there was a delicious looking bean salad spread. Don't hold back and pile it on some nice fresh wheat bread with layers of avocado.
Table of Contents
Chickpea fun facts
- Garbanzo beans are the same thing as chickpeas. Most cans in the stores say garbanzo beans but don't let them fool you.
- Some evidence shows that chickpeas have been around about 9000 years!
- There are many different types of chickpeas around the world and in different colors too.
- India is #1 in chickpea production and Australia comes in second.
Chef's tips
Use both of the beans if you can for this vegan chickpea salad sandwich recipe. Pinto beans and chickpeas mixed together are a great combo.
Buy organic cans of beans. They are so easy to find and at very affordable prices.
You can make your own vegan almond mayonnaise because it is so very good but you can also buy some creamy vegan mayonnaise at the grocery store.
Smoked paprika would be fantastic in this too. It actually does give a smoky flavor or you can stick with good old-fashioned paprika.
Dijon mustard blends so well with all of these ingredients but, again, if you'd like to get even more tangy sharpness then you can switch to the bright yellow prepared mustard.
Helpful tools
- Large bowl
- Can Opener
- Large Spoon
- Fork for mashing or a potato masher
- Measuring Spoons
- Too easy 🙂
Ingredients
- Chickpeas are protein-packed and a very good match with pinto beans.
- Pinto beans are traditional in Mexican fare and the perfect additional ingredient for this flavorful mix.
- Vegan mayonnaise makes everything creamy.
- Dijon mustard adds a little bit of a mild zing flavor.
- Lemon juice has a tangy flavor.
- Garlic powder goes a long way in the flavor department with just a little bit.
- Paprika has a mild flavor but does add some flavoring that goes just right with beans.
- Salt is a necessary seasoning to balance the flavors.
- Black pepper adds a bit of contrasting spicy spice.
Instructions
- Drain all of the cans of beans and then rinse them. Pour onto a couple of paper towels and blot to get up the excess liquid.
- In a large bowl add the beans and mash. I like to leave mine a bit chunky and I hardly mashed them. They aren't crunchy just chunky.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Try a taste to see if you'd like more salt or mustard.
- You can make your sandwiches now with any of your favorite toppings.
- You may store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it too.
- It is already really flavorful so I only added some fresh baby spinach and avocado slices to my sandwich.
Can you freeze chickpea salad
Yes, and you can also refrigerate the mixture for up to 4 days. This makes 6 big sandwiches like the ones in the photo so you might want to freeze some of the mixture.
IF FREEZING:
You may freeze the mixture in a rigid sided container for up to 4 months. When you would like to use your chickpea salad mixture just put it in the fridge to defrost overnight.
You can also heat it in the microwave until defrosted on the defrost mode.
The sandwich is really good warm too!
📋 Recipe
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
- 30 ounces chickpeas - 2 cans 15 ounces each
- 30 ounces pinto beans - 2 cans 15 ounces each
- 1 tablespoon vegan mayonnaise - add another tablespoon if you like it better that way
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard - you can also add another tablespoon of dijon mustard if you'd like
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice - optional
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Drain all of the cans of beans.
- Rinse the beans.
- In a large bowl add the beans and mash. Leave them as chunky as you like.
- Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.
- You can make your sandwiches now with any of your favorite toppings. It is already really flavorful so I only added some fresh baby spinach and avocado slices.
Nutrition
This post has been updated from Sept. 16, 2014 with clearer instructions and photos. It has continued to be one of the most popular recipes on the blog.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
That would be my lunch of choice!!! Yum!!
Heather // girlichef
This looks so hearty and so light all at the same time. And sounds absolutely delicious!
Lana@NeverEnoughThyme
What an interesting recipe! And a good glass of iced tea would make it even better.
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I love iced tea. I agree, it is perfect with sandwiches, and many other things too!
Jan
I am not a fan of pinto or black beans....would it be okay to just double up on the chickpeas in this salad? Or maybe add some sliced almonds or chopped pecans??? lol...
Ginny McMeans
No problem at all Jan! All chickpeas would be great. I was just adding another flavor. I actually think a few diced pecans sounds good too. They would be a milder sweeter crunch instead of using almonds. Love the nut idea. 🙂
Karissa | Sweet as a Cookie
I'll pair my tea with anything but this looks amazing!
