My Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich makes an easy and delicious sandwich, but the chickpea filling is also perfectly suited as a dip or spread. It features cooked chickpeas, tangy pickles, onions, stone ground mustard, and mayo with a bit of pickle juice. Try it with sourdough bread, crackers, tucked into wraps or as a dip with celery, or cucumbers. This reader favorite recipe is ideal for a week-day lunch, light dinners, a weekend picnic or potluck!
THE Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
This was the very first sandwich I blogged about on Vanilla And Bean back in 2015, just one year after I published my first recipe. This smash-up has been loved and made by many, becoming a fast favorite with readers, and made more times than I can count in my own kitchen.
And for good reason! It’s super simple to pull together, economical and can be made with pantry ingredients. The best part is, it only takes about 10 minutes to whip up! I found smashed chickpeas to be so versatile, I also created this Vegan Pimento Smashed Chickpea Salad and these mouthwatering Buffalo Chickpea Salad Wraps. With chickpeas in the pantry, they’re a blank canvas for so many flavors!
This Recipe Is
- the most made chickpea recipe in my kitchen
- reminicent of Deviled Egg Salad, yet plant based
- tangy, filling and make ahead ready
If you love homemade veggie sandwiches, you’ll enjoy this simple yet flavor packed recipe.
“Excellent recipe, goes over well with all crowds. Can be jazzed up or left as is, awesome fiber and protein source to have in fridge and snack with chips or as a full meal sandwich. Have not served this to a person who didn’t enjoy!”
Hannah
__________________________
How to Make Smashed Chickpea Salad
step by step
I tested this recipe in a food processor and also simply smashing the chickpeas. The food processor breaks the chickpeas down too far and also creates a different texture. I prefer the softer/chunky texture when made with a fork or mini masher, plus there’s no food processor to clean.
Add an Egg: a chopped hard boiled egg is a delicious addition to this salad. Follow my Steamed Hard Boiled Eggs recipe (for a fuss free egg peel), dice then stir into the salad. Adjust salt and pepper to taste – and a bit more mayo.
Traci’s Tips
- Home Cooked: for even better flavor and texture, try cooking your chickpeas from scratch!
- Chill It: this recipe improves with a little time in the fridge, so if you can, make it ahead and let it marry.
- More Creamy Please: if you prefer a creamier smashed chickpea salad sandwich, add an additional tablespoons of mayo.
- Make it Vegan: you can use your favorite mayo in this recipe, but to make it egg free and vegan, I use Vegenaise.
10 Minute Smashed Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 (425 grams) Can of Chickpeas, drained and rinsed (aka Garbanzo) or use 1 3/4 cup home cooked chickpeas
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (55 grams) Dill Pickles, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup (35 grams) Purple Onion, finely chopped, about 1/4 an onion
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) Mayonnaise, I use Vegenaise
- 2 1/2 teaspoon Stone Ground Mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar, or pickle juice
- 1/4 + 1/8 teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoon Fresh Dill , fresh-chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Turmeric, optional for color
- 8-10 Grinds of Fresh Black Pepper
For the Sandwich (options):
- Multigrain Sourdough Sandwich Bread, or bread of choice
- Sprouts, Leafy Greens (like Kale, Arugula, Romaine), Shredded Carrots
Instructions
- Using a potato masher or fork, rough-mash the chickpeas until most is smashed but there are still some whole chickpeas left. Add the pickles, onion, mayo, mustard, vinegar or pickle juice, salt, dill, optional turmeric and black pepper. Mix well. Taste for seasoning adjustment, adding an additional tablespoon of mayo for a creamier texture.
- Store in a covered container for up to three days. Delicious alone or piled high on multigrain with accompanying veggies.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
Made it? Leave a comment below!
The most helpful comment may include recipe rating, feedback, any modifications or helping other commentors.
Was not expecting it to be as good as it was!
Yay! Thank you for sending a smile Sharon!
I made it to serve to my daughter and son-in-law, but I loved it too!
Great flavors!
Hii Carol! Hooray! So glad y’all are enjoying the salad!
I used to make this years ago. Now returning to it as I’ve switched to blue-collar life, am now a pescatarian, and require food I could keep cold in my lunchbox that’s protein forward. Also, my friends loved it when I made this for them as well and have begged for the recipe!
Hi Billie! Hooray for a return to this smash up! I’m thrilled to hear your friends are enjoying it too. Thank you for sharing!
This is my new favorite sandwich-so fresh, tasty, healthy!
I make this all the time! We’re not even vegetarian but I no longer crave tuna sandwiches because this is better. I add grated carrots and defrosted peas to mine!
That’s amazing Rachelle! I LOVE hearing this!
My wife hates mustard with a passion. Can you taste it? Wondering if there is an alternative?
Hi Jamie… the whole grain mustard adds a lot of flavor to this sandwich. It is somewhat vinegary so, if you leave it out, I’d add a bit more pickle juice or apple cider vinegar to taste. I hope this helps and y’all enjoy the sammie!
This replaces Tuna for me. I have discovered more recently that tuna in a can has become more “fishy” smelling and tasting and I am not a fan. This satisfies my tuna cravings!! AND has been a staple in our home for a while now. Thanks for the refresh on the ingredients!! Soooo good!
Yes, Barbara! SO happy to receive your note and thrilled you’ve found an alternative to tuna (my go-to as well!).
I made up this recipe this morning so it would nice and cold later. Lunch came along found out out of bread, took off to the store ASAP. Came back and had such a delicious sandwich. Thanks for recipe
LOL
Oh nooooo… the worst, especially when you want to make that sammie asap! Thank you for your note and FIVE star rating Candy!! SO happy to read it.
Yum! I kept it super simple and just added relish, vinegar and vegan mayo-really tasty! I topped with sprouts which I loved more than I expected. I smashed the chick peas with a pastry blender tool and it worked perfectly. I should have read all the reviews with tips first-some good ones in there I’ll try next time!
Wooo! Thank you for your note, star rating and tips, Jackie. Aren’t the sprouts so nice on this?
Delicious…I also added some chopped celery.
YESssss to the chopped celery! Thank you for your note and rating, Cecilia! Day made!