Carrot Chickpea Salad (Healthy & High-Fiber)

This carrot chickpea salad with honey mustard dressing is a fresh, protein-rich dish that’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a healthy everyday meal.

For more healthy Mediterranean recipes, check out our Greek lentil salad, chickpea cucumber salad, Greek orzo salad, and Mediterranean chopped salad.

This carrot chickpea salad with honey mustard dressing is one of those recipes that feels as good as it tastes 🥕. It’s light, crunchy, and full of fresh flavor, yet hearty enough to keep you satisfied at lunch or dinner.

The star is the chickpeas, which soak up the tangy-sweet honey mustard marinade. Combined with juicy carrots, crisp cucumber, and toasted almonds, every bite is a balance of freshness and crunch. It’s a simple way to enjoy more plant-based protein and fiber without any fuss.

Louise and I love making this when we want a quick, wholesome lunch. It’s perfect for quick vegetarian meal prep, keeps well in the fridge, and makes a vibrant side for family dinners 🌿.

Naturally low in saturated fats and full of color, this salad fits beautifully into a Mediterranean chickpea recipe lineup. Healthy, tasty, and easy to make 🥗.

Find complete ingredient list, quantities, and substitutions in the recipe box at the bottom of the page.

• Carrots: Freshly grated give the best crunch and natural sweetness. Pre-grated carrots work in a pinch, but they’re often dry, woody, and lack that juicy bite you get from grating them yourself.
• Chickpeas: Canned and drained for convenience. Use cooked lentils or white beans for a twist on this Mediterranean carrot recipe.
• Cucumber: Adds freshness and hydration. Swap with diced celery, radish, or even fennel for a peppery bite.
• Shallot: Milder than onion. Use red onion, green onion, or chives for a gentler flavor.
• Parsley: Bright and herbaceous. Try cilantro for zest, dill for freshness, or basil for a softer note.
• Raisins: Sweet balance to the tangy dressing. Substitute dried cranberries, chopped dates, or golden raisins.
• Almonds: Add crunch. Swap with pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts for a heart healthy salad upgrade.

For the dressing:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Best for smooth flavor. Use avocado oil or walnut oil for nutty richness.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Tangy and sharp. Replace with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or even white balsamic.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds creaminess and zing. Swap with yellow mustard, stone-ground mustard, or a little tahini for creaminess.
• Honey: Natural sweetness. Use maple syrup for vegan, agave nectar for lighter flavor, or date syrup for a caramel note.
• Oregano: Classic Mediterranean herb. Try thyme, Italian seasoning, or za’atar for a Middle Eastern spin.
• Salt & Pepper: Essential for balance. Consider smoked salt or crushed red pepper flakes for more depth.

In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy. This will be both your dressing and the marinade.

Step 2 — Marinate the Chickpeas

Add drained, rinsed chickpeas to the bowl. Toss to coat well, then let them sit while you prep the veggies. The short soak infuses flavor and turns this into a standout chickpea salad with honey mustard.

Peel the carrots, then grate them. Use a food processor with a shredding disc, a box grater, a julienne peeler, or an electric salad shredder. Freshly grated carrots are juicy and crisp; pre-grated can be dry and a bit woody. Dice the cucumber, finely chop the shallot, and chop the parsley.

Step 4 — Combine and Toss

Add the grated carrots, cucumber, shallot, parsley, raisins, and toasted almonds to a large bowl. Pour in the marinated chickpeas with their dressing. Toss until everything looks glossy and evenly coated. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Serve right away for crunch, or chill for 15–30 minutes to meld flavors. It keeps well in the fridge and makes a healthy chickpea salad that’s an easy lunch salad idea for busy days.

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If you tried this Carrot Chickpea Salad Recipe or any other recipe on our blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it goes in the comments. We love hearing from you!