Jan
thanks Ginny!! I have to pick up one more can of peas but will make it & let you know how it turns out!! 😉
Ginny McMeans
You are welcome! Cut the ingredients in half if you are anxious to get going on it. 🙂
Susan
This is really such a great and easy vegan sandwich. Great to take on a picnic or for a quick lunch.
Melissa from HungryFoodLove.com
I agree iced tea is my drink of choice for lunch!
Nikki @ NikSnacks
Mmm!I used to eat this kind of sandwich every day when I was in college! I was a vegetarian back then....and ate so much cleaner! I'll have to try this Knorr package now.
Colleen (Souffle Bombay)
What a different & creative sammie!
Kirsten/ComfortablyDomestic
Ooo! You're always introducing me to new things, Ginny. I adore chickpeas, so this sammie looks mouthwatering!
Shelley @ Two Healthy Kitchens
Oh, wow! I am so dreadfully behind on reading my fave blogs ... and today is my first day of really, really getting caught up! Whew - what a crazy couple of months! Anyway, as I was scrolling through all that I've missed on Vegan in the Freezer, I literally couldn't decide which recipe to start with first - there were so many I wanted to peek at! Really! Well, this one was the winner (I think it might have been the avocado that tipped the scales in its favor 😀 ). Imagine my surprise when I started reading and saw how easy it was to put together! Score! Guess I chose the right recipe to start reading first! 😀
Ginny McMeans
I am so glad you have found some time to go through blogs again Shelley. I know what you mean about not having enough time sometimes. Thanks so much for your support and enjoy your sandwich! Avocados rule!
Cheryl
what else can you flavour this sandwich, other than knorr's mix? I cannot eat anything knorr's.
Ginny McMeans
Sorry to hear that Cheryl! For this quantity (it makes a lot) I would use 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, dash of cayenne powder. Keep it simple.
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen
Such an awesome vegetarian sandwich! Love chickpeas. They are so filling. 🙂
Letty / Letty's Kitchen
Hi Ginny,
Found this yummy sandwich post via FB veggie sharing group. So easy with the mashed beans--and faster than pulling up the food processor for hummus!
Danielle
Anything you'd suggest instead of vegan mayonnaise?
Ginny McMeans
I added a link to the mayonnaise that is homemade almond mayonnaise. My recipe but it is amazing. You could make this.
swayam
We love having chickpeas too. Its such a filling and healthy vegan option. Love the sandwich here!
Marie | Yay! For Food
I have a couple of canned chickpeas in my cabinet and now I know what I want to make with it. I love the idea of mashing it up with pinto beans too! So delicious!
Manju Mahadevan
This is totally my kinda sandwich and my kinda lunch. Love the chickpeas in it!
Emily
I love everything about this sandwich, I'm drooling at the thought of it. Definitely something I'll be making this weekend!
jane @ littlesugarsnaps
My goodness, this is one amazing sandwich. I do love a good veggie one and chickpeas are one of my favourite additions.
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Marie! Maybe I can make me one today too!
Ginny McMeans
Thank you Manju!
Ginny McMeans
That makes me so happy Emily! Drooling is a good thing 😀
Jules
what brand of bread did you use? Looks amazing
Ginny McMeans
Hi Jules! I buy multi grain bread but I'm not sure which one this one was in the photo. If you have a Cosco near you Dave's Killer Bread is fantastic!
georgie
how did i not know you could put chickpeas in a sandwich! this looks amazing, now i'm really craving a sandwich!
Kristi
This really looks like the perfect summer picnic meal. I bet it's delicious!
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog
I would love to have this sandwich for lunch! Thanks for sharing!
Syama
I love hummus on pita bread but never thought about chickpeas on sandwich! What a clever idea. We will definitely making these this summer ! .
Annie @ Annie's Noms
I love a good, hearty sandwich! This looks so full of flavour and those are the best kinds of sandwich!
Marla Hanson
I got a chickpea sandwich off FB, but it is mixed with an avocado, I love it. I wonder if it would freeze too.
Ginny McMeans
No Marla, avocado does not freeze well.
Paula Moors
I recently made a chickpea sandwich mix and it was kind of flat. This sounds more interesting so I will give it a try. Thanks.