(Note: this post was originally published on June 28, 2020. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)
I'm excited to introduce you to a favorite picnic dish in our house. This Waldorf chickpea salad borrows some ingredients from the classic Waldorf salad to create a dish that is protein-packed, hearty, versatile, and filled with interesting flavors. We've brought this salad on many different outings and I hope it will become a staple for you too.
This vegan chickpea salad can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways. It's delicious on its own, stuffed into a pita, or put on a sandwich. It can easily be scooped up with chips, crackers, and cucumber slices, or folded into a lettuce wrap. It's a great main course (especially plated on a bed of greens or served with some crusty bread) but can also act as a side dish. This is definitely a recipe that you can make again and again.
Unlike the classic, though, this Waldorf chickpea salad is full of nourishing ingredients. It's loaded with protein and fiber thanks to the chickpeas, and it ditches the heavy dressing in favor of a much lighter, plant-based alternative. This is a Waldorf salad riff you can truly feel good about enjoying!
The Waldorf is an iconic salad originating from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. Wikipedia says it dates all the way back to a charity event in 1896! It typically has greens, apples, grapes, celery, and walnuts, as well as a creamy mayo-based dressing. That combination of sweet, savory, juicy, and crunchy ingredients made the Waldorf into an instant classic that is still well-known today.
This vegan chickpea salad borrows some Waldorf flavors, but it's definitely not a classic Waldorf. I've omitted the apples because they can easily brown and don't work well for make-ahead dishes, although feel free to add them if you'll be enjoying this salad right away. I've added raisins instead; they provide a nice chewy texture in addition to pops of sweetness. I've also used almonds in place of walnuts for more crunch, although you can certainly use walnuts if you prefer.
Like many iconic salads, the Waldorf isn't ideal nutritionally. Although the veggies, fruits, and nuts are a good start, the classic mayo dressing is heavy and isn't friendly for plant-based eaters. One way to make a healthy Waldorf salad is to use yogurt instead of mayo; you'll see a yogurt-based dressing in my Vegan Brussels Sprouts Waldorf Salad. In this version, however, I'm using a tahini-based dressing for extra decadence and to ensure this salad can sit out for a while at a BBQ or picnic.
The other major change I've made is to use chickpeas as the base of this vegan Waldorf salad instead of lettuce. That simple swap adds great protein and fiber, meaning this salad can easily become a meal. It also ensures that the salad won't wilt if you want to bring it to a party or on an outing.
Not only is this Waldorf chickpea salad delicious, it's also incredibly easy to make. There are very few ingredients and no cooking involved, plus only one bowl to wash. You can put this vegan chickpea salad together in 15 minutes, which makes it great for an impromptu picnic or gathering.
All you need to do is stir together the dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then add the salad ingredients and toss. You'll see in the directions that I suggest mixing together the hearty ingredients first (chickpeas, raisins, chopped celery) before adding in the delicate ingredients (grapes, celery leaves) so that the latter don't get bruised.
Thanks to the robust ingredients in this Waldorf chickpea salad, it's very make-ahead friendly. Feel free to make the entire salad a couple hours in advance and take it with you on picnics or to potlucks. If you want to prepare it farther in advance, assemble most of the salad but keep the celery leaves, grapes, and almonds separate until you're ready to serve so they stay as fresh as possible. My favorite secret? Wrap the garnishes in a little bit of foil and put the garnish packet right in the container with the salad; just dump them in and stir when you arrive at your picnic spot!
Here's what you'll need for this Waldorf chickpea salad, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.
Don't you just love easy, no-fuss, travel-friendly salads like this? Having some recipes up your sleeve for nutritious, versatile, no-cook dishes means you can get to all your adventures sooner. I also love having an easily-portable plant protein dish I can bring to potlucks to ensure I'll still have a good meal, even if there isn't much else veggie-friendly on the menu. For all those reasons, this Waldorf chickpea salad is a dish I make frequently and year-round.
Where are you headed this weekend? Maybe to a picnic? On a fun hike? Perhaps a canoe trip? What about an outdoor party? Regardless of where you're going, this protein-rich vegan chickpea salad wants to go with you.
It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.
Vegan Brussels Sprouts Waldorf Salad
Loaded with juicy grapes, crisp celery, crunchy almonds, hearty chickpeas, and a decadent tahini dressing, this Vegan Waldorf Chickpea Salad is a year-round favorite. It easy to make, works great for healthy meal prep, and is perfect for a picnic.
For the Dressing
For the Salad
Did you make this recipe? Did you make substitutions? How did you serve it? Any helpful tips? Please share your thoughts, since these insights are really useful to both me and to other readers.
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