I pack my lunch for work 98% of the time. I need meals that keep me full without making me drowsy. Not eating meals like pasta and large sandwiches for lunch help. Chickpea Salad with Black Beans and Feta is the perfect dish for fighting afternoon yawns. It’s a light, high protein meal that’s low in carbs. Pair it with some sides like fruit or yogurt and you’re set until dinner.
Here’s Why Chickpea Salad is a Great Packed Lunch Option.
Eating lunch out during the work week is costly. The average cost of lunch is around $8-$10. Who has $50 to spend on lunch every week? Soups, salads and leftovers are on my lunch menu most often. They’re cost effective, easy to eat in an office environment, and often low in carbs. Having leftovers helps by reducing wasted food and some things like soups and chilis taste better on day two. Chickpea salad is a good recipe to add to the rotation. The ingredients are inexpensive and you get multiple servings out of it stretching your lunch money out.
In addition to this being cost effective, it has other advantages as a lunch option as well.
- The protein from the beans keeps you fueled for the rest of the day.
- The fiber from the beans and vegetables keeps your stomach from rumbling.
- The light dressing for it doesn’t weigh you or the salad down and provides healthy fat your body needs.
- Even though this Chickpea Salad is great on its own, it goes great as a side dish. Dinners like Grilled Shrimp, Monterey Chicken, or Steak.
Chickpea Salad with Black Beans and Feta
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 1 Can Chickpeas, Drained and Rinsed
- 1 Can Black Beans, Drained and Rinsed
- ¼ of a Red Onion, Diced
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, Diced
- 1 Medium Tomato Diced or ½ Cup Grape Tomatoes Halved
- 4 oz. Crumbled Feta Cheese
- Small Handful of Parsley, Chopped
- For the Dressing:
- 1 Small Lemon, Juiced. About 3 TBs juice
- 3 Tbs. Olive Oil
- ¾ tsp. Salt
- ¼ tsp. Pepper
- 1 Garlic Clove, Minced, Grated or Pasted
Instructions
- Combine the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Mix all dressing ingredients together and blend well.
- Allow salad to chill in the refrigerator for an hour or so to let the flavors blend together.
Enjoy!
Chickpea salad with black beans is very good. I did however put chopped up spinach instead of parsley and added chopped hot peppers. I will make this again.
Sounds like some great additions and substitutions Amanda! Thanks for sharing!