This curried chickpea salad sandwich is easy to prepare, super filling and so incredibly tasty. This one has dried apricots for a little sweetness, chopped walnuts for crunch and lemon juice for some brightness. Mix up your lunch routine with this delicious vegetarian mashed chickpea sandwich!
Hi friends! I’m super happy with this recipe!
Why?
Because hubby was skeptical.
He was like “Chickpeas on a sandwich?”
So, being hard-headed like I am, I was determined to prove him wrong.
And, guess what?
I did!
Score 1 for Dawn!!
No lie, it’s on a regular rotation for us! Mashed chickpeas on a sandwich is definitely a thing (and delicious at that)!
This curried chickpea salad sandwich is such a great alternative to a salad sandwich with, say, chicken, tuna or egg (not that I don’t love those too).
And hello picnic season! So perfect for a little outing with a nice cold glass of lemonade, don’t ya think? Sold yet?
How To Make Curried Chickpea Salad
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Place rinsed and drained chickpeas in a processor.
- Process (using the “Pulse” feature) until chickpeas are broken down a little. You want broken down pieces and some whole pieces. There’s no going wrong here, really, just make the texture that you like. Tip: Definitely don’t puree to a paste, you want some texture in those chickpeas.
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and pepper.
- Grab a bowl and put the chickpeas in there along with chopped dried apricots, walnuts, green onion and mayonnaise/yogurt mixture. Stir to combine.
Then portion the chickpea salad onto bread and garnish as you like (or enjoy as is with crackers).
Tips for Making This Recipe
- A food processor was used to break down the chickpeas, but you could totally use a potato masher if you like. It will likely take a little more time, though.
- Don’t break the chickpeas down to mush. We don’t want a spread here. Most chickpeas should be broken or smashed and a few can be left whole.
- Prefer to have this chickpea salad sandwich with Greek yogurt only? Omit the mayonnaise! I used a combo of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt here, but you could totally use all yogurt or all mayo if you like. The mayo gives a little richness which I love.
- I prefer to use a seedy bread for this sandwich because it adds a lovely texture.
- All slices of bread are not created equal and can vary in size. This recipe yields enough for two super hearty sandwiches or 4 smaller ones. If your slices of bread are larger or smaller, the quantity you yield may vary. Or, if you’re super hungry, maybe you just feel like piling that goodness on!
Recipe Variations
- Not a fan of curry?ย You can omit and replace with your favourite spice. A pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika or even chipotle powder works great! Start withย a little and add to taste.
- Add-in options! Instead of dried apricots, try raisins or dates. Looking for more crunch and freshness? Diced apple, pear, peach or chopped grapes are lovely options.
- Rather a more savoury vibe? Try diced bell pepper.
- Don’t have walnuts? Use some chopped almonds or cashews instead.
- Not feeling bread? Try this mashed chickpea recipe on a tortilla or use for lettuce wraps.
More Yummy Recipes
If you make this curried chickpea salad sandwich, be sure to leave a comment below!
Curried Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
Chickpea Salad Ingredients
- 1 (19-ounce) can no salt added chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, or more if you want things creamier
- 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice, from about 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ยฝ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ยฝ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- โ cup walnuts, roughly chopped
- 6 to 8 dried apricots, chopped
- 2 stalks green onion, chopped
Other Sandwich Ingredients
- Mayonnaise, to taste
- Dijon mustard, to taste
- 4 slices sandwich bread, use your favourite variety
- Baby kale, baby spinach or arugula, to taste
Instructions
- Place chickpeas in a food processor and press the "Pulse" feature several times until the chickpeas have broken down slightly (or you've reached your desired consistency). Don't overmix! Don't have a food processor? Place chickpeas in a bowl and mash with a potato masher.
- In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, curry powder, salt and black pepper until well combined.
- Remove chickpeas from processor, place in a bowl and add mayonnaise/yogurt mixture, walnuts, dried apricots and green onion. Stir until well combined. Taste for seasoning and add more to taste, if necessary.
