🥗 Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad with Orange Vinaigrette (Mediterranean Style)
📝 Description
Cranberry Walnut Chickpea Salad with Orange Vinaigrette is a fresh, vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad that balances sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors beautifully. Creamy chickpeas, crunchy walnuts, and chewy dried cranberries are tossed with greens and a zesty orange vinaigrette made with olive oil and citrus. It’s hearty enough for a light meal, elegant enough for gatherings, and perfect for make-ahead lunches.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
Salad
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2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1½ cans, drained & rinsed)
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⅓ cup dried cranberries
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½ cup walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped
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3 cups mixed greens or baby spinach
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¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
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Optional: ¼ cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
Orange Vinaigrette
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¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
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Zest & juice of 1 large orange
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1 tsp Dijon mustard
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1 tsp honey or maple syrup
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
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Prepare the Salad Base
In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cranberries, walnuts, greens, and red onion. -
Make the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, orange zest and juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. -
Combine
Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss gently to coat. -
Finish & Serve
Add feta or goat cheese if using. Taste and adjust seasoning.
🍽 Serving Ideas
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As a light lunch with warm pita
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Alongside roasted chicken or fish
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As a festive holiday salad
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Stuffed into wraps or lettuce cups
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A: Yes—prep ingredients and dressing separately. Toss together just before serving for best texture.
Q: Is this salad vegan?
A: It is naturally vegan if you skip the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
Q: What can I use instead of walnuts?
A: Almonds, pecans, or pistachios work beautifully.
Q: Can I use fresh cranberries?
A: Dried are best for balance, but finely chopped fresh cranberries can work if lightly sweetened.
Q: How long does it keep?
A: Stored in the fridge, it stays fresh up to 2 days once dressed.
