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You are here: Home / Recipes / Main Dish / Hearty Salads / Grilled Panzanella Salad with Chickpeas and Quinoa

Grilled Panzanella Salad with Chickpeas and Quinoa

By Traci · Jump to Recipe ·
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate policy.

A hearty and flavor packed Panzanella Salad Recipe (tomato and bread salad) with grilled Multigrain Sourdough, chickpeas and quinoa to round out this main course Tuscan bean salad! This salad is vegan, vegetarian and easily gluten free.

Tuscan Bean Salad in a large serving bowl with spoons on the side for serving.

Table of Contents

  • Summer Harvest
  • What is Panzanella Salad?
  • Ingredients for this Grilled Panzanella Salad Recipe
  • A Few Recipe Notes
  • More Hearty Summer Salads to Love
  • Grilled Panzanella Salad with Chickpeas and Quinoa

Summer Harvest

Summer’s freshest ingredients come together in an effortless, hearty grilled panzanella salad. With minimal prep and cooking, this zesty salad is perfect for alfresco dining, picnics, a quick lunch or for an easy meal after a full day of work. It can hang out in the fridge for a few days too, which makes it ideal for lunches or a ready made dinner!

Because cold quinoa salads are such a staple during the summer, I bulked this panzanella bread salad recipe up, adding creamy chickpeas and quinoa. These additions add texture, and protein and stretches this salad several days further.

Zesty Lemon Dressing in a jar.   Grilled Sourdough cut into bite size pieces on a cutting board.

What is Panzanella Salad?

Panzanella salad is a Tuscan style salad made of fresh tomatoes, day old or stale bread cubes, onions and sometimes basil. It often includes cucumbers and is dressed with a zesty olive oil based dressing.

Grilled panzanella salad simply means that the bread is grilled to take this salad’s flavor profile over the top!

Because this panzanella bread salad recipe has chickpeas and quinoa in it, it’s not considered a traditional panzanella salad. However, in order to make this salad a main, I thew them in. I mean, why not?

Ingredients for this Grilled Panzanella Salad Recipe

A few fresh ingredients, sourdough or other crusty bread and pantry staples bring this panzanella bread salad recipe together with ease. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Cooked Quinoa
  • Cooked Chickpeas
  • Tomatoes – I like a mix of heirloom and cherry
  • Cucumber
  • Purple Onion
  • Sourdough Bread Slices – or other crusty bread like a baguette or ciabatta
  • Basil
  • Lemon
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Garlic

For meal prep, cook the quinoa and chickpeas up to two days in advance.

Panzanella Salad Ingredients.    Diced cucumbers on a cutting board with other salad ingredients.

How to Make this Panzanella Bread Salad

Plan ahead at least a half hour in advance as this salad’s flavor improves as it sets. Too, the grilled bread has time to marinate in the dressing and soften. Here’s how to make this Tuscan bean salad:

  • First, make the dressing in a small Mason jar by adding the oil, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, salt and garlic. Shaaake it up!
  • Second, put the quinoa on to cook and grill the bread on an indoor grill pan or outdoor grill on medium high heat – a little charring is good – for about four minutes per side. Likewise, another way to dry the bread out is to simply be toast it on a baking sheet or in a toaster. Set aside to cool. Slice the bread into bite size pieces.
  • Third, chop the tomatoes, cucumber and onions.
  • Next, in a large bowl, add the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, cooled quinoa, chickpeas and bread cubes.
  • Last, pour the dressing over the salad, tear some basil and toss.

This bread salad can hang out in the fridge for up to three days.

Salad ingredients in a mixing bowl.     Grilled Panzanella Salad mixed in a mixing bowl. Grilled Panzanella Salad Recipe shared in a large serving bowl.

A Few Recipe Notes

  • Type of Bread? My favorite is multigrain sourdough, but any sourdough or crusty bread like ciabatta or a baguette will work. 
  • For this panzanella salad recipe, grilling the bread elevates its flavors. However, toasting the bread is another way to dry it out. 
  • Gluten free? Yes please! Use your favorite gluten free bread or whip up a loaf of gluten free sourdough bread and use it in this recipe! 
  • Classic panzanella salad allows time for the bread to soak up all the juices from the dressing and tomatoes. However for a crunchy effect, add the grilled bread at the last minute. 
  • This bread salad improves with time, even after a few days! The chickpeas, quinoa and bread become extra soft, creamy and so flavorful! 