- To assemble the sandwiches: Spread mayonnaise and/or mustard over one side of all four bread slices. Distribute chickpea mixture between two of the slices. Garnish, as desired, with baby kale, spinach or arugula.ย Top with remaining slices of bread (with mayonnaise side on the inside) to form the sandwiches. Serve and enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
ยฉ Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Such a great way to enjoy chickpeas and I love the curry flavours. The added apricot is brilliant. Must bring a lovely fresh note ๐
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Jennifer ๐
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
Oh these husbands sometimes are sceptical when it comes to food, right? ๐ I do love chickpeas, and I add it everywhere from salads and frittata to pasta and stews. Excellent idea with sandwiches! And as a huge fan of sweet&savoury combos, I do like the addition of dried apricots. Lovely.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol!! Thank you Ben! Love sweet and savoury combos ๐
Laura
I love this idea, Dawn! Brilliant! Just in time for meatless Monday, a tradition Iโm hoping to talk my family into. Ha! Sometimes I slip it by them,so maybe if I donโt name it, and just do it, theyโll never be the wiser. On my must-make list! Thanks!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol! Thank you Laura! Hope you and your family love it ๐
Stephanie
I’m a big fan of chickpeas and this looks AMAZING Dawn! I love the addition of apricots and walnuts in this. I’m putting this salad on my to do list.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Same here! Thank you so much, Stephanie ๐ Hope you love it!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
We always have a can of chickpeas in the cupboard, as we are always making hummus, or adding them to salads! Love this as a new way to enjoy chickpeas, and it’s something the hubby will eat too! Bonus ๐
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks Leanne! Enjoy ๐
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
What a super fun, easy recipe! I’m always looking for lunch recipes because I’m ALWAYS in a lunch rut! LOL! This one totally fits the bill! Easy, flavorful, low maintenance and delicious! Yes please!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol! Thank you Haylie! It’s a yummy one, for sure ๐
mimi rippee
I absolutely love what you did here. The choice of ingredients is endless, really, which is what’s so enticing to me! Back in the old days when we took family road trips, I’d make my then-vegetarian husband and myself white bean dip sandwiches. The kids always complained because our car smelled like garlic! But that’s kind of what I expected from your recipe name. I was pleasantly and happily surprised!!! These are way more fun!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Mimi ๐ Those sandwiches sound delicious too…love garlic! Hope you’re having a lovely week!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Gotta love it when you prove them wrong – especially when it comes to food! This does look fantastic and is a great change from our regular sandwiches.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Haha…true ๐ Thank you Kathy!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I’m just loving the flavor combination of this chickpea salad sandwich Dawn. Curry is my favorite and paired with the apricots is just delicious! Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mary Ann ๐ It really is a yummy combo!
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
Oh yes! What a fabulous idea for the sandwich – the apricots are such a lovely touch!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Alexandra! They really add something special ๐
Katherine | Love In My Oven
I’m commenting again only because I realized I forgot AGAIN to give your recipe a rating!! ๐
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks Katherine ๐
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
This is my DREAM sandwich. I LOVE chickpeas and curries. And I was just thinking that I want to go on a picnic soon–I’m totally taking these when I do :). They look AWESOME! Have a great week, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
YAY! So happy to hear that ๐ Hope you love ’em! Thank you Kelsie! Have a great week too.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Now that is a different sandwich…it really sounds good.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Karen! It’s delicious ๐
Katherine | Love In My Oven
My hubby would totally be skeptical of this too, but he’d be willing to give it a try, so now I have to make this!! It looks so good, Dawn. It’s a nice easy lunch to take along on a picnic this summer! And you know I’m all about anything curried ๐ Hope you had a nice weekend my friend!
annie@ciaochowbambina
Chickpeas and curry? I love it!! Nothing like a hearty sandwich to get you through the workday! Have a happy Sunday, my friend! XOXO
Kelly | Foodtasia
Dawn, this is brilliant! I love mayo based salads but I never thought to make one with chickpeas! Love the apricots in it. It looks so good on that seeded bread!