This delicious tahini kale salad features avocado and crunchy roasted chickpeas with creamy lime tahini dressing for a mouthwatering combo that’s packed with nutrition.

A kale salad with avocado, tahini sauce, chickpea and hemp seeds in a bowl with two pieces of lime beside it.
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Introduction
Highlights
Ingredient Notes
Variations & Additions
Step-by-Step Instructions
Recipe FAQs
Storing and Prep
What to Make Next
Roasted Chickpea Avocado Salad

Introduction

This tahini kale salad is refreshing, nourishing and so easy to make. With vibrant colours, a variety of textures and a tangy lime tahini dressing, it’s the perfect dish for a light summer meal.

This salad not only tastes amazing but it’s also rich in vitamins, minerals and more plant-based goodness, plus, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients to make it.

Why make this salad?

  1. Nutritional Powerhouse: Kale, avocado, chickpeas and hemp seeds provide a variety of nutrients including plant-based protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber.
  2. Quick and Easy: This recipe is easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or those new to cooking.
  3. Versatile and Customizable: This salad is easy to adapt to your preferences and dietary needs by swapping ingredients or adding extras.

Looking for more like this? This Tuscan kale salad, sweet potato kale salad, lentil kale salad, butternut squash quinoa salad, wild rice kale salad and kale quinoa chickpea salad will be right up your alley.

Let’s get into what you’ll need and how to make and customize the recipe. When you’re ready to cook, use the printable recipe card at the end of the post for the full ingredient list and instructions.

Highlights

  • Vegan.
  • Gluten-free.
  • Nut-free.
  • Minimal prep and ready in 40 minutes.
  • Prep in advance for quick assembly.
  • Light but filling plant-based meal.
  • Serves 4 as main dish.
  • Serves 6-8 as side salad.
  • 13 g fiber per serving.
  • 19 g protein per serving.

Ingredient Notes

Visual of ingredients for a chickpea avocado kale salad labelled with text overlay.

The complete list of ingredients with measurements is located in the recipe card below.

  • Tahini: Good tahini should be smooth, creamy, easy to drizzle and have an earthy, slightly sweet flavour. You may have to try a few brands in your area to find one you love.
  • Chickpeas: You can use canned chickpeas or cook your own from scratch.
  • Kale: This can be substituted with baby spinach, romaine or arugula.
  • Hemp Seeds: These are optional for added nutrition. Substitute them with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds if you like.
  • Lime: You can substitute lemon.
  • Maple Syrup: Substitute with honey or agave syrup.

Variations & Additions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Before you Start: Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Step 1: Roast the Chickpeas

Here’s how to make the roasted chickpeas:

  1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and place them on a dish towel.
  2. Fold the towel over them and roll them around until they’re nearly dry. You can also pat them with paper towel rather than a cloth. The drier they are, the crispier they’ll come out. If some of the skins come off, that’s ok, just pick them out.
  3. Place the chickpeas on a baking sheet and drizzle with the oil, salt and pepper. Roll them around to coat.
  4. Roast the chickpeas for 30-35 minutes until golden.
  5. Let them cool on the pan. They will get crispier as they cool.

Quick Tip: If you have leftover roasted chickpeas, let them cool completely on the pan then store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Roasted chickpea on a baking tray.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

Make the salad dressing by adding all the ingredients to any container and whisking together until smooth and creamy.

Creamy tahini dressing in a small glass with a spoon in it.

Step 3: Massage the Kale

Wash the kale then remove the leaves from the tough stems. Discard the stems and finely chop the leaves. Add the kale to a large bowl with 1/2 tsp oil. Massage and squeeze the kale with your hands until it’s dark green and softened.

Chopped kale that's massaged in oil in a large glass mixing bowl.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Divide the kale, avocado, chickpeas and hemp seeds between 4 bowls, drizzle each with the dressing and enjoy!

Hand drizzling a spoonful of tahini over a chickpea avocado kale salad.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the tahini dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the tahini dressing ahead of time. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before using, give it a good stir and adjust the consistency by adding a bit of water if needed.

Can I substitute another green for kale?

Yes, for sure! I like kale for its robust texture, you can substitute it with other leafy greens such as spinach, arugula, Romaine or mixed salad greens.

Can I adjust the seasoning in the tahini dressing?

Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the seasoning in the tahini dressing according to your taste preferences.

If you prefer a more garlicky flavor, increase the amount of garlic powder. You can also substitute 2 cloves grated garlic for garlic powder, if you prefer.

For a tangier dressing, add more lime or lemon juice. Similarly, if you prefer a sweeter or saltier taste, adjust the amount of maple syrup or sea salt accordingly.

A bowl of kale salad with chickpeas, avocado and hemp seeds in a creamy dressing.

Storing and Prep

  • Best served fresh but the assembled salad can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days. If you leave the avocado off until serving it will keep 3-4 days.
  • To prep in advance, make the chickpeas and tahini sauce and store up to 5 days.
  • The kale can also be washed, chopped and stored ahead of time for quicker assembly.
  • Short on time? Skip roasting the chickpeas and just use canned chickpeas.

What to Make Next

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Overhead view of a salad with roasted chickpeas, avocado and a creamy dressing.

Roasted Chickpea Avocado Salad

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Category: Salad
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

This salad is filling, nourishing, full of flavour and easy to make. The roasted chickpeas provide the perfect crunch against the creamy avocado and the tahini lime dressing adds so much flavour, you might just wanna lick the bowl.

Ingredients

For the Tahini Dressing

  • 5 tbsp (75 g) tahini 
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp water, or more to adjust consistency
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup

For the Roasted Chickpeas

For the Kale Salad 

  • 6 cups finely chopped kale 
  • 1/2 tsp olive oil
  • 2 avocado, peeled, pit removed and sliced
  • 8 tbsp hemp seeds 

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Prepare the chickpeas by draining them and giving them a thorough rinse. Place them on a dish towel, fold it over them and roll them around until they’re near completely dry. The drier they are, the crispier they will get. If some of the skins come off that’s good, you can pick those out. For the crispiest chickpeas, remove all the skins.
  3. Place the dried chickpeas on a baking tray and drizzle them with the olive oil, salt and pepper, rolling around so they’re all coated. Roast for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool on the pan.
  4. To make the dressing, add all the ingredients to a container and whisk until smooth and creamy, slowly adding more water to adjust the consistency if needed.
  5. Finely chop the kale and drizzle it with the olive oil. Massage it with your hands for about a minute until it’s all dark green and softens.
  6. Either create 1 large salad by mixing everything together in a serving or mixing bowl or my preferred method, divide the kale between 4 servings or bowls, top with equal amounts of the sliced avocado, chickpea and hemp seeds and drizzle each with the dressing until you’ve used it all up. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storing: Best served fresh but can be stored 1-2 days in the fridge if you’re already added the avocado. If you leave the avocado off until serving, it will keep for 3-4 days. If you want to make it in advance for quick assembly, make the chickpeas and tahini dressing in advance and store up to 5 days. Kale can be chopped in advanced and stored for a few days as well.

Hemp seeds can be substituted with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Kale can be substituted with any other leafy green.

Keywords: tahini kale salad, kale salad with tahini dressing.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @runningonrealfood on Instagram and don’t forget to leave your review below.

Originally pubslihed on August 1, 2018.