Description
A fresh and crunchy no-lettuce salad packed with vibrant cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, hearty garbanzo beans, and a zesty balsamic dressing. This easy and protein-rich salad is perfect as a light meal, a side dish, or even a dip!
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 15 oz. garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, minced
- 5–6 mini cucumbers, sliced into half-moons
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp everything bagel seasoning (or more to taste)
- 2 cups 2% cottage cheese (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, mince the red onion, and slice the mini cucumbers into half-moons.
- Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans to remove excess sodium.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together the garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumbers.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble and serve: Scoop cottage cheese onto a serving plate or bowl, layer the salad mixture on top, and sprinkle with extra everything bagel seasoning.
- Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours.
Notes
- Swap garbanzo beans with cannellini or black beans for variation.
- Replace cottage cheese with feta or ricotta for a different texture.
- Add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or almonds for extra crunch.
- Serve with toasted bread, crackers, or pita for a fun dipping experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: ~422 kcal
- Sugar: ~18g
- Sodium: ~450mg
- Fat: ~15g
- Saturated Fat: ~3g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~12g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~52g
- Fiber: ~11g
- Protein: ~24g
- Cholesterol: ~12mg
Keywords: No Lettuce Salad, Healthy Salad, Vegetarian Salad, Garbanzo Bean Salad, Easy Salad Recipe, High-Protein Salad, Gluten-Free Salad, No-Cook Salad