More Hearty Summer Salads to Love

  • Black Bean Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad with Jalapeño Lime Dressing
  • Chickpea Summer Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing
  • Spinach Pecan Brown Rice Salad
  • Market Quinoa Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
  • Lemon Orzo Salad
Grilled Panzanella Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

Grilled Panzanella Salad with Chickpeas and Quinoa

Prep Time:25 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:40 minutes
Servings:9 One Cup Servings (178g)
Calories:236kcal
Author:Traci York | Vanilla And Bean
A hearty and flavor packed Panzanella Salad Recipe with grilled sourdough, and chickpeas and quinoa to round out this main course Tuscan bean salad! This recipe is vegan + vegetarian + easily gluten free.
*Time below does not include amount of time needed to rest the salad, about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 C (50g) Extra Virgin Olive Oil plus more for brushing the bread
  • Zest of one Lemon
  • 3 Tbs Lemon Juice about one lemon
  • 2 Tbs Red Wine Vinegar
  • 2 Fat Cloves of Garlic finely minced or microplaned
  • 3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt

For the Salad:

  • 1/4 C (50g) Quinoa rinsed
  • 3/4 C (180g) Water
  • 3 (250g) Hearty Slices of Sourdough Bread
  • 2 C (455g) Chickpeas cooked, drained and rinsed. About one can.
  • 13 oz (350g) Cucumber about 3 small or 1 medium, sliced in bite size pieces
  • 1 3/4 lb (800g) Tomatoes a mix of heirloom and cherry, sliced in bite size pieces
  • 1/2 (105g) Red Onion sliced thin, in bite size pieces
  • Fist Full of Fresh Basil torn to taste
  • Fresh Ground Black Pepper to taste

Instructions

For the Dressing:

  • In a small lidded jar add the olive oil, lemon zest and juice, red wine vinegar, garlic and salt. Lid and shake until an emulsion is formed. Set aside.

For the Salad:

  • In a small sauce pot, add the water and quinoa and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Simmer, unlidded for 11-13 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and the 'tails' are showing. Rinse under cold water and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the grill or grill pan by heating it on high heat. Lightly brush olive oil on both sides of the bread. Turn the heat down slightly and transfer the slices of bread to the grill or grill pan. Grill for 3-5 minutes on each side, just enough to toast the bread and to leave grill marks on each side. Set aside to cool. Once cool, use a serrated knife to slice into bite size pieces. Add to the mixing bowl with the quinoa.
  • To the mixing bowl, add the tomatoes, cucumbers and onion and pour the dressing over the salad. Toss.
    Allow to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes then taste for salt adjustment. The bread should be soaked and soft.
    Tear fresh basil leaves to taste, add to the bowl then gently toss.
  • Serve with more fresh basil and fresh cracked black pepper.
  • Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Notes

This recipe is inspired and adapted from Ottolenghi's Plenty
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 774IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg
Made It? Leave a comment below! The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications and/or helping other commenters. On Instagram? Take a snap of your make and share, tagging @VanillaAndBean #VanillaAndBean!
Grilled Panzanella Salad

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  1. Avatar for Liz @ Floating KitchenLiz @ Floating Kitchen

    August 29, 2020 at 6:55 am

    Oh yes! I love love love a panzanella salad! They are my favorite to make in the Summer! Gorgeous rainbow of colors you have here!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for annie@ciaochowbambina[email protected]

    August 29, 2019 at 6:21 am

    5 stars
    I just want to do a swan dive into that bowl! Panzanella is one of my all-time favorites, and yours is gorgeous!!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Mary Ann | The Beach House KitchenMary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    August 26, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    5 stars
    Such a hearty salad Traci! I love the addition of the chick peas and the quinoa. And all tossed in a light lemony dressing that sounds just perfect for summer.

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Geraldine | Green Valley KitchenGeraldine | Green Valley Kitchen

    August 24, 2019 at 12:19 pm

    5 stars
    Love this, Traci! What a good way to use up all the end of summer veggies and adding quinoa and chickpeas is such a great way to make this a filling and healthy meal. Love that this holds up well in the fridge – it’s great when a salad can do double duty – dinner and lunch the next day all taking care of!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for JeanJean

    August 24, 2019 at 6:01 am

    So many of summer’s gems in this salad, Traci! Grilling the bread and adding the quinoa and chickpeas sure makes this a more hearty salad. Enjoy wherever the weekend takes you!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Liz @ Floating KitchenLiz @ Floating Kitchen

    August 24, 2019 at 3:32 am

    Panzanella is one of my FAVS! Definitely worthy of a main meal. Especially with the added quinoa. Such a great idea. I need to try that!

    Reply

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