BBQ Chickpea Salad with mixed greens and stovetop bbq chickpeas and fresh vegetables served with creamy hemp heart ranch.

Happy Fourth of July weekend, everyone!

It’s been hot hot in Virginia and I want to talk salad.

I’ve never really understood the whole side salad thing.

Have you?

When I order them in restaurants I always end up mixing it with the main course to make an eclectic but scrumptious mess.

Salad might be the last thing on your mind this weekend, but then you haven’t tried this BBQ Chickpea Salad with Creamy Hemp Heart Ranch yet.

Because if you had you wouldn’t be able to get over these flavors.

You’re going to love the mix of smoky sweet warm chickpeas with fresh raw chopped veg, all tied together with a creamy hemp heart ranch.

This recipe was inspired by a salad from “Salad Samurai” by Terry Hope Romero.

I love this book because it takes salad making to the next freakin’ level.

No “wimpy” salads can be found in this gem, friends.

Each page reveals a new protein packed salad with realistic serving sizes, unique flavors, and creative ingredients.

Basically, they make salads that are so much more than salads.

They’re MEALS.

What You Need to Make BBQ Chickpea Salad

Here’s what you need:

tomato paste
Tamari Lite
maple syrup
chickpeas
avocado oil spray
nutritional yeast
mixed salad greens
red onion
cherry tomatoes
shredded carrots
avocado

That’s it!

What You Need to Make Hemp Heart Ranch

Here’s what you need for the dressing:

hemp hearts
filtered water
nutritional yeast
lemon juice
garlic powder
black pepper
Himalayan sea salt

That’s it!

Have you ever had BBQ chickpeas before?

I thought for the longest time that BBQ sauce was a really complicated thing to make.

Turns out that all you really need is a bit of tomato paste, maple syrup, and tamari to make a smoky sweet base.

Add in nooch for a subtle cheesy taste.

Crispy chickpeas pair per perfectly with the homemade BBQ sauce to take on the subtle sweetness.

Warning: If you taste test one or two from the pan, it’s impossible to stop. they’re like candy!

How to Make Hemp Heart Ranch

You know that a salad dressing has got to be pretty fantastic if I’m obsessed with it and it doesn’t require tahini as the first ingredient.

Yes friends, I’ve finally found a non-tahini based favorite!

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably see me sprinkle hemp hearts on everything.

They’re the perfect elegant flourish for any dish.

This protein powerhouse is also great blended into a dressing.

The result is a creamy light dip that is perfect for drizzling on all of your favorite summer bowls.

More Summer Salads

I Want to Hear From You

If you make this BBQ Chickpea Salad with Hemp Heart Ranch recipe, let me know!

Be sure to leave me a comment, rating, and review so I can use your feedback to create more yums.

Give me a shout on Instagram and use #floraandvino to show me your creations.

Check out my Pinterest page to pin more recipes like this one to make later.

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XO Lauren