The temperatures are rising so fast here in Michigan that it feels like summer already! Finally, we can get out of the house without jackets and enjoy outdoor activities. Oh yes, and we found watermelon at the store (happy days are here again, super excited)!
My family loves watermelons. We generally eat it just like that or make watermelon mint juice. But this time I wanted to try a new salad recipe with it.
What’s this new salad recipe all about?
Watermelon avocado and chickpeas salad is a refreshing summer salad that is crispy, creamy, and tangy. It is a quick and easy recipe that makes a wholesome meal as well as an interesting side dish.
What will I need to make Watermelon Avocado Chickpea salad?
Ingredients required
I will divide the ingredients in 3 categories based on the taste and texture they bring to this salad.
1.Sweet and Crispy: Watermelon, cucumber, tomato
2.Creamy: Avocado and chickpeas
3.Tangy: Balsamic vinegar, lime and chaat masala (dressing)
Other ingredients: Olive Oil, crushed pepper, cumin powder and salt for dressing ; Cilantro for garnish
Tip: Balsamic Vinegar can be replaced by Apple cider vinegar + Sugar/maple syrup or Rice Vinegar + Sugar/maple syrup
If you can’t find avocados easily, just skip it. The salad will taste good even without it.
READ: How to cook chickpeas in Instant Pot
Bringing it all together
In a small bowl, mix all ingredients for the dressing and stir it together. Combine all the fruits, veggies, chickpeas, and cilantro into a big bowl.
Pour the dressing into the salad and toss to coat. Salad is ready to serve.
How do I serve this summer salad?
You can serve this as a wholesome meal (for the health-conscious 😉 ) or a side dish. It will be a great addition to your summer barbeque party.
This salad goes well with burgers, sandwiches, soups etc.
It tastes best when served soon after putting it together. Watermelons get soggy and avocados turn brown quickly.
Some variations you can try
For Salad leaves fans: Add arugula. It goes very well with watermelon.
For Cheese lovers: Add feta cheese. Watermelon and feta cheese is another fantastic combination.
Watermelon Avocado Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cubed watermelon
- 1 medium avocado (cubed)
- 1 cup cubed cucumber
- 1 tomato (cubed)
- 2 cups cooked chickpeas
- cilantro
Salad Dressing
- 1 tsp olive oil (extra virgin)
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar (substitute in notes)
- 1 lime (or lemon)
- 1/4 tsp cumin Powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chaat masala (optional- check notes)
Instructions
Make the dressing
- In a small bowl, mix all ingredients for the dressing. Stir it together.
Make the salad
- Combine all the fruits, veggies, chickpeas, and cilantro into a big bowl.
- Pour the dressing into the salad and toss to coat.
- Salad is ready to serve.
Notes
- You can use canned chickpeas as well. 1 cup cooked chickpeas are approximately 3/4th can.
- You can cook chickpeas in Instant Pot very easily. It is healthier than canned chickpeas and budget friendly.
- Balsamic Vinegar can be replaced by Apple cider vinegar + Sugar/maple syrup or Rice Vinegar + Sugar/maple syrup
- If you don’t have chaat masala you can simply add cumin powder, red chilli powder, black salt and dry mango powder or make your own chaat masala. This recipe by The Spruce eats can be made in just 20 mins.
More recipes to try out
It looks very yummy n colourful.