Vegan Cranberry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Vegan cranberry chickpea salad sandwiches! A healthy lunch recipe that's easy to make and totally packable, too.
If you're looking for more Healthy and Easy Vegetarian Lunches for Work, check out this post.
I've been making variations of these creamy vegan salads for a while now and they're always a big hit. Think of them as a plant-based alternative to traditional chicken and egg salad sandwiches.
My Creamy Vegan Salad Formula:
Protein: chickpeas, beans, lentils, tempeh, tofu, peas
Nuts: walnuts, pecans, cashews, almonds
Fruit: raisins, grapes, dried cranberries
Herbs: parsley, basil, cilantro, mint
Sauce: vegan mayo, vinegar, citrus
Also, a little cayenne pepper never hurt anyone.
Serve it on whole grain bread or a tortilla for a packed lunch. I also love eating it all on its own, over a bed of dark leafy greens, and dipped with crackers.
Regardless of the delivery method, I guarantee your tastebuds will go wild for the zingy sauce, crunchy walnuts, and tart pops of flavor from dried cranberries.
This recipe is quick, but that doesn't mean you can't slow down to enjoy it. Mix it together, pack it up, and get outside.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cranberry Chickpea Salad Sandwiches
Ingredients
chickpea salad:
- 1 can chickpeas (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
- ⅓ cup vegan mayonaise (such as Hampton Creek Just Mayo)
- ⅓ cup walnut pieces
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (packed)
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon lemon peel, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
For serving:
- whole grain bread (vegan)
- baby spinach (or another salad green)
- thinly sliced onion
Instructions
- Combine chickpeas and mayonaise and mash slightly. (I like to keep some of the chickpeas whole for texture.) Stir in walnuts, parsley, cranberries, lemon peel, lemon juice, and cayenne (if using).
- Serve on whole grain bread with baby spinach and sliced onion.
Notes
Hover over the image to save this vegan cranberry chickpea salad sandwich recipe on Pinterest:
{This post was updated with new photos March, 2018}
I have made this recipe a few times and i love the freshness and different flavors and textures. I have eaten it as a sandwich with the spinach and red onion on multigrain bread, and also scooping it with multi-grain Tostitos. Today, I’m tweaking it a bit with dried cherries, pecans, and some thinly chopped celery.
Those changes sound delicious, Lisa! Thank you for the review! 🙂
Oh my! this sandwich looks truly incredible! like you said, you can east this salad on bread or even with crackers! love the added dried cranberries...this is a must try
Thanks so much, Albert! It's such a versatile recipe—so many different ways to enjoy it!
Yum! That's a great formula to have!
Totally! Thanks, Becca!
This looks delicious! I love all the flavors and texture you have packed in, so filling!
Would love to have you link up with us for Meatless Monday and share your recipe.
Thanks, Sarah! It really is a satisfying sandwich. And I'd love to learn more about the Meatless Monday link-up—sounds fun!
Oh yum! I'm drooling over this sandwich..
Thanks so much, Michael! 🙂
O man, literally drooling over this sandwich! I love chickpea salad and the cranberries....that just sounds so good!
Haha, thanks Rebecca! It's a pretty great combo!! 🙂
I love this flavor combination! Lovely summer recipe!
Thanks so much Sara! Hooray for summer! 🙂
Oh wow, this sandwich looks amazing! I feel bad that I've been eating plain tomato sandwiches this week...this sandwich looks so gourmet - I really need to step up my sandwich game 😀 I'll definitely be trying this out (and it looks like something my kids will enjoy too!) <3
Haha, thanks Kyra! Tomato sandwiches sound great too! 🙂 Hope you and your kids love this sandwich, let me know how it goes! 🙂
What a delicious way to eat chickpeas! I don't think I've ever put them on a sandwich other than as hummus. Really brilliant! Sharing!
Thanks so much, Vanessa! I just started adding chickpeas to sandwiches without pureeing them into a hummus and I love the added texture they offer. So yummy! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This looks like the perfect lunchbox or picnic item! Love chickpeas, but never thought to put them in a salad like this 🙂
Thanks, Tara! There are just so many things to do with chickpeas, I feel like I discover a new way of incorporating them every day!
What a tasty alternative to chicken salad! I could totally see myself eating this for lunch, pinning 🙂
Thank you Rachel! Let me know if you try it, hope you love as much as I do! 🙂