Fava beans and chickpea salad

Packed with flavors, this fava beans and chickpea salad is a delicious Middle Eastern salad that will leave you satisfied for hours. It's a protein and fiber-rich salad that can be prepared in just 10 minutes. This fava bean salad is vegan and gluten-free.

Ingredients needed to make fava bean and chickpea salad

To make this fava bean salad, you will need the ingredients shown below:

Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions

• Fava Beans: Also known as broad beans, these beans are used in a lot of Middle Eastern recipes. I have used canned fava beans, you can also cook dried fava beans from scratch and use them.
• Chickpeas: Canned chickpeas or homecooked, both are fine to be used. Instead of chickpeas, you can also use kidney beans, black-eyed peas, or white beans.
• Lemon: Lemon juice tastes the best in this bean salad with Middle Eastern flavor but if you want you can also add balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar to it.
• Fresh herbs: Generally, in Middle Eastern salads fresh mint leaves and parsley are used. But, you can also fresh herbs of choice like cilantro, dill, or spring onions.
• Za'atar: It's a very tasty blend of Middle Eastern seasonings and a key ingredient of this recipe. Though you can make this fava bean salad without za'atar too, it won't taste the same. It's easily available online and in Middle Eastern grocery stores.
• Cumin powder: Cumin is also used a lot in Middle Eastern food. Don't skip adding it. It's easily available in almost every grocery store that sells spices.
• Red chili flakes: Skip if you don't want to make the salad slightly spicy.
• Olive oil: Just like Mediterranean food, olive oil is a very important ingredient in Middle Eastern food too. So, use good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Other ingredient details and nutritional information are shared in the recipe card.

How to make (step-by-step process)?

To make fava bean and chickpea salad, just follow the easy step-by-step instructions given below:

Step 1: Put both the beans in a large bowl.

Step 2: Add chopped vegetables and fresh herbs.

Step 3: Add the seasonings and extra virgin olive oil.

Step 4: Toss. Check and adjust the seasonings.

Your delicious Middle Eastern fava bean salad with chickpeas is ready to be served.

Serving fava bean chickpea salad

Serve this salad at room temperature or chilled.

You can serve it as a side dish with any meal.

This bean salad can be enjoyed as a light and healthy meal too.

Stuff this bean salad in warm pita bread and make wraps like this falafel wrap.

Create a delicious Middle Eastern Buddha bowl with fava bean salad by serving it with some cooked quinoa, sauteed bell peppers, zucchini, olives, pomegranate arils, and a Middle Eastern dip like hummus, muhammara, or tahini sauce.

Storing tips

Don't store this salad for more than 24 hours. It has a lot of fresh vegetables and herbs which will start tasting stale if left for a longer time.

Also, the vegetables and herbs start releasing moisture when mixed with the dressing ingredients and don't remain crunchy for long.

Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions

• I have used canned fava beans and chickpeas in this recipe, you can also cook dried beans from scratch at home.
• If using canned beans, strain and rinse them before adding to the salad.
• After washing the fresh herbs, pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel before using them in the salad.
• Feel free to use your favorite beans to make this Middle Eastern bean salad. You can use a single type of beans too. Or, can also add more than two varieties.
• Fresh parsley and mint leaves are the most commonly used herbs in Middle Eastern salads. You can also add green onion, fresh cilantro, or dill.
• If you want to add a slight sweetness to the salad to balance the flavors, add around 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or brown sugar. Non vegans may add honey too.
• For an extra refreshing taste, also add lemon zest to the dressing.
• Olive oil is a key ingredient in this salad so use good quality extra virgin olive oil.

More bean salad recipes

If you enjoyed this fava bean chickpea salad and looking for more easy bean salad recipes then don't miss to check out the following links:

• Middle Eastern bean salad balela
• Indian chickpea salad
• Kidney bean salad
• Greek black-eyed pea salad
• Lebanese lima bean salad

More easy meat-free Middle Eastern recipes

After moving to Dubai, I have started regularly cooking Middle Eastern food in my kitchen and my whole family loves it. If you also want to try easy meat-free Middle Eastern recipes in your kitchen then the following links are worth trying:

1. Hummus
2. Labneh dip with za'atar
3. Falafel
4. Falafel wraps
5. Middle Eastern quinoa beet salad
6. Middle Eastern red lentil soup
7. Tomato parsley salad
8. Vermicelli rice
9. Bamia-okra stew
10. Riz bi haleeb (Lebanese rice pudding)

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